Ikat Print Mani

Ikat is such fun and quick pattern since you don’t have to be perfect. I used to Sinful Colors Rise and Shine for the basecoat, and then painted on the ikat design with Konad White, and Orly Terra Mauve, Sinful Colors Black on Black. Not one to leave well enough alone, I accented the design with China Glaze Tinsel Town glitter.

Acid Washed Jeans

Here's my version of a Saran Wrap Mani.

This manicure, done with 2 custom blended blue shades and bright white, was super simple. First, I painted my nails with the darker shade of blue, and let it dry completely. Then, I painted on a thin coat of the medium shade of blue. While it was still wet, I dabbed a small, crumpled ball of plastic wrap on my nails. The plastic wrap lifted some of the medium blue polish away, revealing the darker blue polish and leaving a marbled texture. To give the design a bit more depth, I repeated the plastic wrap process with a bright white shade. I used Konad Special white polish, which gave me the opaque color I was looking for.

Ruby Jelly with Holo Sparkles-- Franken #2

Here's my second franken. It's a deep ruby colored jelly polish with plenty of pink holographic glitter. In the shade, it's nice.

But in the sun, it's awesome.

Iris -- First Franken

Here we have my first franken experiment using the pigments and glitters I ordered from TKB Trading. It's a royal blue/violet jelly with bright turquoise and hot pink glitter.

Using a bottle of $2 clear as my base, I added varying amounts of TKB's Libra Blues, Her Majesty glitter, and Cherika Moon powders. I added a few drops of some Sinful Colors "Midnight Blue" polish to up the opacity.

On my swatch wheel, Cherika Moon has a strong color-shift from blue, to purple, to red orange.  When I mixed it into this franken, some of its iridescence was masked.  Maybe I need to add more...

Neon Green Mani

I'm procrastinating this morning with a bright green mani. I tried a bunch of new designs, and my favorite is the ikat on my middle finger! The doublemint green color is Pure Ice "Wild Thing". I also used Sinful Colors "Black on Black", Sinful Colors "Rise and Shine", and China Glaze "Blonde Bombshell".

Easter Mani

These nails are trying to be Easter eggs hiding in the grass. My success is debatable. But hey -- first attempt.

TKB Trading -- Glitter and Reflecks

My first order from TKB Trading came in the mail! I haven't done much with these yet but I wanted to post some preliminary pictures of the sampler packs.

Here is the sample pack of 5 solvent-resistant glitters. Samples came packed as approximately one teaspoon (2.5 grams) in a zip lock bag. From left to right, we have:

• Luminosity: Holographic glitter at its most microfine, .002 hex size. So fine it was hard to see any linear holo effect in the nail polish swatch I made.
• Focus Blue: A true blue glitter. Hex size is .008.
• Headtrip: Blue-green glitter with holo flashes. Hex size is .008.
• Pink Points: Cool-toned pink glitter. Hex size is .008.
• Adam & Eve: Mid-toned purple with holo sparks of blue and pink.

Here are the Reflecks Natural Glitter samples. From left to right, we have:

• Burning Leaves: Burnt orange color
• Copper Reflecks: Bright orange penny color
• Bronze Reflecks: A warm brassy gold color
• Gold Reflecks: Bright yellow gold
• Pinky Pink: On the magenta side of pink
• Turquoise Tweak: A bright peacock turquoise
• Her Majesty: Mid to dark royal blue with pink sparks.

And finally here are a few quick swatches over the plain wheel and black polish. I can't wait to start frankening!

Gradient Mani

Here's my first attempt at a gradient mani. I'm pretty happy with the results, though I think I could have gotten a smoother gradient if I used a makeup sponge to blend the polish. I used Sinful Colors Rise and Shine, Sinful Colors Happy Ending, and Sinful Colors Hottie, with a little OPI Yodel Me on My Cell.

Halftone Dot Mani

Here's a pretty mani that definitely looks more complicated than it is. 1. Paint on your base color. 2. Scotch tape on the diagonal and paint your contrast color. 3. With your dotting tool, (I used a knitting needle!) dot with the opposite color. Make sure to camouflage the diagonal line. 4. Seche vite!

Waterless Marble Mani

I haven't had success with the water marble technique, yet. So, here's a marbling technique from Robin Moses that you can do without water. First, paint on your first coat and let it dry. Paint on your second coat rather thick, and while it's still wet, dab on small dots of your contrast colors. With your striping brush, sweep through the dots of polish in a swirl pattern. The fewer strokes the better, here -- too much swirling action and the color turns to mud. Finally, after you swirl, pull the polish off of the sides of the nail with your thumb. This takes the excess polish off your nail so that it will dry evenly.

Glitter Mani

Here's a simple glitter mani that doesn't take too much time -- just a steady hand. I applied 2 coats of Zoya Kennedy -- a full coverage, pale pink/beige cream. Zoya Kennedy is an ideal cool neutral color. Kennedy is almost a one-coater, but covers fully opaque in 2 coats. Then, with a damp nail art brush, I placed gold craft glitter on the slightly sticky 2nd coat. Then, I topped it all of with a coat of Seche Vite.