I sponged Tami Nail Polish Skibo Sunset and Gleneagles Glamour over Nails Inc Piccadilly Circus and then stamped the stars with Sascha Gossen YS11 and Barry M Cotton.
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| Sascha Gossen YS11 and Barry M Cotton |
Showing posts with label Barry M Cotton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barry M Cotton. Show all posts
Wednesday, 18 May 2016
May Challenges - Pink Galaxy
Yesterday's challenge was Pink Galaxy for #ggfnachallenge.
I sponged Tami Nail Polish Skibo Sunset and Gleneagles Glamour over Nails Inc Piccadilly Circus and then stamped the stars with Sascha Gossen YS11 and Barry M Cotton.
I sponged Tami Nail Polish Skibo Sunset and Gleneagles Glamour over Nails Inc Piccadilly Circus and then stamped the stars with Sascha Gossen YS11 and Barry M Cotton.
Tuesday, 10 May 2016
May Challenges - Lace and Born Pretty BPL-030
This week's smoosh was a special editon for Mother's Day (not UK Mother's day - the rest of the world Mother's Day!) so the colours were white, glitter and our choice - I went for blue, because I love blue!!
I used OPI Road House Blues, 'Ard As Nails White Van Girl and OPI Which is Witch?
I am not sure I got as much glitter as I should have but I think it looked pretty and I liked the indigo blue with the white.
The prompt was Lace for #ggfnachallenge - the perfect opportunity to use Born Pretty BPL-030 which had been sent to me by Born Pretty for review -product code is 21816, available here
I started with Kleancolor Neon Sapphire and this worked really well with the plate - it stamped beautifully. I used a more open design as I was stamping blue over blue.This is a lovely plate with a nice mixture of mostly floral lacy designs, laid out well on the plate and because the images were basically 3 longs strips of pattern it seemed to be more flexible for longer nails. My nails are not particularly long but small images can be a real pain.
Then for my second layer I used Barry M Cotton and a more solid pattern. Cotton is not fully opaque so the blues still showed through and resulted in a really pretty mosaic style.
I am really happy with this plate, and I have already used it again. I was also pretty pleased with the final mani.
I used OPI Road House Blues, 'Ard As Nails White Van Girl and OPI Which is Witch?
I am not sure I got as much glitter as I should have but I think it looked pretty and I liked the indigo blue with the white.
The prompt was Lace for #ggfnachallenge - the perfect opportunity to use Born Pretty BPL-030 which had been sent to me by Born Pretty for review -product code is 21816, available here
I started with Kleancolor Neon Sapphire and this worked really well with the plate - it stamped beautifully. I used a more open design as I was stamping blue over blue.This is a lovely plate with a nice mixture of mostly floral lacy designs, laid out well on the plate and because the images were basically 3 longs strips of pattern it seemed to be more flexible for longer nails. My nails are not particularly long but small images can be a real pain.
Then for my second layer I used Barry M Cotton and a more solid pattern. Cotton is not fully opaque so the blues still showed through and resulted in a really pretty mosaic style.
I am really happy with this plate, and I have already used it again. I was also pretty pleased with the final mani.
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| #smooshattack |
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| Born Pretty BPL-030 and Kleancolour Neon Sapphire |
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| Born Pretty BPL-030 and Barry M Cotton |
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| BPL-030 |
Monday, 9 May 2016
April Challenges - Butterflies and Born Pretty BP-74
Last week's smoosh was light grey, berry pink/red and bright blue. I used Nails Inc When Doves Cry, Piccadilly Circus and Baker Street.
The #clairestelle8april prompt was Butterflies, which seemed like the ideal opportunity to use the plate Born Pretty sent me to review. I don't think you can ever have too many butterfly plates and this is a really pretty one, which comes with a nice cardboard sleeve. The plate is BP-74, item number 20791.
There is a nice mix of different butterfly images considering it is a small plate and includes a dragonfly image too. I went for the more solid image for my first layer as I was stamping white over some quite pale areas of my smoosh, and I wanted to create a more consistent pale base for the second layer of black stamping where I went for more of a detailed image.
I did have some difficulty with this plate. It is not very deeply etched and I found my white stamping polishes would not pick up at all - I think they just dried too quickly. In the end I found that I needed only a very light scrape and I managed to use Barry M Cotton reasonably successfully for my first layer of stamping.
I had the same problem with the second layer but eventually had success with Colour Alike Kind of Black.
I was pleased with the final mani but it took a long time and a lot of frustration! I have since tried again with the plate and still suffering the same issues.
I was also sent 2 other plates for review - both are absolutely fine and I think I was just unlucky with one as friends have used this plate with no problems.
The #clairestelle8april prompt was Butterflies, which seemed like the ideal opportunity to use the plate Born Pretty sent me to review. I don't think you can ever have too many butterfly plates and this is a really pretty one, which comes with a nice cardboard sleeve. The plate is BP-74, item number 20791.
There is a nice mix of different butterfly images considering it is a small plate and includes a dragonfly image too. I went for the more solid image for my first layer as I was stamping white over some quite pale areas of my smoosh, and I wanted to create a more consistent pale base for the second layer of black stamping where I went for more of a detailed image.
I did have some difficulty with this plate. It is not very deeply etched and I found my white stamping polishes would not pick up at all - I think they just dried too quickly. In the end I found that I needed only a very light scrape and I managed to use Barry M Cotton reasonably successfully for my first layer of stamping.
I had the same problem with the second layer but eventually had success with Colour Alike Kind of Black.
I was pleased with the final mani but it took a long time and a lot of frustration! I have since tried again with the plate and still suffering the same issues.
I was also sent 2 other plates for review - both are absolutely fine and I think I was just unlucky with one as friends have used this plate with no problems.
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| Smoosh! |
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| Born Pretty BP-74 and Barry M Cotton |
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| Born Pretty BP-74 and Colour Alike Kind of Black |
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| BP-74 |
Monday, 2 May 2016
April Challenges - #nailswithigfriends - Landscape
I was chosen to host this month's #nailswithigfriends - I was very nervous about this but in the end I chose landscape as the prompt as I felt that was sufficiently open for people decide what they might like to do.
I was so worried that no-one would send me a mani but in the end I had 17, which I think was OK. They were all lovely!
For my own mani I chose to surprise you all by NOT stamping! Inspired by one of the prompt photos I had used (from google) I went for a snowy mountain landscape using simple brush strokes and acrylic paints to create the layers of mountain ranges.
It wasn't quite as perfect as the image in my head - is it ever? but I think it was OK.
Finally, I just had to stamp over it and I was just looking at the Bundlemonster Secret Garden plates when I spotted the dandelions on BM-706.
Clearly out of context with the background, I decided that didn't matter and stamped them anyway using Barry M Cotton which is a wonderful polish for when you want white but you really don't need a crisp harsh white..
I was really pleased with the end result.
I was so worried that no-one would send me a mani but in the end I had 17, which I think was OK. They were all lovely!
For my own mani I chose to surprise you all by NOT stamping! Inspired by one of the prompt photos I had used (from google) I went for a snowy mountain landscape using simple brush strokes and acrylic paints to create the layers of mountain ranges.
It wasn't quite as perfect as the image in my head - is it ever? but I think it was OK.
Finally, I just had to stamp over it and I was just looking at the Bundlemonster Secret Garden plates when I spotted the dandelions on BM-706.
Clearly out of context with the background, I decided that didn't matter and stamped them anyway using Barry M Cotton which is a wonderful polish for when you want white but you really don't need a crisp harsh white..
I was really pleased with the end result.
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| #nailswithigfriends |
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| landscape |
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| Bundlemonster Secret Garden BM-706 and Barry M Cotton |
Friday, 29 April 2016
40 Great Nail Art Ideas - 3 Shades of Red / Orange and Tie Dye
I really wasn't sure how I was going to tackle this one but then wonderful @dreamymm did a stunning rainbow tie dye mani about a month ago, so basically I just did what she did! Thanks Mary!!
I used Moyou London Kaleidoscope 06 and Barry M Cotton with Above the Curve You Call me …Sexy, Donna and Akiko - 1 red and 2 oranges.
Mary has a great tutorial video for this on her You Tube and her IG, but basically it involves sponging the colours, stamping, sponging again, stamping again and a final sponging. Sounds simple if you say it quickly! I got through a lot of top coat as I top coated between each step being so nervous of smudging!
It looked really messy as I went along but I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
I used Moyou London Kaleidoscope 06 and Barry M Cotton with Above the Curve You Call me …Sexy, Donna and Akiko - 1 red and 2 oranges.
Mary has a great tutorial video for this on her You Tube and her IG, but basically it involves sponging the colours, stamping, sponging again, stamping again and a final sponging. Sounds simple if you say it quickly! I got through a lot of top coat as I top coated between each step being so nervous of smudging!
It looked really messy as I went along but I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome.
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| Moyou London Kaleidoscope 06 |
Thursday, 28 April 2016
April Challenges - Nautical
I tried another of the new Barry M Coconut Infusion range, this time Aloha, a lovely corally pink. Beautiful polish and a lot more wearable than I was expecting, so pretty.
Nautical for #clairestelle8april - I'd been thinking about not doing red or blue for this and then I saw Iva @secretjewelgarden do purple, so I used the corally pink - I used UberChic UC 2-03 and Barry M Cotton and ... for the very first time... my Clear Jumbo Stamper from Nail Artisan - for a first go I am really pleased with it. I need some practice but I am encouraged by my first use.
I couldn't quite resist the urge to test the Clear Jumbo Stamper a little bit more with some shadow stamping using 2 true Pro Metallica Aglaia and the same UberChic image. I probably should have chosen a better contrast but I thought subtle was good in case it was a disaster! One to revisit, I think.
Nautical for #clairestelle8april - I'd been thinking about not doing red or blue for this and then I saw Iva @secretjewelgarden do purple, so I used the corally pink - I used UberChic UC 2-03 and Barry M Cotton and ... for the very first time... my Clear Jumbo Stamper from Nail Artisan - for a first go I am really pleased with it. I need some practice but I am encouraged by my first use.
I couldn't quite resist the urge to test the Clear Jumbo Stamper a little bit more with some shadow stamping using 2 true Pro Metallica Aglaia and the same UberChic image. I probably should have chosen a better contrast but I thought subtle was good in case it was a disaster! One to revisit, I think.
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| Barry M Coconut Infusion Aloha |
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| UberChic UC 2-03 and Barry M Cotton |
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| UberChic UC 2-03 and 2 true Pro Metallica Aglaia |
40 Great Nail Art Ideas - Animals (and a few other manis along the way)
I hadn't actually planned to do the #40greatnailartideas over the green manis but I think it worked out OK.
Well, it is year end - hence the blogging is sparse and the manis are trying to be efficient so here goes.
I started with Barry M Coconut Infusion Bikini - A beautiful wearable green - I am loving these shades and when I have worn them all I will do a summary post.
Then I sponged on Nails Inc Moonlight Shadow, a lovely khaki green, one of the freebies from Marie Claire magazine earlier this year.
Then I used Barry M Black Pistachio and DRK Magic Garden for the Earth Day prompt for #firedazedchallenge.
Then Esmaltes da Kelly Bruce and DRK Magic Garden for the Green prompt for #clairestelle8april. The DRK Magic Garden plate is so beautiful, the images are just lovely and a bit larger than some of the other similar DRK plates which I think makes them so much more usable.
And finally, Barry M Cotton and Bundlemonster BM-S167 for Animals - these are so cute - really loving these Fuzzy and Ferocious little plates!
Well, it is year end - hence the blogging is sparse and the manis are trying to be efficient so here goes.
I started with Barry M Coconut Infusion Bikini - A beautiful wearable green - I am loving these shades and when I have worn them all I will do a summary post.
Then I sponged on Nails Inc Moonlight Shadow, a lovely khaki green, one of the freebies from Marie Claire magazine earlier this year.
Then I used Barry M Black Pistachio and DRK Magic Garden for the Earth Day prompt for #firedazedchallenge.
Then Esmaltes da Kelly Bruce and DRK Magic Garden for the Green prompt for #clairestelle8april. The DRK Magic Garden plate is so beautiful, the images are just lovely and a bit larger than some of the other similar DRK plates which I think makes them so much more usable.
And finally, Barry M Cotton and Bundlemonster BM-S167 for Animals - these are so cute - really loving these Fuzzy and Ferocious little plates!
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| Barry M Coconut Infusion Bikini |
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| Nails Inc Moonlight Shadow and Barry M Bikini |
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| Barry M Black Pistachio and DRK Magic Garden |
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| Esmaltes da Kelly Bruce and DRK Magic Garden |
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| Barry M Cotton and Bundlemonster BM-S167 |
Friday, 25 March 2016
40 Great Nail Art Ideas - Spring
I decided this was the perfect excuse to use Messy Mansion Tristaenia 06 Spring.
I was trying to decide what colours to use but it struck me the fruit mani I had just done was ideal, so I stamped right over it with Barry M Cotton.
I chose Cotton as it is not fully opaque so the colours still show through a bit. I didn't want a crisp harsh white and I like the way I can still see hints of the other stamping underneath. I also love those half and half stamping images.
I was trying to decide what colours to use but it struck me the fruit mani I had just done was ideal, so I stamped right over it with Barry M Cotton.
I chose Cotton as it is not fully opaque so the colours still show through a bit. I didn't want a crisp harsh white and I like the way I can still see hints of the other stamping underneath. I also love those half and half stamping images.
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| Messy Mansion Tristaenia 06 Spring |
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| Messy Mansion Tristaenia 06 Spring - matte |
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
March Challenges - Holi - Festival of colours
We had this challenge last year and I did pastel shades - this time I decided to go darker and brighter.
I did a sort of spongey smooshy thing with 6 bright colours and then I stamped with Messy Mansion Symetrika 04 and Barry M Cotton.
I think maybe I went a bit too dark, but the stamping helped brighten it up.
I did a sort of spongey smooshy thing with 6 bright colours and then I stamped with Messy Mansion Symetrika 04 and Barry M Cotton.
I think maybe I went a bit too dark, but the stamping helped brighten it up.
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| Messy Mansion Symetrika 04 and Barry M Cotton |
Tuesday, 22 March 2016
March Challenges - Easter (#1)
Easter for #twinsietuesdaynailart
I started with a single coat of Barry M Cotton and then painted stripes using Violet Rose Polishes Aldeburgh Blue, Green, Pink and Purple. Then I used Moyou London Fashionista 04 and Barry M Cotton.
I was quite pleased with how they turned out so I took loads of pictures!
I started with a single coat of Barry M Cotton and then painted stripes using Violet Rose Polishes Aldeburgh Blue, Green, Pink and Purple. Then I used Moyou London Fashionista 04 and Barry M Cotton.
I was quite pleased with how they turned out so I took loads of pictures!
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| Moyou London Fashionista 04 and Barry M Cotton |
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| Moyou London Fashionista 04 and Barry M Cotton - matte |
Friday, 6 November 2015
40 Great Nail Art Idea - Black and White - Reciprocal Gradient
This week's colours were black and white and my pattern was Reciprocal Gradient. When I first saw this, apart from my fear of tackling the unknown, my first thought was - OK, that's good, two nice contrasting colours - this should work well - er... maybe not.
I did also think, I wonder if I can do this with stamping since vinyls and I don't get on well!
Anyway, I decided to do it the proper way - here goes.
I started with a base of Barry M Cotton and then did my gradient with Barry M Cotton and A England Camelot. I usually get away with quite a rough gradient but with hindsight I should have made more effort so make this one a bit smoother. You'll see on the finished mani I should have extended the blended bit further in each direction too - of course if I had unlimited time I would have done it again but it's blogged as it is, and serves as a learning experience :)
I think the base gradient looks a bit like snow topped mountains!
Then once I had waited a good long time for the base to be properly dry, I got on to the vinyls part. These went quite well, and I tried not to get too obsessive about getting them parallel.
I did the sponging, removed the vinyls and hey presto - reciprocal gradient that was not a complete disaster. Definitely room for improvement as I mentioned above but it could have been a lot worse.
I did also think, I wonder if I can do this with stamping since vinyls and I don't get on well!
Anyway, I decided to do it the proper way - here goes.
I started with a base of Barry M Cotton and then did my gradient with Barry M Cotton and A England Camelot. I usually get away with quite a rough gradient but with hindsight I should have made more effort so make this one a bit smoother. You'll see on the finished mani I should have extended the blended bit further in each direction too - of course if I had unlimited time I would have done it again but it's blogged as it is, and serves as a learning experience :)
I think the base gradient looks a bit like snow topped mountains!
Then once I had waited a good long time for the base to be properly dry, I got on to the vinyls part. These went quite well, and I tried not to get too obsessive about getting them parallel.
I did the sponging, removed the vinyls and hey presto - reciprocal gradient that was not a complete disaster. Definitely room for improvement as I mentioned above but it could have been a lot worse.
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| black and white gradient |
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| black and white reciprocal gradient |
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
October Challenges - Quilted
The prompt for #30daysofcolourchallenge was Quilted. I was wondering what to do for this whilst making the bed one day last week and realised that I have a stamping plate with same image as the stitching on my pretty floral throwover, so that's how this design came about.
I had to try out my lovely new Sascha Gossen plates from Nail Artisan so I started with a leafy base using Esmaltes da Kelly Frogger and Yours Cosmetics Sascha Gossen YS06 over Jacava Kings Road.
Then, on a whim really, I decided to try stamping with OPI Skyfall as I had dug it out to use later. I was pleasantly surprised how well it stamped and I used it with YS06 to add flowers over the leafy base.
Then I added the quilty bit with Barry M Cotton and Born Pretty BP-L 003.
Finally I added a coat of OPI Matte top coat.
I had to try out my lovely new Sascha Gossen plates from Nail Artisan so I started with a leafy base using Esmaltes da Kelly Frogger and Yours Cosmetics Sascha Gossen YS06 over Jacava Kings Road.
Then, on a whim really, I decided to try stamping with OPI Skyfall as I had dug it out to use later. I was pleasantly surprised how well it stamped and I used it with YS06 to add flowers over the leafy base.
Then I added the quilty bit with Barry M Cotton and Born Pretty BP-L 003.
Finally I added a coat of OPI Matte top coat.
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| Esmaltes da Kelly Frogger and YS06 |
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| OPI Skyfall and YS06 |
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| Barry M Cotton and Born Pretty BP-L 003 |
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| Barry M Cotton and Born Pretty BP-L 003 - matte |
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