It's been such a long time since I've done any nail art for myself.

It's been such a long time since I've done any nail art for myself.  As lame as it may sound my one and only goal for this weekend was to do nail art on ME.  Before this the most I could manage was to put on a pretty color (there is a reason for that).  It's nice to have a pretty color to look at, but it's not the same a being able to flex my creativity.

Since the polish color I used (Sakura by Ethereal) was kind of sheer I decided to put down a couple of layers of a milky white gel polish by Beetles.  Then I painted my pinky, pointer, and thumb with Sakura.  I used stamping plates to get the outline of the floral shapes onto a stamper head.  I let it dry, then took a super tiny brush and filled in the colors of the flowers.  After that dried, I put a clear coat on it to make it into a decal and let that dry.  After THAT, I put down the same clear coat on my nails, let it dry just until it was tacky, then placed the decals onto my nail using the stamper.  I cleaned my edges and topcoated, and this was the final result!  I am pleased with how it turned out!

There are so many other techniques I want to play with and try, but since I'd already spent basically all day on my nails (removing hard gel and putting down polygel) I decided to keep it simple.  This nail art was (obviously) inspired by spring.  I'm so into the flowers and plants right now.  Everyone is showing out and I love it, so this is my tribute to spring. 💮💗

Sakura by Ethereal, Milky White gel by Beetles;
Bundle Monster plate BM-S326 and Apipila plate Our Power;
Stamping, Layered Stamping, Reverse Stamping techniques

This is really super not my style...

This is really super not my style, but I try with holidays sometimes because my stamping plates often have holiday images and when else am I going to use them?  😂

The candy hearts were a stamping plate image and usually they would be all one color, but I used the image several times with several different polishes, top-coated them while they were on my stamper, then painstakingly cut them apart and applied them to my nails.  Totally kicking myself after the fact for not using a pink, but it's too late now.  😕

I really need to make a collage of my Valentine's Day nail photos.

Ember of Glass by Great Lakes Lacquer;
Bundle Monster plate BM-421;
Stamping Decal technique

So these were the other nails I did last month.

So these were the other nails I did last month.  Tonic SLAYS. ME.  These are the most beautiful and shifty polishes ever.  If you're interested in owning some I'd head on over to the Tonic Polish group and see what they are releasing on Sunday because I promise you it's pretty.  Some of it is limited edition due to lack of pigment and some of it will be back.  This is how it goes when you're a single-person indie polish maker and you've suddenly (and rightfully) become one of the most sought-after indie polish brands.

Pardon my claw hands and wonky angles, but I just needed for y'all to see the color changes and the flakies in this ONE. SINGLE. POLISH.  I also stamped on it with a shifty stamping polish so in certain lights it blended in and in others it popped.  I remember staring at my fingers a lot when I wore this.  I've got several Tonics that do that to me - including my proposal set that I hoard like treasure and rarely wear.  😂  I'm so bad because I love them so much that I never want to run out, but you just can't enjoy them the same in the bottle as you can when they are on you and with you all the time.

Anyway I just popped in to show these off.  Even though I felt pretty rough yesterday I have a little bit of energy today so I'm gonna get up and use it instead of sit here at the computer.  I hope you all have a lovely weekend.  🙂

Research polish;
Bundle Monster plate BM-319;
Stamping technique, Magnetized

Ok, I don't normally take nail pics in full sunlight

Ok, I don't normally take nail pics in full sunlight (because of shadows) but considering that I did something weird and I'm not sure how long they'll last, I have made an exception.

So... this time, you get a surprise visit from my Cindy hand! (In the nail art world, Cindy is short for Cinderella - the hand that does all of the work, but doesn't get seen). In my case, she's the left one because I'm a south paw. She doesn't always match the right hand, and is often used as the "test" hand for me to make sure that whatever I'm doing is going to look ok for the hand I'm gonna post. 😜🤣🤣🤣 However, today I made a point of dressing her like the right hand so she would be somewhat presentable. My poor lefty is never quite as pretty (though I'm a good bit ambidextrous), because she is my dominant hand and those nails are always broken and that polish chips first, not to mention the testing.

If you haven't spotted the difference between them yet, here it is: I experimented with a new nail shape at about 4:30 this morning. 😳😳😳 Cindy is wearing baby stilettos! I have been updating my Pinterest with a lot of nail art recently (that whole cleaning out my bookmarks and folder of screencaps thing), and I guess I felt inspired to try something new. To be perfectly honest, I've never been happy with my nail shape, and I figured it was time to put some effort into it.

For those of you who can grow your nails long and they will stay even and pretty, I am jealous. Mine have never been that way. They start to curl once they reach a certain length. Some curl worse than others, so even if I have done the same thing to them all, it doesn't necessarily look as though I have. 🙁 I'm sure that some of this is genetic, but also when I was a kid I did bite my nails for a while, as well as pick the skin at the sides a lot, so I'm sure there is scarring from all of the mistreatment. ☹️☹️☹️

Since the curling happens at my edges, I thought "What would happen if I just took the edges off?" LOL I actually really like the way my pinky and ring finger look on my left hand. My middle finger took the brunt of my picking as a child, so it will probably always look wonky. And my pointer finger is almost always shorter than the rest due to breakage, but it did look better this morning. At some point during all of my painting and prep, it got caught in my scissor and nicked, so I had to file it down even shorter. If you are curious about my Cindy thumb, it is still round (because who cares about her, right?!). 😆😆😆

I read that this is not the strongest nail shape, but if it doesn't work out, that's ok. It's on good old lefty for testing purposes. 😂😂😂 I treat my nails a lot like my hair - if I hate it, I will cut it off and it will grow back. No biggie. But out of curiosity, what do you guys think? Fight to keep them round-ish, or maybe go with the stiletto shape? The ones that turned out nice (pinky and ring finger), I'm really kind of digging.

Also, this nail art is one I've wanted to do for like, THREE YEARS. 😳 I usually don't just straight up rip off other people's work, but I have so much studying to do that I couldn't dedicate my brain power to ideas today. Below is a link is to the blog where I first saw this, and I basically just copied what she did (not exactly, but so very close). She is one of my favorite nail bloggers, so hopefully it would be seen as flattery and not me taking credit for her work, especially since I am minding my internet manners and giving her credit for the idea.

Anyway, I'm off. I've got my nails done for the week, and Calculus is calling me. I'll be back later. ❤

Linky link:  https://www.thenailasaurus.com/2014/02/lacquer-legion-adoration-nail-art.html?

Research polishes;
Bundle Monster plate BM-315;
Gradient, Taping, and Stamping techniques

Ok, so it's a day later than I thought I was posting it but here it is:

Ok, so it's a day later than I thought I was posting it but here it is:  The paint job that I'm super happy with. 🙂 I guess that was my last big "Hurrah!" before school starts.

I took some time to throw down a watermark because a lot of my nail friends in groups and on Instagram keep telling me to. I would say that I'm not worried about people finding my photos and using them, but it's happened before. (I found my nails on eBay when I was shopping for nail stuff one day). LOL I was not upset, but I guess this way at least I could possible get some more traffic to my social media.

So I used another magnetic polish for this mani... actually, the same one from last time. I know it looks really different, but it's just layered over itself rather than black so that makes a difference. I did the flowers with a stamping plate from Bundle Monster and the (supposed to be) diagonal-ish lines with some cheap nail art tape I had.

Btw, these are not supposed to be French tips - I just wanted some color aside from the flowers. I used the magnetic polish again to add depth. I'm really digging that stuff! Also, I know these look spring and it's winter (so I SUPPOSEDLY should be doing snowflakes or whatever), but you guys should know by now that I do what I want. LOL

Anyway, that's it. Possibly for a while, but maybe not. I guess it depends on how this semester goes.

Tourmaline of Passion by Masura;
Bundle Monster plate BM-S183;
Reverse Stamping and Taping techniques

Did my nails last night.

Did my nails last night.  Again, not super creative, but with working so much and school I'm just throwing down something fast that doesn't require a super lot of thought and planning.  I'm not usually a neon kind of girl, but I bought this yellow for a specific reason (to do a thing that I don't yet have time to do) and thought "What the hell?"  So I put it on.

I tested a few stamping polishes over it and I liked the pink the best.  But it just wasn't sparkly enough, so I stamped over it with a holographic to give it some sparkle.  Holos aren't meant for stamping, but some will do it pretty well.  This one would have been kind of sheer without the pink stamping under it.  You can see where I didn't line the stamps up perfectly (I wasn't trying to - I wanted it to have a little depth), but I was more off than I wanted to be on my middle finger.  You can probably see it if you look close.  It wasn't bad enough that I felt the need to re-do the whole nail.  LOL  Who has time for that these days?!

Anyone interested in the polishes used?  Almost no one asks me, but most people write it out, anyway.  Here you go, just in case.  Not a bad habit to get into.  😛

• Base: China Glaze - Celtic Sun

• 1st Stamping: Born Pretty - Stamping Polish # 11

• 2nd Stamping: Color Club - Miss Bliss

Celtic Sun by China Glaze, Stamping Polish 11 by BornPretty, Miss Bliss by Color Club;
Bundle Monster plate BM-418?;
Layered Stamping technique

I was in the mood for something silly and fun

Ok, I guess I was in the mood for something silly and fun.  And also big because my nails are long enough to accommodate these big old kitty stamps (but just barely, as you can see from my ring finger).

I wanted a background that wasn't too crazy since I wanted the kitties to pop so I went with pale blue stamping over gray.  I used a few different cat-themed plates for that.  There are various paw print patterns, etc, and the middle finger says things like "Meow" and "Hiss."

All I really knew when I got started is that I was wearing these damn cats one way or the other.  😂  I had no plans for collars and bow-ties, but it just wasn't done until I added those touches.  How's that for spring?  They look quite dressed up for some reason!  Maybe they have a date!  😃

PSA Time:  Everyone make sure to spay and neuter your Ms. and Mr. Kitties because too many animals are killed in shelters.  It's a totally preventable problem - so don't be part of it.  There is no excuse.  Help is out there!

Recycle by China Glaze and Various polishes;
Bundle Monster plate BM-S161 and unbranded plate Kst-22;
Glequin and Bow Embellishments from BornPretty;
Reverse Stamping and Layered Stamping techniques

I can think of a few people...

I can think of a few people who would wear the crap out of this collection.  Personally, I'm drooling over the top left plate and the middle one, OMG.    Also digging the semicolon.  I wish I had money that I didn't need for other things right now.  🙁  One day...

Confession Time:

Confession Time:  Shaun had to damage my scale nail before I could bring myself to take it off.  😂  I had all of my other nails naked and ready to be painted - EXCEPT FOR THAT ONE.  I guess I was making a big deal about it so he said "Let me see it." and then proceeded to dig a chunk of it off me with his big, hard, man nails.  😳  I mean, I guess that was an effective way to make it easier to take off... at least I didn't have to murder it with polish remover for no reason.  😂

Anyway.  I wanted to use my succulent decal before it dried out since it was more work to make than the cat.  If I had waited any longer I would have missed my chance.  It was already very brittle and the application of it did not go smoothly.  😕

First of all, I had to apply a clear polish to the back of it to soften it up.  Secondly, I dropped it on a fuzzy blanket right after applying the clear polish.  THEN, when I was trying to shape it to my nail, it cracked.  Thankfully, I had the good sense to use the same base color as the background of the decal; otherwise, you'd probably be able to spot the crack.  It was almost a huge nail fail.  🙁  But lots of patience, acetone, and topcoat saved it.  🙂

Overall I think it looks nice, but I'm not as in love with it as I was with the scales.  I'm glad I could make it work, but I'm bummed that my decals aren't storing so great.  I knew they wouldn't last forever, but I didn't even get a solid week out of that.  I guess I can't make them too far in advance for now.  I read that one polish blogger stored hers inside sheet protectors for 10 days.  I was thinking that surely a closed-off stamper would be more air tight, but I guess not.  😕

For anyone who's interested - my pointer finger is FingerPaints Nail Color Ink-Cognito, my middle finger is China Glaze Nail Lacquer Below Deck, and my pinky is the lovely Barry M. in Dusky Mauve.  I wanted that polish for ages before I finally bought it.  I know that the shimmer isn't showing in that one on the nail in photos like it is in the bottle, but I promise you it's there.  It is SO pretty and I'm so happy to finally call it my own.

Dusky Mauve by Barry M., Below Deck by China Glaze, Ink-Cognito by Finger Paints;
Bundle Monster plate BM-616;
stamping decal

I am Grumpy Cat this week.

I am Grumpy Cat this week.  Oh well.  😂

I was getting ready to chop my nails off yesterday, but then I remembered this plate and thought "I bet I could fit Grumpy AND her "NOPE" on there if I do this now."  I just barely got it all on there, but that's ok.  Since I was too tired and brain-dead for homework I painted my nails.  It cheered me up so it wasn't a waste of time.  🙂

My nails are almost long enough to make my nail beds sore.  I generally don't like them to be too far over the ends of my fingertips because I type a lot and I'm clumsy.  😂  But I figured I could live with them for a few more days to wear this.  🙂

Grumpy's pattern that you can't really see around the edge of her is a triangle pattern that is the same (but a smaller version) of what's on the rest of my nails.  I didn't really think about it not showing up because I have small nails, but that's why the rest of my fingers are done in a triangle pattern.  It's not like I have triangles on the brain or anything.  😛

Recycle by China Glaze;
Bundle Monster plate BM-S162 and MagnoNails plate A;
Stamping technique

THESE ARE ABOUT TO BE MINE.

THESE ARE ABOUT TO BE MINE.  I am gonna have so much animals on my nails and probably on jewelry, too.  😳

No more snow flakes on my nails.

No more snow flakes on my nails. I'm over it. 😂 Too bad the weather isn't on the same page as me!

Research polishes;
Bundle Monster plate BM-618;
Stamping technique

I'm getting better at making time for nail painting!

I'm getting better at making time for nail painting!  🙂  These are chipping off now, but thankfully I got a nice photo before that started.

Check out all the colors in this one polish.  It's a new FingerPaints Nail Color.  They have them at Sally's right now.  I can look up the color if anyone is actually interested.  🙂

What a Night by FingerPaints, research polish;
Bundle Monster plate BM-604;
Stamping technique

Not the best photo and also not the most impressive nails.

Not the best photo and also not the most impressive nails.  Honestly, though, just having them done makes me feel happy.  🙂

I didn't really talk about this much when talking about my psoriasis / arthritis, but I very nearly lost my thumbnail (psoriasis will jack you ALL up).  🙁  That is why it's shaped kind of weird (it's almost grown back to normal - yay!), and also one major reason I stopped painting for a while.  I'm not usually easily embarrassed, but that one got me for some reason.  I am not super sure why.

I also noticed that when I tried to do my "look at all my nails" claw my hands don't want to do that anymore.  Most particularly my thumb.  I hate to admit that I hurt it trying to get it to do that... so maybe I'll be doing photos with bottles now.  Or gerbils.  Or lizards.  Hell, I don't know.  What I do know is that despite my arthritis pills my hands have been really sore and I should probably make time in my schedule (somehow!) to get back to the doctor.

Anyway.  I'm going to try to do my nails at least once a week.  It makes me happy and I should take some time out for just me.  You know - to keep sane while I'm doing all of this other stuff.  ❤

I Spy-der by Finger Paints;
Bundle Monster plate BM-610;
Stamping technique

These are my 12mm rings.

These are my 12mm rings.

White Crackle over Electric Blue by Jordana

Black Crackle over Silver (Research name)

Brown Crackle by Kleancolor over Golden-I by Sally Hansen

Vintage Violet by Sally Hansen over 115A by NYC

(Research Colors)

Black Crackle over Hey Baby by OPI

(Research Colors)

Black Crackle over Siren by Pure Ice

Pastel Yellow by NK Nail Enamel and White;
Red Angel plate RA-117;
Stamping technique

(Research colors)

Vintage Violet Crackle by Sally Hansen on top of Funky Yellow by Kleancolor

(Research Colors)

Recycle by China Glaze with Glitter (Research Name)

Black Crackle over Silver (Research Name)

Bond-tastic by China Glaze;
Magnetized

Brown Crackle by Kleancolor over Golden-I by Sally Hansen

Pastel Yellow by NK Nail Enamel, White, and Blue;

Red Angel plate RA-117;

Stamping technique

Hey Baby by OPI;
Winstonia plate W101;
stamping technique

Research Color;
Mash plate M38;
Stamping technique

Fast Track by China Glaze with White;
Bundle Monster plate BM-405;
Stamping technique

These are 18mm plain band rings.

These are 18mm plain band rings.  I never stopped painting - just started doing other stuff with it.  🙂  I used all of my silver and black bands.  I will have to order more.  I still have stones waiting to be set!

White on Black;
unbranded plate HD01;
Stamping technique

Silver on Black;
unbranded plate HD04;

Stamping technique

Research Color;
Magnetized

Tails of Love by Finger Paints

Black over Silver Glitter (Research Name)

Research Name

Sea Temptress by Finger Paints

Ms. Milani by Milani;
Bundle Monster plate BM-407;
Stamping technique

Just Spotted the Lizard by OPI

Creme de Mint by L'Oreal;

Red Angel plate RA-115;

Stamping technique

Green over Black;
unbranded plate HD02;
Stamping technique

Black Crackle over Hey Baby by OPI

Black on Siren by Pure Ice;

unbranded plate HD02;

Stamping technique

Recycle by China Glaze with Glitter (Research Name)

Sailor's Lure by Finger Paints

Research Color

Research Color

Research Color

White Crackle over Electric Blue by Jordana

Vintage Violet Crackle by Sally Hansen over Funky Yellow by Kleancolor

Research Color

Black Crackle over Funky Yellow by Kleancolor

Research Color;
Red Angel plate RA-119;

Stamping technique

Research Color

Research Color;
Red Angel plate RA-119;

Stamping technique

Recycle by China Glaze;
unbranded plate QA4;
Stamping technique

Research Color

Research Color

Research Color

Research Color

Research Color;
For the Love of Science by Hit the Bottle;
Stamping technique