Moroccan Tile Nial Art

Hello loves!

Tonight's late night mani was inspired be the oh-so-fabulous Jessica of @lalalovenailart.  I've had the pleasure of meeting Jessica in person and she is just awesome :)  She created this look back in August and I've kept it lingering in the back of my mind as a must-do.  I finally got around to it last week...

 Colors Used - She Nail Polish - Dirty Red, Salon Perfect - Oil Slick, Acrylic Paint, Mentality Matte Top Coat

Jessica got inspired by some Moroccan tile she saw on the internet when she did her mani and I loved it.  I ended up choosing a color palette that gave this look a darker, more Gothic tone... but it still works right? ;)

I started with 2 coats each of my base colors and then with acrylic paint, I free-handed my pattern.  Using top coat and a dotting tool I applied my studs and then everything got topped with Mentality Polish Matte Top Coat.

I think I love this one <3

I hope you (in the States) have an amazing Thanksgiving!  I plan on gaining 10 pounds lol.

Until next time!

Stef <3

Skele-tons Of Skele-fun!

Hello lovlies!

I changed my mind since yesterday.  I am NOT over the Halloween manis lol.  I was just lacking inspiration, but then out of the blue yesterday I decided I wanted to try skulls.  Executing this thought in my head was more difficult than I thought, but once I figured it out it was a cinch.

 

 Colors Used: Mentality - Tempest, Sally Hansen - White On, Acrylic Paint

I started with my matte base color, Tempest.  This beauty only needs one coat; it's my favorite of my Mentality collection ;)  I then took the end of a nail art brush (because I don't have a dotting tool this large) and placed large white dots on my nails.

I then took a detail brush and applied white stripes (with acrylic paint because it's easier to work with) for the jaws.  I straightened out the jaws with a swipe of Tempest across their bottoms and topped with Mentality Matte Top Coat.

 "You wanna know why skeletons are so calm?  Because nothing gets under their skin!" Ba-dum-bum!

I really really love the way these turned out!  But... I am now uninspired again hahaha.  Any suggestions???

Until next time!

Stef <3

I'm Ready for Fall!

Hello lovelies!

I have a quick post for you this evening :)  I made the mistake of going in to Bath & Body Works today and they have all of there new Fall products on display... *sigh*... it was glorious.  So now I am desperately longing for the seasons to change.  I want cool air, changing leaves... I want to wear some boots! 

A big theme with their decor items is squirrels.  I don't know why, but squirrels.  I decided to do some cute acorns (inspired by Lacq Lustre)...

 Colors Used: Love & Beauty - Beige, Acrylic Paints, Mentality - Matte Top Coat

I'm still practicing with acrylic paints and while these didn't turn out as flawlessly as I would have liked, I do think they're pretty cute :P

 I started with my beige base and let it dry (I actually went to work and then when I got home, I continued my nail art-ing haha.  Anybody else ever do that?).  I then used a nail art brush and acrylic paints to paint the acorns.  Lastly, I applied a generous matte top coat (Mentality Polish Matte Topper which is my fave!)...

It's growing on me haha...

I hope you all have had a wonderful week!  I now must dash off...

Until next time!

Stef <3

Forrest at Twilight

Hello dolls!

So, I was sitting around yesterday trying to find some nailspiration and nothing was coming to mind.  I looked outside my window and the clouds were an array of purples, pinks and oranges.  I decided I would do a twilight gradient...

 Colors Used: Revlon Parfumerie - Wild Violets, Love & Beauty - Purple, China Glaze - Peonies & Park Ave, American Apparel - Manila, Black and White Acrylic Paint, Mentality - Matte Top Coat

This is one of those rare times where I'm wearing what I'm posting haha.  I can't stop staring at my hands!

I started with a white base of Sally Hansen White On, just one coat so that it would dry quickly.  I then layered my 4 polished on a make-up sponge and dabbed away.  After I cleaned up that whole mess, I painted some pine trees with black acrylic painy (my nerd of a husband said, "Oh! You painted confiers!").  I dotted the stars with some white acrylic paint.  I topped it all off with Mentality's Matte Top Coat and tada!

Makes me wanna go camping!

I think it's time for a nap, looking at these makes me sleepy.  It could also be the eucalyptus-mint candle that I've got burning haha...

Until next time!

Stef <3

Kiss Nail Dress - Comic Nail Strips

Hello lovelies!

Today I have a mani featuring some nail strips that I found while I was out shopping a couple of weeks ago...

 

A new trend that I'm seeing with this particular brand is that they're offering both full nail and french tip strips in the packaging.  I think it's a cool concept :)

 

Application of these strips is very simple.  You don't need a base coat (although I always use one), just make sure your nails are clean.  Match the right sized strip to you your nail and then peel it from the plastic sheeting and apply.  I recommend using a cuticle stick/pusher to press down the edges.  Fold the strip down and file away the excess.  That is the end of Kiss's instructions, but I always add top coat at the end to secure my free edges ;)  This time around I used a my favorite matte top coat from Mentality Nail Polish.

Kapow!!

I love nail strips because they make it easy to do a fun mani when you're short on time (which is happening to me more and more as of late haha).  These strips are supposed to last a week but I only had them on for a couple of days.  Looking for strips with more staying power?  Stay tuned in ;)

Until next time!

Stef <3

Lilacs for Easter

Hello dearies!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!  I spent that day singing with friends and eating with family; all is well with the world ;)  I decided to forgo the eggs and bunnies this year and just do a simple scene of a lilac field...

 Colors: Mentality - Elizabeth, Sinful Colors Nail Art - Simple but Fun, Sally Hansen - Green with Envy, China Glaze - What a Pansy

I was inspired but an adorable mani I saw by @just1nail on IG.  I thought it was just the thing I was looking for!  I started with 2 coats of Mentality's Elizabeth, which actually is a stunning shimmery pale-pink that dies to a perfect matte finish.  It's one of my faves!

I then applied 2 shades of green with a striping brush for my grass.  Last, I added some purple dotting for my lilac flowers.  Really simple :)

*Sigh* I just love Spring manicures!

Today acutally marks 2 years of blogging for me (yippee!).  be sure to check back in a couple of hours for a "surprise" *hint hint*...

Until next time!

Stef <3

I'm Feelin' Cheesy

Hello dolls,

Today I decided to be adventurous and try out s mani that I saw from the always awesome Christabell Nails!  I saw her mani on IG and she had mentioned also having a video tutorial so I figured it was worth a shot haha...

 Colors Used: Sally Hansen - Lightening, OPI - The "It" Color, Julep - Blake

I friggin' love the way this turned out!  I just think it's super cute :)

I followed Christabell's easy-to-follow instructions and it really was a cinch!  I top coated with my new favorite matte topper from Mentality.  They seriously make the best matte polishes... ever... for reals.

 

Eep!

To find out how this look is achieved, check out the video link above!  I hope you all have a fabulous day :D

Until next time!

Stef <3

Inspired by the Evil Queen

Hiya, lovies!

I have a quick post for you today.  My inspiration was The Evil Queen (who's name is actually Queen Grimhilde) from Disney's Snow White...

 Colors Used: Rimmel - Black Satin, OPI - It Color and Stay the Night, Mentality - Tempest, Daisy Nail Lacquer - White Diamond, Maybeline - Carbon Frost

I wanted to go for something a little more dark/sinister rather than cartoonish...

I free-handed the crown and apple and then used stamping plate SH02 for the skull and cross bones.

I wish the detail of the apple popped more but c'est la vie!

It's almost the weekend!!  Anyone else excited?  :P

Until next time!

Stef <3

Eiffel Tower Tutorial

Hello, dolls!

Today I have a tutorial on how I achieved my "Eiffel Tower Mani".  I recieved a lot of positive response for it and at the request of Rhonda over at Nails Beautiqued, I've put together a step by step tut :)  Instructions will be listed under the image...

 

( I apologize for the image being so huge!  The next size down made it too small to read :\ )

Directions:

1. After base-coating, apply your base colors (black ring finger, pink for the rest)

2.  Using a medium sized dotting tool, place 3 dots down the center of your nail.

3.  Continue placing dots on either side of your nail, between the dots you've already created. (having the dots at the tip of your nail halved creates a continuation effect)

4. On your ring finger, paint 2 horizontal lines as if you are drawing an "A".

5. At the bottom 3rd of your tower, paint a vertical line that extends outward.

6. At the top 3rd of your tower, paint a smaller vertical like that extends outward.

7. Near the very top of your tower, paint your final vertical line.  Then go down to the base of your tower and begin painting the "curved arch".  I always go right to left, but do what is comfortable for you :)

8. Once you've completed the legs, fill in any bald/thin spots of your tower and then top coat.

That's it!  I hope you'll give this look a try.  For my Instagramers, be sure to share your inspired manis with me via #fairlyinspired  :D

Until next time!

Stef <3

Feeling Mushy!

Good morning lovelies!

I apologize in advance for any nausea you may experience in the next 5 minutes lol.  My anniversary is on Sunday!  It will be one year since I married my handsome goofball and it really has flown by.  It's been a year of big changes and growth for the both of us and things just keep getting better. all this is preface to the fact that I'm in a romantical mood this week, soooo.... you get romantic mani's!! Lol...

 Colors Used: Mentality Nail Polish - Elizabeth, Rimmel - Black Satin

While I personally don't have a strong desire to go to Paris, it is the stereotypical romantic destination.  And... I like painting the Eiffel Tower haha.

 I started with 2 coats of Elizabeth which is actually a GORGEOUS matte polish.  It has a beautiful light pink shimmer that I couldn't seem to capture thru photos.  I discovered Mentality Nail Polish whilst perusing Etsy and I'm so glad I did!  The polishes are amazing and I can't wait to order more!  

Here is a solo shot of Elizabeth ($7.00 for those who are curious)...

 Anywhosy, to create the tower I started with my "A" shape using a striping brush. I then painted two smaller lines at the top.  Lastly, I painted a curved line at the base so that the tower didn't look so rigid.  The polka dots were achieved using a dotting tool...

I'm tossing around the idea of doing a tutorial for this mani?  Would anyone be interested??  Lemme know!

Until next time!

Stef :)