The Maze Runner Nail Art

Another month is wrapping up over in our book club group, The Polished Bookworms. February was "Young Adult", and The Maze Runner is the book that was voted on by the group.

My manicure is inspired by the beetleblades (on the middle finger), the ivy and leaves growing all over the maze walls, and the plaques hidden amongst the ivy. Bare with the awkward hand poses for today! 

Products Used

OPI Push and Shove (middle finger)

Deborah Lippmann Jessa (writing)

Wet n' Wild Black Creme (script)

Nicole by OPI Always a Silver Lining (index base)

China Glaze Be More Pacific

China Glaze I'm With the Lifeguard

Deborah Lippmann Hannah

China Glaze Fast Forward

MoYou London Pro 04

Dotting Tool amazon

Brushes eBay (trimmed)

This was my first time painting words, I trimmed the brush right down and it was better than I thought. Still not amazing, but it's a start! Push and Shove was perfect to symbolize the beetle blades in the Glade. I dry marbled together the green shades to create the overgrown ivy effect and also frame the "plaque" on the index finger. I used a ton of products, and a ton of techniques in this manicure, but it turned out pretty much exactly as I envisioned, and I'm happy with it! 

Do you enjoy reading young adult books?

xo Shawna

Valentines Collaborations

*disclaimer: the first mani was done a month in advance!

A few groups of us on Instagram collaborated for Valentine's Day (collab pics below!). One was typical v-day lovey dove hearts etc, and the other was the opposite - Anti-Valentine's Day! 

For the first collaboration, organized by @nebularnailz, we didn't have any specific theme. I didn't want to do your typical in-your-face pink and red palette -  so after I painted on a coat of the gorgeous chrome Push and Shove by OPI, I decided dry brushing would provide just the hint of colours I was after. 

Products Used

OPI Push and Shove

OPI Mod About You

Deborah Lippmann Jessa

China Glaze Fast Forward

Dotting Tools from Amazon

I actually tested out painting little hearts and it was a very pathetic attempt.  (This was before I discovered how to use a dotting tool to make the entire heart). So, instead I went for a more abstract look by dotting an outline of a heart on a few accent fingers. I actually liked the way it turned out, and it was pretty simple and very quick to do!

And here's the final product of the first collaboration.

Next up, we have the Anti-V-day Collab! This was put on by @vampireprincessheart. I was thinking along the line of a "blackened heart" so I used saran wrap to create the effect on the two middle fingers. I was hoping the hearts would be more distinct so I don't completely love the way they turned out, but the amazing girls I collaborated with assure me it's great! Thanks ladies you are such sweethearts! 

Products Used

Deborah Lippmann Jessa

Wet n' Wild Black Creme

Finger Paints Striper Ch-Art-Coal Black

Cuter Cuticles Cutie Guard

China Glaze Fast Forward

And this is the result :)

Did you do anything to celebrate (or protest) Valentine's this year?

xo Shawna

Striped Mani for Nail Art November

Theme for day 10 of #nailartnov is "Tape Mani". This could be interpreted a few ways (I've used scotch tape before!) but today it was the perfect reason to use my striping tape I received a few weeks ago. The design isn't groundbreaking, I've seen it various times on Instagram, but it seemed like a good basic design for my first time!

Colours used:

Deborah Lippmann Marnie

OPI Wocka Wocka (I think... it's an unlabelled mini)

Echoes Polish Holo Cow

HK Girl Top Coat

I added a holo top coat, although I instantly regretted it. I should have just added a few gems instead but live and learn! It's not the most unique manicure ever, but for my first time I'm still pretty happy with how it turned out. 

Have you worked with striping tape before?

xo Shawna

Geometric #nailartnov

I decided to jump on board with the November Nail Art Challenge hosted by @californails on IG. I had already done the day one prompt (movember) so I'm right on track!

It's called the "totally doable" challenge with prompts every couple days. Today (day 04) is Geometric and as soon as I saw the prompt I knew exactly what I wanted to do! I hadn't had a chance to use my aztec chevron vinyls yet, or the other design on my born pretty stamping plate. After swatching one of my new Deborah Lippmann polishes from the "Girls" collection (I got it for a steal at Winners after coveting it for a while!) I knew a metallic colour palette would really pop. And I am in love with the result! 

Colours used:

Deborah Lippmann Hannah

OPI Love.Angel.Music.Baby

Sally Hansen Hi-Hi Silver

HK Girl Top Coat

China Glaze Matte Magic

I topped the mani off with a matte top coat, although I was expecting it to be a bit more flat. I love this colour palette and Hannah is such a gorgeous green - for sure a new fall/ winter favourite. 

 Here's a swatch of Hannah all by itself. Stunning!

Do you like matte manicures?

xo Shawna