May Challenge - A Smoosh and Water Spotting

This week's smoosh was Cobalt Blue, Aqua and Silver - I used Nails Inc Instyle Oregon's Out (looks like Baker Street to me), Royal Botanical Gardens and Kate Spade Soho Silver.
Soho Silver is not really thick enough to smoosh with and the pictures are awful, not sure if it was poor light or what - it did look a lot better in real life.
Then the next prompt was Water Marble / Spotting for #firedazedchallenge - well you all know I don't do water marbling/spotting unless I can stamp it so here was a chance to use Hehe 081 which I have used with Essence Stampy 002. I think this worked well over the smoosh. This is a great plate, it has a central floral bit too like the others in this range but I just used the water spotting part for this mani.

#smooshynailsunday

Hehe 081 with Essence Stampy 002

 

40 Great Nail Art Ideas - Neons and Tribal

The colour prompt for this week's #40greatnailartideas was Neons and the pattern Prompt was Tribal.
I decided to a Cystic Fibrosis Awareness mani as my base and use neon purples - I have 3 purple neons that were sufficiently different, Virtuous Polish Queen Ester, China Glaze Violet-Vibes, and Kleancolor Neon Purple.
I splodged the China Glaze and Kleancolor on first and then used the Virtuous Polish with a small brush as it has pretty much dried up and is not much use for anything else now - a real dry brush mani!
I really liked how it turned out.
Then I stamped with MJ XXVIII and Avon Iceberg White. I haven't tried this Avon polish before but I liked how it stamped, not too harsh a white so the overall look was still very purple.

Purple Neon

 

MJ XXVIII with Avon Iceberg White

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

May Challenges - Coral and Glam!

I combined Coral for #clairestelle8may and Diva / Glam for #firedazedchallenge using Hehe Fairy Tale 002 with Colour Alike Iced Coffee over OPI Jinx. (Not really sure what Diva/Glam really is but lace and glitter seemed a good start)
My bottle of OPI Jinx is so tiny I doubt I'll get another mani out of it but it is currently looking very pretty on my toes as well as being used in this mani. Luckily, I have have a Golden Rose Holiday texture polish which is an almost perfect dupe!
It rained the whole day that I did this mani and I was really disappointed with the pictures I took standing on the porch. In the evening I added topcoat to the mani and although sometimes when I add topcoat to a texture I wish I hadn't, I think it worked well this time and the next day I did manage to get a couple more shots, including a matchy shot with my dress!

OPI Jinx

Hehe Fairy Tale 002 with Colour Alike Iced Coffee

 

 

 

May Challenges - Green and Black Stripey nails and some flowers

Last weekend was a very important day for my son's football team - they made it to the final of the local league cup - sadly they lost on penalties but it was a great match and I am a proud mummy!
Anyway, having promised my son no shouting from the sidelines or cheer-leading, I was allowed to do my nails in team colours.
They play in green and black stripes so I started with Nails Inc Emerald Street and then added the stripes with Essence Stampy 002 and Lealac LLC-A which is probably my most used stripe image - I like it as the stripes are wider than any other plate I have.

Then after the weekend I tried out one of my new Hehe plates over the green and black stripes - I am still a bit undecided how I am going to use these plates as they combine florals with other patterns so generally not conducive to double stamping but I am quite pleased with how this turned out.
I used Hehe 074 with  Moyou London White Knight, and then coloured the white with Kandy Colors Hey Girl and Glovelovers (my custom dark green).

Lealac LLC-A with Essence Stampy 002
over Nails Inc Emerald Street

Hehe 074

 

 

May Challenges - Blue and Purple for ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Awareness

I joined a facebook event to help raise awareness of ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia - hosted by @acertainbeccaa and @fairytalesnails.
This was one of those events that truly humbles you when you have a fit healthy family and no real idea of the pain and suffering some people go through. Follow the link up to see more manis for this awareness day and read about some peoples experiences.
This was my contribution using EDK polishes with Born Pretty BP-26 over Voilet Rose PolishesAldeburgh Blue and Purple.
These Violet Rose Polishes are quite sheer so I started with a white base, and then used 2 coats. They are so pretty so it's worth the extra effort of a white or pale base.
Then I stamped with Esmaltes da Kelly Wendy and Tuco and Born Pretty BP-26.

Esmaltes da Kelly Wendy and Tuco
with Born Pretty BP-26
over Voilet Rose Polish Aldeburgh Blue and Purple

An InLinkz Link-up

When Colours Collide - Purple and Pink and Born Pretty BPL-028

The most recent #whencolourscollide was purple and pink and I decided to go for a pale pink and dark purple gradient and then stamp with the vibrant Hit the Bottle Magenta at your own Risk. As usual I ended up double stamping, partly because that gave me two chances to try another gorgeous plate sent to me for review by Born Pretty.
Anyway, I started with Barry M Coconut Infusion Surfboard - I love this soft dusky pink and I think it might just be my favourite in the collection, sorry pretty blue Laguna! - OK joint favourite!
Then I did a quick gradient using Barry M Surfboard and Maybelline Noite de Gal. This went so well I did take some pictures - often my gradients are a bit messy and it doesn't matter as I stamp over them but I was particularly pleased with this one.
The plate I was using was Born Pretty BPL-028, product code 21814, another lacy plate but very different to BPL-030.
This one has 5 rectangular images of a good size (22x15mm) and 5 large circular images which I really like, large enough for you to use half the image if you prefer not have the image exactly centred on your nail.
For my first layer of stamping I used the rectangular image that looked to me like ammonites, with Hit the Bottle Magenta at your own Risk. I was so pleased with how well it stamped, especially over the gradient.
For the second layer I used one of the circular patterns with Colour Alike Berry Smoothie and deliberately used half the image for each nail.
I double stamped my right hand and then I really couldn't decide which I like best so I did 2 fingers of the left hand for the purple/pink collage and then completed the mani.
I really like the variety of designs on this plate and the quality is excellent.

Barry M Coconut Infusion Sufboard

Barry M Coconut Infusion Surfboard
and Maybelline Noite de Gal

Born Pretty BPL-028 and
Hit the Bottle Magenta at your own Risk

Born Pretty BPL-028 with
Hit the Bottle Magenta at your own Risk and
Colour Alike Berry Smoothie

Born Pretty BPL-028 and Colour Alike Berry Smoothie

Born Pretty BPL-028 

40 Great Nail Art Ideas - Floral (and a sunset)

This is another combination post and it's also very late! I did get the mani done on time but the pictures have sat in a folder just waiting...
Anyway, the prompt for #40greatnailartideas was floral but it co-incided with Sunset for #clairestelle8may so I did used the sunset as a base for the floral.
I started with Barry M Coconut Infusion Flamingo, possibly my least favourite in the set of 9 polishes but I actually like it more than I expected so this has been a good purchase!
Then I did the gradient thing with Leighton Denny Brick Road, Barry M Flamingo and Maybelline Noite de Gal. The gradient went quite well I think and it was a shame I didn't get to stamp a more sunset like scene over it but I was so tight for time last week, I had to be a bit economical.
Then I used Born Pretty BPL-029 and Essence Stampy 002 to stamp the flowers - the contrast got lost a bit over the darker part of the gradient bit I did like the end mani.
Finally, I was tempted to try a new plate I had been sent for review (blogged here) so I added a second layer of stamping with Born Pretty BPl-030 and Colour Alike Sweetheart. These spring pastel polishes from Colour Alike are lovely and stamp so nicely!
I had chosen quite a bold pattern from this plate but I did like it, it stamped well and it would probably have stayed on all weekend if I hadn't felt the need to do green and black stripes for my son's football final!

Barry M Coconut Infusion Flamingo

Maybelline Noite de Gal, Barry M Coconut Infusion Flamingo
 and Leighton Denny Brick Road

Born Pretty BPL-029 and Essence Stampy 002

Born Pretty BPL-030 and Colour Alike Sweetheart

An InLinkz Link-up