“Radiant Orchid” Nail Art - Featuring Essie Play Date

Hi everyone!

You will probably be surprised by this post if you missed what I posted on Instagram yesterday.  Well, I changed the shape of my nails!  I’ve been going slightly more squoval recently, and I was just about to file them down, but then I decided to try an oval shape for a change.  I’m actually enjoying them more than I thought I would, since I’ve never had anything but square or squoval before, and they should be fun to play around with; I’m hoping to try some different designs that may not have worked on my squares. :)

For my nail art today, I chose Essie Play Date as the base.  I’ve been meaning to create some Pantone “Radiant Orchid” themed nails for while now, so I went through all of my purples, and Play Date stood out amongst the others.  It’s a really lovely medium purple that leans a bit pink, and it applies effortlessly in two coats.

I added Essie Peak of Chic (white and holographic bar glitter) as a glitter gradient on top of Play Date, and I think they are so cute together.  Peak of Chic can be quite hard to use over solid colors because the white bar glitters kind of clump together, but I’m loving the way it turned out as a gradient.  To compliment the white glitter, I added some polka dots on my ring fingers using Essie Blanc.

Essie Blanc, Play Date, and Peak of Chic

So, what do you think of the new shape?  I would love to hear your honest opinions.  My nails grow extremely fast, so I don’t know how long they will last, but I’m pretty happy with them at the moment!


Thank you for reading!  And, be sure to check out my giveaway on Instagram, if you haven’t already. :)


Kristin

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Negative Space Rose Nails + Tutorial

Hi everyone!  I have a quick post today, but it includes a new tutorial!

I created these negative space style rose nails for Nail It! Magazine's bridal theme that I noticed on Instagram recently.  I will be entering these nails for consideration, so I'm hoping they make it into the March/April issue.  Wish me luck! :)

I love the design I came up with; I think it looks more complicated than it actually is (quite a few people on Instagram actually thought I stamped it!), and yet it's very delicate with a bit of blind.  I think I might even have to try them in different color combinations in the near future .. Maybe a darker version!

Elevation Polish Mount Feathertop, Essie Blanc, China Glaze Angel Wings, Orly Prisma Gloss Silver, and a brush (size 10/0) I got at Michael's recently.

 And a little bonus shot:

 This was my original accent nail idea, but I ended up going with a simple gold nail instead.

Here is the video if you would like to see how I created them:


Enjoy!

Thank you for reading! :)

Kristin

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View some of my other floral designs:

31 Day Challenge - Day 14: Fall Florals + Tutorial!

Floral Nail Art Tutorial!

Vampire Weekend Inspired Floral Nails

31 Day Challenge - Day 6: Violet Nails

Day 6 of the 31 Day Challenge (#31DC2013) was Violet Nails.

I really love the look of Bourjois Bleu Violet (the base that I used for these nails), but it was a pain to photograph.  It either looked black or totally blue in photos, when in person it's actually a really lovely blurple (quite a bit more purple than blue though.)  I used two coats for these nails, and it has a nice squishy finish.

I waited a while for the base to dry, and I applied some striping tape diagonally on my nails to create diamond shapes.  I sponged Enchanted Polish Purple Roses on the tips, then quickly removed the tape.  I love the holographic shimmer that Purple Roses adds to the effect.

My accent nail is two coats of OPI Alcatraz...Rocks, one of the most amazing Liquid Sand polishes OPI has created, in my opinion.  It's the strangest mix of blue, grey, and purple, and it has some gorgeous multicolored shimmer; I think it's mostly gold, pink, and purple, maybe some green too!  It's just stunning.

Thank you for reading!

Kristin

31 Day Challenge - Day 5: Blue Nails

Blue is one of my favorite colors to wear on my nails.  I had quite a few ideas for this theme, but for Day 5 of the 31 Day Challenge (#31DC2013) I decided to go with a simple glitter gradient.

Once again, I'm using polishes that I have never worn before, so this time I have chosen GOSH Attitude (a gorgeous navy jelly), and Bourjois Bleu Fabuleux (an amazing, bright blue that leans a bit periwinkle).  I cannot believe I waited this long to use these polishes.

I also thought I would never get any use out of the Julep glitter pots I received in a mystery box several months ago, but surprisingly I've been using them a lot lately and love them.  That is what I used for the gradient, and also what I have on my accent nail over one coat of Bleu Fabuleux.  They were made for each other!

I hope you have been enjoying these posts.  I know I've been a day late for most of them, but hopefully I can get on track soon!

Thank you for reading! :)

Kristin