Saturday 29 September 2012

Challenge Week 50: Newspaper Nails!

AKA- the latest 52 week challenge post yet.... I have a very good reason though- I was off work with flu for the whole of the week-before-last, and as a result last week was very very hectic because I was trying to catch up with a weeks worth of work! (and I didn't feel up to doing anything other than sleep in the evenings)

So sorry, once again, that I'm so terribly late- we're actually on week 52 by now, but anyway- Newspaper nails! I'm sorry to say that this is probably my biggest fail yet- I couldn't get the print to transfer onto my nails properly. Please give me tips!

I used Revlon Aloof as a base for this, because I think that the off-white shade is more newspaper coloured than plain white- and the colour is beautiful, with a slight shimmer in it :) The actual newspaper printing didn't go too well, but I do really like the effect so I'll have to try it again sometime!







I hope to be able to post challenge week 51 and 52 very soon- I think there is going to be another year of challenges starting and I want to be all caught up!

Please let me know your tips for newspaper nails- I clearly need all the help I can get!

Once again, I'm so sorry for being a totally AWOL blogger, I wont let it happen again!!!


                                                                                                         xGretalRabbitx


Saturday 8 September 2012

Challenge week 49: Autumn!

Once again, I am very very late with this post- but I guess it's better late than never, right? I am rather sad that autumn is upon us- as much as the colours are pretty, and it's more socially acceptable to drink hot chocolate stay in (plus, close to Christmas!)  you may remember that I absolutely despise cold weather! Thankfully England has been quite warm this September so far, but I know that cold weather (bringing dry skin, numb hands and a very unhappy body) cannot be too far away.

Nevertheless, I must celebrate a new season by putting it on my nails! And for once I knew exactly what I wanted to do- I've not done a sponge gradient since I did Gradient Nails in week 3- and I thought it would work really well with some pretty autumnal colours :)










I suppose you could argue that it's a little sunset-like, but I don't really care! I thought about stamping some leaves over the top (to make it more autumnal) but I liked it as it was.


Models Own Pro Clementine, Avon Sahara Sun, No7 I'm Exquisite and e.l.f. Blush


First I used 2 coats of Models Own Clementine as a base, followed by a coat of Avon Sahara Sun (a really really old polish) to add shimmer and depth to the colour. Then I sponged No7 I'm Exquisite over about 1/2 to 2/3 of my nail, and sponged e.l.f. Blush over the top 1/4 :) I'm really happy with how they turned out and I should definitely do sponge gradients more often! (though I'm sure I say that about many nail art techniques!)


Are there any techniques you find yourself neglecting for no good reason?



                                                                                                               xGretalRabbitx

Monday 3 September 2012

Challenge Week 48: Matte :)

At this point I don't even think it's worth apologising for my terribly long absence from blogging- the last 8 of 10 posts are all 52 week challenge posts, and I still hate that I don't have time at the moment (though as always I'm hopeful that it will change, I actually have a whole week of nothing planned in the evenings so fingers crossed as always!)

I do have to say thank you again to some new GFC followers- 131 now! I promise I'll try and post more for you all :)

This weeks (actually last weeks, yes I'm THAT late with this post :( ) challenge is Matte. As it was such a broad theme I thought I'd pick out a colour I've not used in a while- and do a simple mani with it. I was drawn to e.l.f. Purple Dream, then I really wanted to see what Fantasy Fire would look like matte :) Turns out it still looks awesome! The shimmer is muted but still visible depending on the light, and it looks great over Purple Dream too.

I tried out  my newish matte topcoat from GOSH, and I'm happy to say that it's held up very well compared to my No7 matte polish- my mani has survived about 4 days with regular tip-wear, not the chipped mess that I usually get with matte nails. I left my ring finger glossy (a standard coat of Insta-Dri) as a subtle accent- and it really helps to show the difference between the mattified version of the polish :)









I don't think these pictures do justice to the beautiful colours and shimmer in this NOTD- my camera is a fan of neither purple nor matte polish.. (it also got a bit damp whilst camping and it's still in recovery!) My nails are definitely prettier in person, and I love them! :)




Are you a fan of matte nails? Or do you prefer them glossy? (I think it's nice to have a change, particularly with such a bright, dark colour!)


 
                                                                                                      xGretalRabbitx