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

Pumpkins and Leaves - Twinkie Nail Art Challenge

As much as I liked Tuesday's mani, I was ready to pump it up with some more Halloween-themed nail art. The final Friday for October's theme for the Twinkie Nail Art Challenge is "Halloween/ Harvest" and I think this fits the bill! (I actually did this nail art Wednesday night, but saved the post to keep to the schedule :) I've seen a lot of pumpkin manicures that looked simple enough, so I choose a few accent nails on each hand. I first painted the shape with a few different white polishes so the colours would pop, and the layered the orange, green and brown on top. I used MoYou Explorer Plate 21 for the leaves. 

Polishes used:

BK Matt White (stamping)

Ciate Snow Virgin & Finger Paints Hip Hip Hue-Ray (undies)

China Glaze Be More Pacific

OPI You Don't Know Jacques

L'oreal Orange You Jealous

I love the way the white stamping really pops over the purple base.

Hope you enjoy!

xo Shawna

Halloween Grunge Dry Brush

Hi ladies! (I assume it's just females who read my blog- if you're a guy, apologies for this and all future greetings!)

I'd been thinking of a mani that incorporated all of the traditional "Halloween colours" - green, purple, orange and black. I had the lightbulb to utilize a dry brush mani, since the last one I created didn't have a chance to be worn very long! Once I started, it wasn't turning out exactly as I envisioned so I added a heavier coat of purple and some silver for a bit of sparkle. The end result feels a little grungy and definitely Halloween appropriate! 

Colours used: 

MTL Creations Sam the Shifter (base)

Wet n' Wild Black Creme

L'oreal Orange You Jealous

China Glaze Coconut Kiss

Sally Hansen Hi-Ho Silver

HK Girl Top Coat

I used two coats of HK Girl to get a nice smooth, glossy finish.

Do you like the Halloween colour palate?

xo Shawna

Dry Brush Mani - Twinkie Nail Art Challenge

Today is the last day of the September twinkie nail art challenge, and it brings us dry brushing!

This is a new-to-me technique, but pretty straight forward. I used this simple tutorial, only modifying to add both horizontal and vertical stripes.

Polishes used:

Echoes Polish Barely There (base)

OPI Manicurist of Seville

OPI You Don't Know Jacques

OPI Love.Angel.Music.Baby

Rimmel Do Not Disturb

Ciate Speed Pro Top Coat

I have mixed feelings about this mani. It's the reverse of what usually happens - I think it looks better in the picture than in real life! I will definitely try again with different colour combinations, perhaps a more monochromatic look would look better.

What do you think of this one?

xo Shawna