Minnie Mouse-Intermediate

minnie mouse

This by far is my favorite design that I've done so far. It is super cute and the best part is, you can change up the tip color to anything you want and it will still look good! This design required some extra tools you many not have. I will provide photos of them at the end of the post. Here's what you'll need:

*thin brush black polish
*red polish
*white polish
*optional: stylus (works great for making the dots) (can find this at Staples or Office Max)
*optional: rhinestones/rhinestone applicator  (can get these at any Sally Hanson store)
*note card (yes, an actual note card)
*cream manicure polish
*top coat
*PATIENCE


First apply the cream polish. Let dry

Next, paint a 'french tip' across your nail using the red polish, or if you want, you can chose to use a different color for this part. I like to paint upwards towards the end of my nail, instead of swiping the brush across the nail in one stroke. It allows for more control over the shape of the tip. Let dry.

Now,  dab a little of your white polish onto the note card. Using your stylus, apply some to the tip and make your polka dots on the red area on your nails. Let dry.

Carefully with the black polish, make a smooth line across the end of the red tips. this is a really nice way to hide any proof that your 'french tips' were uneven! Let dry.

Now comes the difficult part; adding the bows. I'm not going to lie, this is not an easy task, especially when trying to do it with your weaker hand. Be very patient with this part!! Using your black polish, make a small triangle on the black line. Make sure your triangle has one of its points directly on the black line. If you dont know what i mean, check out my pinkie, you can see the triangle better on that finger. Repeat this process with another triangle being the mirror-image of the first. Let dry.

**If you would like to add rhinestones, do this BEFORE your nail is completely dry!

 Finally, put the top coat on and your nails are now adorable :P 

stylus

rhinestones and applicator

Cheetah/Kissy Lips-Intermediate

Cheetah Kisses

These were really fun to make and i still cant decide if they were Cheetah spots or kissing lips. Either way, they are definitely one of my favorites. Here's what you'll need:

*Cream or pink manicure polish
*Thin brush black polish
*Beige polish
*top coat polish
*optional: silver sparkle polish


First paint a line across the top of your nail with the beige polish. This will be your "french tip" so to speak. Let mostly dry.

Paint your cream/pink polish over the entire nail. make sure you always start from the cuticle and brush upwards towards the end of your nail. That way, the cream blends the beige in the right direction and you don't end up with smearing on the cream part. Let dry.

Now, carefully using your black thin brush, paint tiny curves opposite each other. Remember, adding little imperfections is what makes them look more like spots/lips, than just two semi circles.Let dry.

If you're adding sparkles, this would be the point to do that! i added a few on my middle and ring finger.

Finally, put that top coat on and you're DONE!

fierce, no?

Zebra Stripes -Beginner

Zebra Stripe/Dots

Animal Prints! Although these tend to be more difficult, they are really fun to paint and can end up really wacky if you want. This design above, is my own twist on zebra stripes. Of course you can do the generic version of zebra stripes more or less the same way I have done mine. Here's what you'll need:

*cream or pink manicure polish
*thin brush black polish
*white polish
*top coat polish

 First, put down a coat of your cream/pink polish.

For the stripes, simply draw lines with your black polish. Make sure to make your movements brisk so that the lines are tapered and not even. I usually do about 5 lines. Let dry.

Carefully dab small dots around the edges of the lines with the white polish. Let dry.

Add your top coat.
DONE!


If you're looking to just do a zebra stripe look, keep reading.

Zebra Stripes

These nails are quite long...i know... i went through a phase, alright? haha

Okay so the answer to how to do these is pretty simple also. Instead of branching your stripes out from a corner of your nail, you need to make them alternating across the entire body of the nail.
I like to do a bit of a squiggle, along with the tapering, to make them look less uniform.

just go wild!

pun intended :P

Frankenstein/spiderwebs-Intermediate

Frankenstein/spiderwebs

Halloween is just around the corner! This is my favorite holiday and what better way to celebrate than with cool/creepy nails! This design is really easy to do. Here's what you'll need:

* thin brush black  polish
*green polish
*white polish
*thin brush white polish
*cream or pink manicure polish
*top coat polish

First you will need to apply the cream/pink manicure polish. Let dry.

Frankensteins:
Paint a green square on nail. Let dry.
Draw him some hair, eyes, bolts, and scar with the thin brush black polish
DONE!

Spiderwebs:
These are a bit more tricky and will really require stability of your hand.
From the corner of your nail, paint one line of waves.
Above that paint a second, larger "wave"
Paint lines connecting the points in each wave together. Let dry.
Add a black spider if ya' want!
DONE!

Add top coat and you are all set to go scare some trick-or-treaters!