To boldly go…to infinity and beyond…in a galaxy far, far away! (Galaxy/Nebula nails) 06/16/2012

For a long time I’ve wanted to try out this technique, but it seemed very daunting. I think I need some practice, but it was very fun and I can’t wait to try it out again.

I wasn’t totally happy with them, but the colors did show up better in person. My poor camera was so confused by all the colors and sparkles. :)

ORLY in White Tips, AC-NED-82, AC-NED-81, L’Oreal Bijou Gems in B. Outrageous, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Lightening, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Snappy Sorbet, AC-NED-90, Sally Hansen HD in Wavelength, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Mint Sprint, ORLY in Gumdrop, AC-NED-94, OPI in Not Like The Movies.

I was inspired by this tutorial which I found through this amazing tumblr. (Which, I was introduced to by my BF, might as well continue the credit-where-credit-is-due train of thought.)

I chose a lighter base mostly because I am so in love with my new OPI in Not Like The Movies. :) Seriously, such a great color, neutral but with a bit of understated rock star glam.

Purple Glitter Gradient 07/27/2011

Matsuri Nails 06/07/2011

We had a festival to go to so I did some nail designs to match the yukatas of my friends and I! I did a colored french and added a stripe to spice things up and little flower/dot accents on the thumbs. Added a bit to a plain pedi as well.

The design I painted on fake nails for one friend; orange french tips with a black spray.

Another friend; blue angled french tips, with white and red stripe accents and some extra sparkle spray on the thumbs.

Sparkling Green Gradient 05/20/2011

Incredibly simple yet one of my favorites. I started with a base of clear sparkle polish, then starting about a third away from the cuticle I used a light green sparkle polish, finishing with a dark green sparkle polish on the top third of the nail. The best part is that since the idea is to blend the colors you don’t have to worry about trying to make the gradient ‘lines’ straight or even.

These nails would be perfect for St. Patrick’s Day but it’s a bit late for that so instead I am telling myself they are May birthstone (emerald) nails since my birthday is in May XD

Elegant Black French w/Jewel & Silver Accents 05/13/2011

This is an excellent look for those who find it hard to free-hand the straight line required for a traditional French manicure. I personally find it much easier to paint an angled line, it makes it much less noticeable if your line isn’t perfectly straight, or if the angles aren’t all quite the same. I started with the black tips and once I got them close to the right shape I took a thin brush with silver sparkles to neaten up the edge of the black. While the silver polish was wet I pressed a jewel at the point of the V, then slicked on a clear coat to seal it all in!