Archive | December, 2011

Inspirationail: The 12 Nails Of Christmas – Day 12

23 Dec

The 12 Nails of Christmas

We finally got here: day 12! So impressed that I finally made it through the challenge, I certainly wouldn’t have if it weren’t for Chloe’s help when things got busy over the last 12 days!

Today’s inspiration is a little more unique than the rest: a Christmas song! Rocking Around the Christmas Tree to be exact, so I added black studs onto my deep red “I’m Not Really A Waitress” by OPI. The rock star in me was thrilled when I came up with this idea, given that she lives so close to my surface (I have previously been known to dye sections of my hair bright red or blue and love anything with studs or shiny metal detailing).

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I picked up the studs from Spotlight and dotted them randomly over the still wet second coat before I put a top coat over the whole lot.

Have a wonderfully merry Christmas everyone!

Asha xx

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Inspirationail: The 12 Nails of Christmas – Day 11

22 Dec

The 12 Nails of Christmas

I’m back! I was so excited when Asha asked me to do another 12 Nails of Christmas post AND when she gave me the ultra cool idea for Christmas ombré nails. I had wanted to try this pretty nail technique ever since Asha gave it a go while I was away on holidays.

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For this design I used Revlon’s Gold Coin (cos it makes me feel super rich) and Sephora by OPI Curve-aceous. The technique is quite easy, but if you are anything like me you might have to spend a bit of time afterwards cleaning up your fingers with polish remover – it was not a pretty sight, but I got there in the end! Follow Asha’s step-by-step ombré tutorial to master this technique.

One more day to go, Asha has a killer design to celebrate day 12! I hope you are enjoying the lead up to the festive season as much as I am.

Chloe xx

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Inspirationail: The 12 Nails of Christmas – Day 10

21 Dec

The 12 Nails of Christmas

We have reached day nine and I thought I’d do little Christmas designs on two of the nails, I like that they are the middle two fingers as they are kind of framed by the surrounding fingers.

Christmas tree and holly nails

I think that the holly is my favourite one that I’ve done so far! The detail looks so fun and intricate but it was actually really easy with my little paintbrush and a steady hand. I used OPI’s A Oui Bit of Red and China Glaze Emerald Fitzgerald for this design.

I can’t believe I have almost reached the end of my challenge! Two to go and Chloe is up next with her Christmas ombré… Stay tuned!

Asha xx

 

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Inspirationail: The 12 Nails of Christmas – Day 9

20 Dec

The 12 Nails of Christmas

Aah so we are nearly there, day 9 – this one was so much fun! Chloe showed you how to cover your nails in wrapping paper and I show you how to make five little presents on them! Five presents are much better than one and I loved the idea of having different coloured ribbon on each nail.

Present nails

For this design I used OPI’s Moon Over Mumbai for the base and the ribbons were OPI Glitzerland and a Oui Bit of Red, China Glaze Emerald Fitzgerald and Coconut Kiss, the silver was once again the Orly mini that I seem to be getting a lot of use out of these days!

Enjoy x

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Try Something New Tuesday: Tap Dancing

20 Dec

Try Something New Tuesday

Some of you may know that I recently started tap dancing classes. The decision to start tap came after watching the Gene Kelly classics Singin’ in the Rain and An American in Paris – swoon!

I used to dance a lot, but stopped about five years ago and after watching Kelly take out the dance floor I realised how much I missed it. I know you are probably thinking “I thought this segment was about trying new things – you’re being a bit lazy aren’t you Chloe?” – I know – because I thought that myself. However to me it feels new. The last time I danced I was pretty much a child and was way more confident in my abilities as a dancer.

That said once I got past the awkward formalities of being introduced to the class and shuffling my way through the first steps, the confidence I once had came crawling back. It was such a great feeling!

I may never be as good a dancer as Gene, but it sure is fun to try!

Picture designed with Polyvore.

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Inspirationail: The 12 Nails of Christmas – Day 8

19 Dec

The 12 Nails of Christmas

So by the time I returned from work this week I was a little exhausted and had been neglecting my challenge and my nails.

My friends and I decided to treat ourselves to a manicure which was so much fun and a relaxing yet satisfying way to have my nails done. Let’s just say it was so nice to have someone else paint them so flawlessly!

So as an addition, albeit a side-step away from my challenge, here is day 8. I got them to add the stars on my ring fingers to make my mani more Christmassy!

Manicured nails

Promise I’ll be back on track tomorrow!

Asha xx

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Inspirationail: The 12 Nails Of Christmas – Day 7

18 Dec

The 12 Nails of Christmas

Chloe here again! I enjoyed doing the last post so much that I wanted to give another one a go! While this nail design may be a little impractical, it is so much fun and would last long enough to wow everyone at a Christmas party!

For this design all you need is clear nail polish (I used OPI’s Nail Envy) and some leftover foil wrapping paper in a fun and colorful design.

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First you will need to cut the wrapping paper to size so it fits around your nail, forming a curved edge which will sit against your cuticles. I found that it was easier to cut the bits of wrapping paper a bit longer than the length of your nail so you have more control when applying them to your nails. Once all the bits of wrapping paper are cut to size paint your nails with the clear polish and carefully stick the wrapping paper to your nail, gently pressing down to eliminate bubbles. Repeat this step until each nail is covered.

Once the polish has dried, gently cut off the excess paper with small scissors. If you wanted to seal the paper down even more you could carefully paint clear nail polish on top. Enjoy!

Chloe xx

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Inspirationail: The 12 Nails Of Christmas – Day 6

17 Dec

The 12 Nails of Christmas

Hey, Chloe here. I’ll be taking the reigns (he he reigns…reindeer…sleigh…get it?!) today while Asha has a bit of a break, she has had an incredibly busy week working away.

Today’s inspiration came from those pretty twinkly lights we drape around our Christmas trees each year.

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For this design I used China Glaze Starboard for the base and painted Deborah Lippmann’s Boom Boom Pow over the top! Only 8 sleeps till Christmas!

Chloe xx

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Inspirationail: The 12 Nails of Christmas – Day 5

16 Dec

The 12 Nails of Christmas

Today’s inspiration comes from the northern hemisphere Christmas, snowflakes! I’m lucky enough to have seen snow (living in Perth it’s not an easy feat) however would love to one day experience a white Christmas.

I stumbled upon an easy tutorial on refinery 29 that showed how to paint snow flakes on your nails, for this design I used OPI’s Yoga to Get This Blue for the base and Orly mini silver.

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Asha xx

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Inspirationail: The 12 Nails of Christmas – Day 4

15 Dec

The 12 Nails of Christmas

Today’s inspiration comes from something I must have on my Christmas tree each year, candy canes!! (Lucky I use traditional Christmas colours on my tree, it’s hard to find other colours of these yummy sticky treats!)

I always forget to get them as soon as I put up my tree but there are never any left by Christmas time, and I love that they bring some brightness to the tree.

Candy cane nails

This design was messier than I expected but the end result is worth the hard work and the mess because they are so bold and stand out really well. I used OPI’s Alpine Snow for the white, which I painted over the whole nail. After this I cut small strips of scotch tape and taped off the stripes which I painted in A Oui Bit of Red (OPI).

TIP: be sure to carefully pull the strips off quite quickly before the paint dries and it chips the whole thing.

Asha x

*These look delicious Asha, now I want some candy canes!*

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