Orchid Petals Inspired Nail Art

It’s “violet” day in the 31 Day Challenge! I decided to do nail art inspired by some gorgeous orchids that I spotted in our local grocery store. The pattern on the petals was so compelling that I just had to snap a pic of them to use for future nail art.

This was maybe the easiest nail art in the world, and I love how it turned out. I started with a cream colored base, and then used a large dotter to add the magenta patterning. I grabbed a smaller dotter and added purple to the pattern, inside of the larger dots. Then all that was left was to finish with topcoat!

Polishes used:

Polish My Life - Birthday Suit

OPI - Get Cherried Away

LVX - Shiraz

More 31 Day Challenge violet manicures:

• Violet color blocking
• Purple People Eater
• Violet hippie mix
• Violet watercolor wash

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Floral Bouquet Accent Nail with OCC Cosplay Nail Lacquers

Way back in the day, when I was first getting into nails, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics held a sale. I think they were changing their bottle shape and wanted to clear out their old inventory. I figured it'd be a good opportunity to try a new-to-me brand, and picked out "Grandma," a pretty coral, and "Ghostly," a lavender-grey. When I gave them a go, I remember being really impressed with the formula.

Now, here we are, some three or four years later, and I'm still just as pleased with the quality of OCC products. You may already know them for their Lip Tars, but if you haven't tried out their nail products yet, I definitely suggest picking a few of them up.

All of the shades I used for this manicure are from their latest collection, "Cosplay." I thought it'd be nice to do a floral accent nail to show off the range of colors, and drew inspiration from Paulina's Passions' distinct floral aesthetic.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Silence (greyed beige, base)
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Femme (pink)
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Cosplay (green)
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Cha Cha (orange)
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - Belladonna (purple)

I created the shade variations by mixing the colors with a white nail polish, and finished the manicure off with a matte topcoat.

The standout here, for me, is definitely Silence. It has this gorgeous silver shimmer to it and covered well in two coats. Super chic, very "me," I'm in love!

These lacquers are available now for $10/ea from occmakeup.com.

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TUTORIAL: Easy Splattered Floral Nail Art, Inspired by Nail'd It!

Tonight is the season finale of Oxygen's Nail'd It!, and I, for one, couldn't be more excited to see who takes home the $100,000 prize. THE SUSPENSE!

As a part of their final challenge, the competitors are asked to create nail art inspired by their signature look and artistic point of view. Today, I've got a tutorial for you that includes a taste of my artistic point of view! It includes lots of my favorite design elements, so let's take a look and go on a learning journey together.

P.S. In case you missed my television debut on the show three weeks ago, I'm making my triumphant return on tonight's episode to share a quick, 30 second glitter gradient tutorial!

For this tutorial, I incorporated a long list of my favorite things. First of all, I knew I wanted it to be matte. I am obsessed with matte nail art so it was a must for my design. Second, I wanted it to include bright colors and negative space. Third, I wanted it to be easy.

Wait, what? "Easy" is part of my artistic point of view? Well, kind of! While I love tackling intricate nail art and difficult patterns, I also love showing people that nail art isn't as scary as it can seem sometimes. It doesn't take mountains of time or an arsenal of expensive tools to pull off a really interesting, chic effect.


Supplies used:
Small nail art brush
Washi tape
LVX Cashmere
Julie G Old San Juan
Julie G Rio de Janeiro
Julie G Tahiti
Julie G Black Sheep
Glisten and Glow HK Girl
Essie Matte About You

Though I've used a nail art brush in my demo, this look could definitely be accomplished with a toothpick instead. Hop to it!

Tune in to the Nail'd It finale TONIGHT at 9/8c, only on Oxygen. Follow the show on their Facebook page, and join the conversation by following Oxygen on Instagram and using the hashtags #NailedIt and #ShowMetheMani. Don't forget, I'm briefly on tonight's episode!

Disclosure: This post has is sponsored by reps from Oxygen and Nail'd It!. Press samples provided by their respective representatives. All opinions are my own.

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Black Blooms Floral Nail Art

Though this design isn't explicitly Halloween, it is pretty morbid/somber and definitely seasonally appropriate. These black roses are a variation of my sweet rose floral nail art that I shared during the 31 Day Challenge, with a monochromatic twist. I paired the black blooms with ugly/pretty chartreuse leaves for a pop of color.

Nail polishes used:
Orly Highlight (base)
Formula X Dark Matter (black)
LVX Oyster (light grey)
LVX Anthracite (dark grey)
Deborah Lippmann Weird Science (chartreuse)

I began by applying Highlight as my base. I wasn't thrilled with the formula of this one, though I do love the color. It was fairly thin and sheer. I used three coats here.

The roses were simple. I put down a black blob shape, then used a small nail art brush to add the dark and light grey detailing. Chelsea Queen has a great rose tutorial you can check out for guidance. I then added the leaves, making sure they ended in points, and sealed everything in with HK Girl topcoat.

This is the second time I've been pleasantly surprised by the weirdness of a Deborah Lippmann shade; the first time was I Wanna Be Sedated. It's cool to see a brand that I usually associate with "pretty" shades do something odd, and the shimmer/foil in this one is showstopping.

I often do florals, but they are usually softer and more delicate. I am enjoying the contrast in this manicure, and still feel like I'm getting in the mood for Halloween!

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Ruby Red Japanese Floral Print

One of the most flexible prompts in the 31 Day Challenge is today's prompt, "inspired by a pattern." I once again enlisted the help of my friend Kristi for brainstorming, and she suggested a gorgeous Japanese bookplate floral print from designer Tory Burch. I loved seeing a floral done entirely with shades of red; it really stood out to me.

Nail polishes used:
OPI Steady As She Rose
OPI Coca Cola Red
American Apparel Port
Shimmer Polish Cindy

I love the contrast of the soft, neural base, with the bold, sumptuous burgundy. I painted the floral print freehand, and layered a red glitter over the dark cabernet as an accent on my thumb. Overall, I am so happy with these nails. Another winning idea from Kristi! Maybe I should start paying her...?

Previously, on "inspired by a pattern":

• Dark, matte, and dotted
• Partial checkerboards
• Pretty paisley

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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Nail Art Blocking

In the 31 Day Challenge, some days you win, some days you lose. And you probably won't have the time or the energy to scrap a mani that you may not be crazy about! So here we are.

It's inspired by a book day, and I decided to get creative and try doing three distinct segments of nail art, all related to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. From top to bottom, we've got the Emerald City, the yellow brick road, and the poppy fields. I love the idea in theory, but my execution leaves a bit to be desired.

Nail polishes and products used:
China Glaze Happy Go Lucky
Dermelect Belle Epoque
Polish My Life Birthday Suit
OPI Coca Cola Red
Sally Hansen Going Green
Formula X Dark Matter
China Glaze Running In Circles
Painter's tape

So I'm calling this one "nail art blocking" vs. "blocking nail art" because I am actually making blocks of different nail art looks. Blocking nail art, to me, is when the blocking is the essence of the nail art. How's that for logic?

I started by painting my nails yellow and adding the yellow brick road detailing. Then, I added a coat of quick dry topcoat and waited for it to dry completely. I taped off the triangles with painters tape, and then added the Emerald City and poppy fields blocks. A final swipe of topcoat and the mani was done!

If I were to do this again, I think I'd try freehanding the sections instead of taping them. I'd also use a lighter color for the brick outlining.

Previous literary manicures include:

• Invisible Monsters by Chuck Palahniuk
• The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein
• 1984 by George Orwell

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Anna Inspired Frozen Nail Art

It's "inspired by a movie" day in the 31 Day Challenge and I've done some nail art inspired by a movie that is sure to be a popular choice among other participants this year: Frozen! These tips are inspired by Anna's dress, which itself drew inspiration from a traditional piece of Norwegian clothing called a bunad. Her look features a black bodice, gold lacings, and flower details.

Nail polishes used:
Formula X Dark Matter (black)
Deborah Lippmann Autumn In New York (gold)
Essie Mojito Madness (green)
China Glaze Happy Go Lucky (yellow)
Misa Loveliest of Lilacs (purple)
Misa Lovely Lychee (pink)

I painted my nails black and then added the gold tips using the fishtail technique. The flowers and stems were painted freehand using my Edinburgh Realism #4 brush, and I used a pinpoint and small dotting tool to add the decorative dots. Everything is sealed in with two coats of Glisten and Glow HK Girl.

I have done quite a few movie manicures in the past! Check out what I've done previously for the challenge:

• Star Wars inspired nail art
• Eye of Sauron nail art from the Lord of the Rings trilogy
• Titan nail art from the movie Hercules

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Sweet Red Rose Floral Print

I had grand ambitions for today's 31 Day Challenge floral print, but when it came down to it, I just ran out of time. I will save my other idea for another time, though. I think it could be a really great manicure if I give it the time it deserves! I do love the way this rose nail art turned out. I think they are some of the best roses I've done and I like how clean the manicure looks overall.

Nail polishes used:
Models Own - Coconut Cream
China Glaze - Hey Sailor
China Glaze - Velvet Bow
China Glaze - Tree Hugger
Essie - Blanc
Sally Hansen - Night Flight

Okay, before we talk about the nail art, I'd like to take a moment to talk about Models Own Coconut Cream. I bought it kind of on a whim, and I freaking LOVE it. Great formula, beautiful off-white, and it's scented like coconut!

The roses are handpainted; their base is Hey Sailor, and I added the petal detailing with Blanc and Velvet Bow. The leaves are Tree Hugger and their detailing is in Night Flight. Chelsea Queen has a great floral tutorial you should check out if you are interested in rose nail art like this!

Flowers in your hair, flowers everywhere:

• Stargazer lily nail art tutorial
• Magenta floral nail art
• Plumeria print nail art

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70's Style Polka Dot Floral Print

This 70's style, fall-appropriate floral is my polka dot nail art for the 31 Day Challenge. It looks fairly complex at first glance, but it's simple when you start to break it down! I just combined dots together in different sizes and colors to create a simple floral pattern. It feels very vintage, don't you think?

Nail polishes used:
DIOSA Dime Piece (light grey)
Jessica Cosmetics NY State of Mind (dark grey)
Jessica Cosmetics Meet at the Plaza (olive green)
Color Club Je Ne Sais Quoi (mustard yellow)
LVX Roux (coral)
American Apparel Berry (burgundy)

This nail art was really very simple, it just took a bit to put all of the unique dot floral pieces together! I used four different dotting tool sizes: my large flat rhinestone picker, a large dotter, a small dotter, and a pinpoint dotter.

I was just about ready to mattify this, but I've been using matte topcoat on so many things lately. I decided to let it rock the glossy look.

Check out more of my polka dot nail art:

• Ladybugs
• Polka dot pyramids
• Punchy dot mix

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Blocked Green Plant Tendrils

I'm all for florals, but leaves and tendrils aren't things that get a lot of love from me. For today's 31 Day Challenge prompt, "green nails," I decided to let them be the star of the show. Then, for a bit of extra visual interest, I added a pinch of negative space and a little bit of blocking to the mix.

Polishes used:
OPI My Vampire is Buff (cream)
OPI Jade is the New Black (dark green)
LVX Midori (wasabi green)
Essie Go Overboard (teal stripe)

This look is entirely freehanded with a small nail art brush, including the pesky horizontal teal stripes. I like the style of the leaves but think I could have finessed them a bit more. The middle nail is my most favorite. I guess we are all our own worst critics, though!



Check out my green looks from previous years:

• China Glaze Ghoulish Glow
• Bulbasaur Nail Art
• Green Jade Nail Art

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Abstract Splattered Floral - OPI Neons Nail Art

I was recently playing around with the new Neons by OPI collection and thought they would be great in a handpainted splatter manicure. Very 80s, you know? As I built up the layers, the manicure started to look less like splatters and more like a loose floral, but I quite like it anyway!

I started by applying OPI's Put a Coat On!, which is a plain white meant to be used as a base under the neons.

Then, I used a small nail art brush to paint on some abstract splatter shapes with the following OPI neon shades:
Life Gave Me Lemons
You Are So Outta Lime
Down to the Core-al
Push & Pur-pull

I finished the manicure off with some handpainted black splatters for extra contrast.

What do you think -- is this look closer to splatters or a floral print?

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Sweet and Simple Buttery Floral

I guess I've got yellow florals on the brain -- two of them in two days! This one is a simpler, quicker look with a soft buttery base and a delicate glitter accent nail. This whole look took me maybe 15-20 minutes to complete... Who doesn't love that?

All of the nail polishes that I used in this look are new releases from Color Club.

The flower nails, which use shades from the Paris in Love collection, began with a base of Macaroon Swoon, a beautiful pale yellow.

Then, using a small nail art brush, I painted on simple five-petal flowers in different sizes using Je Ne Sais Quoi, a warm mustard shade. Final touches included adding dots of Fondue for Two to the centers, and painting on small leaves using La Petite Mint-sieur.

The matte microglitter accent nails show three coats of Orange Crush, from the Modern Mosaic collection.

It's always nice to have a few designs in your arsenal that can be done in a very short amount of time. We all lead such busy lives nowadays!

Color Club polishes are available via ShopColorClub.com. Each of these shades retails for $8.

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The Lacquer Legion Garden: Black-Eyed Susan 3D Floral Nail Art

This month's theme for The Lacquer Legion is "Garden" and, as I'm sure many others did, I chose to do floral nail art. Florals are something I've done a lot of, so I did two things to make this one stand out from my other manicures. First: I wanted to represent a specific type of flower, namely, black-eyed Susans. Second: I got the idea to put flocking powder in the centers to make them look more realistic and add a bit of texture and depth!

Nail polishes used in this nail art include:
Misa Ripe Raspberry - pink base
China Glaze Happy Go Lucky - yellow petals
Zoya Arizona - orange detailing
Zoya Louise - dark brown centers and detailing
Misa Lime Love & Zoya Hunter - mixed to create green stems

I finished the flowers with polish and topcoat before going back and adding in the fuzzy centers. Since you shouldn't topcoat over flocking powder, you want to make sure you do your topcoat beforehand so the nail art is flattened, smoothed, and protected.

To make the fuzzy centers, paint on polish where you want the fuzzies to be. I used topcoat to adhere the fuzz to my nail, but you could also choose a polish that matches the color of your fuzz. Then, using tweezers, drop flocking powder on to the wet areas of polish. Gently press the powder down into the polish, let set, and use a fan brush or fluffy makeup brush to gently dust off the excess.

I'm really REALLY happy with these. The fuzzy centers pop even more in person and add some awesome dimension to the flowers.

Follow The Lacquer Legion on Facebook or Instagram for once monthly nail art prompts aimed at bringing together the nail polish community!

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The Lacquer Legion Lucky: Maneki-Neko (Lucky Cat) Nail Art

March's theme for The Lacquer Legion is "lucky," and while I am definitely fortunate in many areas of my life, I decided to take this month's prompt in a more tangible and less abstract direction. My nail art depicts a maneki-neko; you may be more familiar with it as a "lucky cat." These Japanese figurines are often found in restaurants and shops, and are believed to bring good luck to the owner. Their paws are depicted in an upright, beckoning gesture.

The maneki-neko is painted freehand with a small nail art brush, and I added some black, white, and gold sakura around it on the other nails.

I took the stylized kanji on my thumb from this lucky cat illustration by Emma Barratt - I believe it is "fuku" which means blessing, fortune, and luck (maybe someone can confirm for me). Hopefully I didn't butcher the symbol too badly!

Shades used in this nail art include:
Seche Scorchin' Hot
Essie Good As Gold
Cult Nails Tempest
American Apparel Hassid

Have you seen one of these little guys before? I think they are just so cute and friendly!

If you'd like to participate in The Lacquer Legion's monthly challenges, be sure to like it on Facebook and follow @TheLacquerLegion on Instagram!

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Watercolored Roses and a Textured Accent

I have been struggling a little with inspiration lately, as you may have noticed from my lack of posts! I'll discuss this more at the end of the post if you're interested, but for now let's talk about this nail art. What's an uninspired gal to do? Florals, of course! Nothing super groundbreaking here, but I am happy with the way they came out and I love the textured accent nail. Read on for more details about how I did this manicure.

The base of this manicure is OPI Don't Pretzel My Buttons, which is one of my favorite nude shades.

I added some loose rose shapes using a technique that I first saw on Mr. Candiipants' YouTube channel -- it is kind of a mix of the watercolor technique with regular freehand painting. They looked really awesome but then I covered them up with the petal detailing (oops). The polish I used is Nails Inc. St. Martin's Lane, which I don't see on it's own at Sephora but is available in the Autumn/Winter Collection. Next, I mixed it with white for the petal details and painted them over the top.

I also used the same technique to add leaves with China Glaze Exotic Encounters. I gave the leaves some depth by mixing the shade with black and watercoloring that on as well.

The final step was to add the accent nail of Zoya Chita on my thumb.

It's funny that most of my floral designs almost always turn out as full nail patterns -- not sure why that is! The textured accent nail is a nice breather from the intensity of the floral pattern and I think it adds a lot to the completed manicure.

What do you think? Too early for florals or a good break from all the wintery holiday designs?

So as I mentioned in the beginning of the post, I have been struggling with inspiration lately. I'm not sure what it is; maybe it's a combination of some real life things that have happened lately, the holidays, and consistently blogging for three years now... It's hard to go go go and then keep going, you know? Especially since this blog is something that I maintain in my free time (outside of my full time job). I have been trying to let myself take a break, but that's hard too. I love blogging and doing nail art and to be stuck in this weird place is frustrating.

I am working on some ways to shake things up for the new year, and hopefully that will help to get me over this hump. If you guys have any suggestions for things you'd like to see or thoughts you'd like to share, please feel free to comment below or email/tweet/Facebook/Instagram me. All my social links can be found in the bar at the very top of the page.

As always, I am so thankful to have you guys around. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

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