Santa Hats

A friend tagged me on Facebook with the tutorial done by @Keshialilly for Santa hats.  I have seen multiple versions of this but decided to do a blingy version.  I used OPI My Vampire Is Buff for the base and the hats are using OPI Magazine Mouse Cover and Solitaire which are both liquid sands.  I fished out a few holographic glitters for the bells from OPI I Snow You Love Me.  Came out very cute.

Caribbean Christmas

My friend and trainer Amanda is going to be headed to the Caribbean on vacation over the holidays.  I jokingly told her that she should do Caribbean Christmas nails but when I got home I figured I would give it a try myself.  The Gradient is done using Illamasqua Cameo, Harem and Jo'Mina.  I didn't use a white base because I wanted it to look more sheer and I am happy with how it came out. In person, it almost looks like mist floating across the water.  I used acrylic paint in black to paint on Santa's sleigh and reindeer along with some palm trees adorned with a Christmas stocking. 

DD Does Red Gold and Green-No Idea What to Call This

Great title right?  I thought about it for a good five minutes and then gave up.  I just didn't know what to call this.  It started out with an inspiration that I found searching Christmas wallpaper and ended up looking nothing like the inspiration but it still looks pretty darned cool.  This is China Glaze Def Defying and Red Satin.  I added a little depth with some stamping using China Glaze Budding Romance and Purr-fect Plum.  Also added a little touch of gold in the form of some dots.  It's a little loud but I really loved it.

DD Does Red, Gold and Green-Christmas Wreaths

It wouldn't be red gold and green without an attempt at Christmas Wreaths.  This is Cult Nails Blaze as the base and I used acrylics to paint on the wreaths.  Added some beads for mini ornaments.  This did not stay on long.  I can't stand beads on my nails.  Even with top coat, it still bugs the heck out of me.  Blaze was an untried for me and I really loved it.  it took three coats to be opaque enough to wear on it's own.

DD Does Red, Gold and Green Christmas Sweater

You know if I have to use green, I'm grabbing the ManGlaze.  I called this "Christmas Sweater" because it is what this particular stamp reminds me of.  This is ManGlaze Nawsome Sauce stamped with Essie As Gold As It Gets and I added some dots with A England.  It really looked so much better in real life than in photographs and I got quite a few compliments while Christmas shopping.  As always, ManGlaze wears like iron.  I had this manicure on for five days.

DD Does Red, Gold and Green With Red French

I know, I know, I have already done something similar but I will tell you honestly, I could wear this style manicure every day for the rest of my life.  I love the textured polishes and the colorful thin tips just add a little something special.  This is OPI Honey Ryder with Magazine Cover Mouse on the tips.

DD Red, Gold and Green-Christmas Ribbon and Ornaments

Five days of Red, Gold and Green Manicures????  I had to space these suckers out a bit.  I am not really a fan of gold.  Amazingly I have quite a bit of it in my collection.  I guess with that many polishes its inevitable.  I got this inspiration by searching for Christmas wallpaper.  I needed to break away from using solely the three colors for at least one manicure.  This is a double stamp for the background using three different colors.  I used 10 polishes in all to create this so I will not bore you with all the details.  Ask if you have a question about a particular color. 

Digital Dozen Does Black and White Abstract Floral

This was based on some scrapbook paper.  Really simple freehand design.  I really loved this theme week.  I can't remember who picked it but I appreciated it because I had a lot of fun.

Digital Dozen Does Black And White Girl Blowing Bubbles

I saw this on a web page that sells wall silhouettes.  How cute is this?  I figured I would try to recreate it.  Using? You guessed it!!!  Cult Nails Tempest as a base with acrylic paint for the image.

Digital Dozen Does Black and White Framed Stamping

A while back I saw this post by Kayla Shevonne and fell in love.  She is so creative and talented.  I attempted to recreate it but it was kind of a fail for me because the stamping didn't come out as clean as I would have liked.  I use a credit card for scraping and it really needs to be replaced because it doesn't scrape well anymore.  I still love the look.  For the third time this week, I am sticking to my old favorites, Cult Nails Nevermore and Tempest.

The Digital Dozen Does Black and White OPI Liquid Sands

Really simple mani for you today.  I used OPI Solitaire and wrapped the tips in OPI Emotions.  This is a great combination.  Really elegant looking.

The Digital Dozen Does Black and White-Man And His Best Friend

So, this week is black & white themed.  I did a wide variety this week from stamping to patterns, freehand to simple.  Kicking it off with a simple acrylic silhouette in black over Cult Nails Tempest.

OPI Emotions Swatch

The Digital Dozen week is coming up starting on Monday and we have a Black and White theme in store for you.  So, I spent the last week playing with all of my black and white polishes.  What I learned is that OPI Emotions from the Mariah Carey Holiday Collection is my new favorite black.  I ended up using it only in one manicure and in a very subtle manner for the upcoming week but I decided to wear it alone this week because I loved it so much.  I am really into these textured polishes.  This is two quick coats, it has a gorgeous reflective shine from the black glitter and it wore like iron for four days.  No problem with removal.

The Digital Dozen Says Goodbye Leslie

As many of you know, we decided several months ago to create a social media platform using the Digital Dozen group.  Leslie from Work Play Polish has been a part of the Digital Dozen since the beginning.  She decided she needs to leave because, if you are following her you know, she has some amazing collaborations in the works and working full time and spending time with her family are also life priorities.  Simply put, there isn't enough Leslie to go around.  So, as a goodbye, we decided to recreate one of her manicures.  Ummmm, seriously?  Why don't we just try and recreate the works of Picasso.  That might be a tad easier.  So here is my weak attempt at trying to recreate this (which I have been totally in love with since I laid eyes on it).  I used some random striper polishes I have had because I thought that would be easier and create a different look from the original.  It still took me 1 1/2 hours and I only did four fingers. I was happy with it but it pales in comparison to Leslie's.

 

 

Good luck Leslie in all your future endeavors and I will happily be cheering you on from Facebook, Instagram and Bloglovin.  here is a look at the rest of the recreations......



Digital Dozen Does Skittles With Textured Stripes

I decided to stick with my texture theme and use the Zoya Pixie Dust polishes from the first collection.  I found a base color that was similar using a variety of different brands and taped off a section to add the Pixies.

Digital Dozen Does Skittles With A Little Texture

Just something really simple for today.  I used OPI Magazine Cover Mouse and Emotions for the two textured nails and Zoya Maura, Avery and Raven for the others.  Simple and pretty overall.

Digital Dozen Skittles Manglaze Matte and Not

The thing I love most about ManGlaze polish is that it has so much hidden shimmer that you can see once it is top coated.  This was a great way to showcase it in a variety of ways. This is Royal Matterimoaning.

Digital Dozen Skittles With Liquid Sand and Pixie Dust

There are so many great textured polishes out now and I still enjoy wearing them.  I am hoping the trend sticks around for a while.  I love Zoya's Godiva so much because it is such a great neutral with a little bit of sparkle for interest.  I used it as the base here for some circles in OPI Liquid Sands.  I used Tiffany Case, My Current Crush, Can't Let Go and Magazine Cover Mouse.

Digital Dozen Skittles With OPI Is That Silva

This month the Digital Dozen is doing skittles as a theme.  I am not great at skittles so this week was difficult for me.  I always struggle with how to put things together so that they blend well.  I was recently at Cosmoprof and picked up OPI Is That Silva which is a magnetic polish.  I wore it on its own and was really impressed.  Not only did it have that great design created by the magnet but it has some hidden holographic sparkles that are really impressive. I wondered what else I could do with the polish to get more use out of it but in a creative way.  This is what I came up with over a base of OPI Pamplona Purple.

The Nail Challenge Colaborative-Marc Jacobs Polish Gradient

This is my last post for technique month and sadly, my last post with the Nail Challenge Collaborative.  I love this group of ladies so much and I have been with some of them for a year and a half now but I am spread a little thin lately.  I really want to spend some time trying new things on my own schedule.  I will still follow everyone and what they are working on because there is a lot of talent in that group and I will miss them. 

What I have today is a simple gradient using Marc Jacobs Oui and Desire. I am loving these polishes.  Perfect application, great drying time and amazing durability.  I will be buying them all.  I love the look of red and pink together.  This was really beautiful in person.

The Nail Challenge Collaborative-Love Stamp With Hearts

This is the third post of the month for The Nail Challenge Collaborative.  This month was technique month.  I set out to watermarble over stamping but it was a fail so I resorted to using a dotting tool to make some hearts.  This is Zoya Jaqueline with Black stamping polish and Hearts in A England Rose Bower.

The Nail Challenge Collaborative-Zoya Savita French Tip

This month is technique month.  I was looking through my Pinterest boards for things I pinned and wanted to try this black matte mani with top coated French tips that Chloe's Nails did.  I see this pinned all the time.  I decided to pull out one of my old favorites for a different twist.  This is Zoya Savita with Seche Vite on the tips.  Gorgeous!!!!

Digital Dozen Does it Again-Another Mondo Guerra Inspiration

Here we have done fashion inspirations again and I decided to do a third Mondo Guerra design.  This is Zoya Tobey, Essie Nothing Else Metals, Cult Nails Nevermore and Zoya Robyn.  I really loved this one.

Digital Dozen Does it Again-Tape Mani With Texture

I was inspired to try this because of a post I saw on Instagram that was done by Lab Muffin.  If you don't follow her already on her blog and Instagram, you need to.  She is fabulous.  She does amazing manicures and has a cool scientific approach to all things nail related.  This is Cult Nails Time Traveler topped with OPI Wharf! Wharf! Wharf! which is from the newest liquid sand releases.  The two colors were nearly identical but the texture really came out with the use of the tape.  I also paired it in one picture with a necklace I got in my latest Rocksbox.  Rocksbox is like Netflix for jewelry.  I always love getting the packages in the mail.

Digital Dozen Does it Again-Thing 1 and Thing 2

Today's theme was books.  I kept with my children's theme and did another Dr. Seuss.  This time I went with Thing 1 and Thing 2.  I used Barry M Prickly Pear as the base.

Digital Dozen Does It Again-Ninja Polish Bling

I could wear Ninja Polish's Caribean reef every week for the rest of eternity.  it is so pretty but I hate that photos do not do it justice.  For the first time ever, I have attempted to capture it on video so you can see it's beauty.  I paired it with Ninja's Strawberries N Roses, which is also spectacular.  the base color is Zoya Dove.  First the photo....

 



The Digital Dozen Does It Again-The Pink Panther

The theme for today was animals.  I settled on The Pink Panther as an accent.  The other fingers are Zoya Reagan with a pink glitter polish by Finger paints on the top.  I don't know the name because this is another one I did on vacation.  The Panther was done in acrylics.

The Digital Dozen Does It Again-Cut The Rope

This week is geek week.  I always tend to think about video games when I think geeks.  One of my favorites (which I do not play anymore because it is addicting) is Cut The Rope.  Love the graphics and the audio.  This was my little interpretation.  Don't ask me about colors because I did it on vacation and didn't write them all down.  Sorry.....

Nail Challenge Collaborative-Redskins Tribute

This month's theme for our group was techniques.  I used stamping and free hand art to complete a quick manicure I did for the redskins season opener tomorrow.  The base is Manglaze Fatty's Got More Blood and the feathers are stamped using BM12 and Milani White On The Spot.  I freehanded the emblem using acrylic paint.

Digit-al Dozen Does it Again-Love & Heartbreak

Something real simple today.  This is Zoya Julie for the base coat.  I stamped with Zoya Reagan and then did a gradient heart using Zoya Reagan and Zoya Raven.

Digit-al Dozen Does it Again-The Scream

OK, don't be too judgemental.  Keep in mind that I am trying to recreate an amazing work of art on a teeny tiny canvas.  You can get the idea though right?  This is my depiction of The Scream by Edvard Munch.  Acrylics on a black base.

Digit-al Dozen Does it Again-Festiveness Ribbons

Christmas in September?  Well, I didn't go all out.  I kept it simple and went with some ribbon garland.  It reminds me of the costumes they have for dogs during Halloween that they wear around their necks.  They have holiday versions too.  This is Barry M Lychee for the base with ribbons in A England St, George and Rose Bower.  I used some gold glitter on the top for some added bling.

Digital Dozen Does It Again-Music

I always wanted to do a keyboard.  I have never done one yet.  This was all freehand using Cult Nails Nevermore and Tempest.  I did some notes with acrylic paint and added some colored studs.  This looked so dynamic in person.

Digital Dozen Does It Again-Halloween

Of course Halloween is one of my favorites to do.  I am actually excited for fall colors.  I did a muted version of Orange that is not so bright. I used Barry M Papaya and stamped with A England's Princess Tears.  Then I simply added a spider in black.  I really love this.

Digital Dozen Does It Again-Blue Stamping

 

So the Digital Dozen is celebrating one year together.  I am actually a newbie in the group.  I missed out on the first four months.  They decided to do something special for the one year anniversary.  We are doing one manicure for each monthly theme.  So, this will be my first time doing the first four themes.  This theme is blue.  I used Zoya Song and stamped with Color Club Over The Moon.  I had no sun to take the pics so this didn't capture how really beautiful the combo is.

 

 

September Spectaular Giveaway

The Digital Dozen nail art group is having a giveaway to celebrate one year of monthly nail art challenges. Everyone has joined together to contribute to a $200 gift card for one lucky winner to any polish store that offers international shipping. That's right, INTERNATIONAL. This group has amazing talent and all of their blogs are impressive and well worth following. To enter, simply use the Rafflecopter below. The winner will be selected in two weeks and must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize. Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Digital Dozen Does Fashion-Another Mondo Guerra

Here is design number two from Mondo's collection.  Another great look.  I used Cult Nails Nakizzle's Shizzle and Zoya Pasha along with black stamping polish.

Digital Dozen Does Fashion-Kenley Collins

One of my all-time favorites on project Runway was Kenley Collins.  She was super talented and spicy.  I loved her creativity.  This dress was super cute and delicate.  I don't really think I did it justice but gave my best effort.  I used Zoya Jacqueline as a base and acrylic paint for the pattern.

Digital Dozen Does Fashion-Mondo Guerra

Another one of my favorite designers on Project Runway is Mondo Guerra.  I loved his collection so much, I am doing two recreations this week.  This is the first of the two.  I used all Zoya Polishes for this.  I used Jana, Dove, Tobey and Snow White.

Digital Dozen Does Fashion-Duct Tape?

I loved this episode of Project Runway.  They made a prom dress out of duct tape.  This was a team challenge featuring Michelle Lesniak Franklin and Amanda Valentine.  They won, how could they not with this great piece?  I recreated it using Cult Nails Evil Queen and some black stamping polish.

Digital Dozen Does Fashion-Uli Herzner inspired

I am a Project Runway fan.  Love the show, love the designers.  I have a few favorites that I will be showing you this week.  The first is my favorite designer, Uli Herzner.  This dress is really beautiful and I loved how it moved on the runway.  I used the watercolor method on naked nails to achieve that sheer look using Zoya Keiko and Perrie and stamped it with Essie As Gold As It Gets.

The Nail Challenge Collaborative-Flowers by Butter London

Finally!!!  Last of the flower theme.  I bought some new Butter London's this week.  I couldn't wait to try them out and I still had a few untrieds in my Butter London stash so I opted to do my last design using all polish and no acrylic paints.  I used the following....

Base-Cuppa
Leaves-Dosh
Flowers-Primrose Hill Picnic, Molly Coddled, Fruit Machine, HRH and Pimms.

The Nail Challenge Collaborative-One Stroke Flowers

I have found the perfect nude polish for me.  This is Barry M Lychee as a base.  I used some acrylic paints to add some flowers on the top.

The Nail Challenge Collaborative-Double Stamp Flowers

I worked on some business cards for a co-worker this week and really loved the design.  I decided to try and duplicate the colors and design on my nails.  It actually came out pretty good.  This is Milani White on the Spot as a base.  I used Bundle Monster plates to make some vines in Barry M Key Lime and then some flowers using ManGlaze Royal Matterimoaning.  It looks like wallpaper.

Digit-al Dozen Does Tape Manis-Sheswai Duo

Sadly, this did not photograph as well as it looks in person.  I used Sheswai Stoned as a base.  I used saran wrap to add Sheswai Totally and then taped off a triangle and painted on Totally around the outside.  No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get a good pic.  I loved the combination of the two colors though.

Dgit-al Dozen Does Tape Manis-Berry M Gradient

Today's post is short and sweet.  A simple gradient using Barry M Gelly polishes in Prickly Pear and Green Berry.