Nail stamps! I love you!! :D

I some how managed to come down with a horrendous flu bug that has left me out of commission for the past few days. I don't think I've ever been as sick as I was a few nights ago. I was so dehydrated and nauseous that I ended up at the hospital for medicine and an IV drip. I think I've finally overcome my fever but I'm sleeping a ridiculous amount and my head and body are not happy still. Everything hurts and I'm starting to go stir crazy so I figured I'd make a brief post until I can do my nails again. 

So! I just bought my first ever nail stamp and set of image plates and I'm so flippin' excited about them!!  

I know that stamping kits are not for everyone but I finally caved and bought myself a Konad stamper and a set of Shany image plates from Amazon. I recently got a brand spankin' new butter LONDON called Slapper that lovers of blue/green/teals should go out and immediately purchase. Butters aren't cheap, but you can often find them discounted on Amazon by up to $4 which makes them much more reasonable. Konad and Shany both recommend that you use their stamping polishes to ensure a good stamp onto your nail, but I didn't purchase these. Instead, I used an unnamed black polish from Urban Outfitters for the tree, and the white snowflakes are Milani's "White on the Spot." Both polishes were opaque and thick enough to transfer well and I think they will work for the time being. Anyway, I love this look and I'm excited to explore the nail stamping world! :)

Happy Polishing :)

Argyle For Audrey

The argyle pattern seems to be a growing classic for nail art aficionados. I thought I'd give it a shot myself and provide a quick and easy tutorial as well :) For this design, I used China Glaze's For Audrey as a base, Klean Color Neon Sapphire, and the white is Milani's White on the Spot. The sky is the limit on the color combos for this, as well as which nails or how many nails you do. 

I am right handed and my poor brain starts to hurt if I try and use my left hand for precise work, so painting my right hand was a bit of a challenge for me. If you're like me, the first few times of painting straight lines doesn't always go as planned. It might be the most traumatic event in your polishing day if your attempt at a straight line suddenly looks like a elephant decided to paint it by holding the brush awkwardly in his trunk and then lumbering by your nail, hoping to hit something. Likely, as soon as you see this happen you realize you'll have to restart.

Despite failed straight line attempts, the argyle pattern is not too difficult to complete. 

Once you've got all your line work done, add your favorite top coat, let it dry, and VOILA! Argyle wonderful-ness to make your nails happy! 

Happy Polishing.