31 Day Challenge - Day 4 - Green

Hi guys!

I have been trying to keep up with the 31 Day Challenge over on Instagram, and so here are my nails for prompt number four - green. I chose a cherry blossom design as it's something I've been meaning to do for a while and it seemed quite straightforward. I'm not 100% happy with them, but it's not bad for a first attempt!

My base here is Make Up Gallery (Poundland) 'Spearmint', topped with China Glaze 'Fairy Dust'. I then used a striping brush and Barry M 'Cocoa' to draw the branches, and finished with Barry M 'Kiss Me Quick' and Seche 'Audacious' for the blossoms. On my pinkie I reverse stamped an image from Bundle Monster CYO 2014 plate #617. I topped the whole design off with Posche Topcoat, which left loads of bubbles in the design :( I definitely need to get myself some more HK Girl, as I'm just not getting on well with any other topcoats!

Thanks for reading!

Helen x

PS Check out all of the other submissions for the 31 Day Challenge on Instagram - just search the hashtag #31dc2015

Splash Floral Nail Art

Hi everyone!

This week's prompt for the Weekly Nail Art Challenge over on Instagram is 'mint and lilac' with a summer theme. I decided to create an abstract flower design for this one :)

I started off with a base of Essence 'Wild White Ways', then using a torn sponge, I dabbed on Ciate 'Sugar Plum' and Essie 'Mint Candy Apple'. Finally, I added the flower outlines using a striping brush and two polishes from Claire's Liquid Metal collection - 'Teal' and 'Purple' (very imaginatively named, Essence!) 

I kind of wish I hadn't put two flowers on my middle and ring fingers, as it makes the mani seem a bit cluttered, but overall I'm really pleased with this one. It's a refreshing change as it's much more delicate than the neon designs I've been wearing recently! 

As always, head over to Instagram to see all of the entries into the Weekly Nail Art Challenge - just search #wnac2015 :)

Thanks for reading!

Helen x

Cute Checkered Floral Mani

Hi everyone!

Today I have a checkered design with floral accents to show you. I have been wanting to do something like this for a while, and the finished look reminds me of curtains or towels that you might have in your kitchen! Very summery and cute!

For this manicure I started with a base of Barry M 'Coconut' which is the most perfect milky off-white colour <3. Once dry, I placed striping tape in a checkered pattern on my nails and topped with Barry M 'Sky Blue' on my thumb, index and pinkie fingers, then Collection 'Peach Blossom' on my middle and ring fingers. For the floral design, I blended 'Sky Blue' and 'Damson' (by Barry M) on the nail, and finished with Ciate 'Mojito' for the leaves.

I'm pretty pleased with how these came out and want to try a similar design with more of a yellow theme as I have a very particular set of kitchen curtains in mind which this doesn't quite capture!

Hope you like them :)

Thanks for reading!

Helen