Fall make-up look and nail look ft. products by Born Pretty Store

After receiving many compliments on my Halloween look, I got inspired and decided to make another nail-face look.

This time with a fall theme.

Now, up front, I almost never wear make-up in my daily life.

Trying to get the kids ready for school is my No.1 priority, which leaves me with almost no time to even think about make-up.

On a good day I apply some foundation and a mascara :D

However, I do love make-up and my laptop is full with make-up inspirations/tutorials etc.

My make-up stash isn't bad either, if I may say so ;-)

I've received some goodies from Born Pretty Store for reviewing and after creating the nail look, I also used these products for my face look.

So, let's get started :D

I really wanted to show a new nail polish brand (Swedish) that I've discovered around here; IsaDora.

Here are some swatches of 791 Autumn leaves.

Picture taken in light box without flash

Picture taken in light box with flash

Autumn leaves is actually a wine color with goldish shimmer (micro glitter),

Almost opaque with 1 coat, which shows more of the purple color.

With 2 coats it leans to a brown. Pictures show 2 thin coats.

The flash picture suggests that there might be some multi colored and/or holo micro glitters too.

And believe me, this is a true beauty as soon as it hits light/sun.

Not disappointed at all (except for the price maybe €11,50/$14,39).

We still had some sunny days here in Holland and I felt this was the last chance to try one of my holo topcoats. 

I applied 1 coat of 12-12-2012 by Big City Nails (which is a Dutch Indie Brand).

Then I used one of the products that I've received from Born Pretty Store; 

Cute fall leaves water decals:

I'm not going through the whole process of how to apply water decals (if you are new to them, you can have a look at previous posts by me about water decals).

They were easy to use.

One note: They look best on a lighter background.

Above shows 1 coat of IsaDora 791 Autumn leaves, topped with 1 coat of Big City Nails 12-12-2012 (holo topcoat) and water decals by Born Pretty Store

The holo topcoat looks scattered on the picture but I actually saw a pretty linear holo in real life.

As I felt the darker background really didn't do the water decal justice, I also made a nail look with a lighter background.

Base color used: Catrice Limited Edition Crème Fresh C01 The Peach Boys.

Which look do you prefer?

On the accent nail you can see the other product that I've received from Born Pretty Store:

A 3D golden leaf decoration 

As you can see the leaf also has a little hole. 

With a small jump ring it could work perfect as a nail piercing jewel or even as a charm on a bracelet/necklace.

Now, for the face look you'll all be waiting for (of course ;-P)

Picture shows my hand with the first nail art in this post.

I've used the water decals on my cheek and some gold foil on the other one.

Around my hair line I've applied some decor fall leaves with hair wax.

I've used the 3D golden leave as a headlace.

Hope you like the look!

P.S. You can use my 10% off code when ordering by Born Pretty Store:

HUB10

Lace nails

It's been such a long time since my last entry for the weekly challenge over at Nail Polish Queens (NPQ) community.

Which is actually sad because I really like those weekly challenges and the community!

This week the challenge is: Lace

Although I consider myself more of a free hand painter, lace is a thing that looks just weird when I'm doing it free hand.

And, let's be honest, the lace patterns on stamps and decals are out of this world!

Today I bring you another nail art with the use of water decals.

And again, these came from Born Pretty Store.

Let's have a look at them :D

Artmaze S008 lace water decals

As you can see there are black and white lace patterns and I immediately had to think about a wedding themed nail art.

As a base for my nail art I've used this gorgeous polish by Dance Legend.

Anna Gorelova by Dance Legend 03 Gold Fish

Gold Fish is a sheer platinum gold filled with larger scattered holo particles that look like white gold particles without direct lighting,

A polish really suited for wedding nails.

However, when I started applying this polish it was kind of sheer. It did build up but it took me about 5 coats to have it as I please.

Application was really easy and I was able to apply the other coats very soon after the previous.

But...I smudged a nail right after finishing application and had to start all over again.

I decided to make it more easy for myself by using a 1 coater platinum gold as base for the Gold Fish...leading it to be used more as a topcoat.

The color underneath Gold Fish is:

Maybelline Forever Strong Pro 820 Winner takes it all!

I cut the water decals so I could make a V-shape (Chevron).

I'm really pleased with the elegance.

What do you think?

Water decals Artistic Vortex Pattern Born Pretty Store

As I mentioned in my previous blogpost I've won a prize over at Born Pretty Store.

The prize: 3 water decal sets of my choice.

Hard choice for me as I'm not really a fan of water decals.

Why?

Simply because I love to create a beautiful free hand design.

Does this mean you never use water decals?

NO. 

Water decals are easy to apply and the most artistic/appealing/cute/pretty nail designs are available.

And with that being said, it's no surprise that when it comes to water decals, I'm always looking for those designs I wouldn't be able to paint myself and/or would take me ages to do so.

Today I bring you Artistic Vortex Pattern water decals:

As a base color I used Maybelline Color Show Bleached Neons 244 Chic Chartreuse:

And this is the finished look using the water decals:

Want to order these water decals or other products from Born Pretty Store.

Use my 10% off code: HUB10

Nail art "Kiss Gold Hot Stamped Water Decals"

My dear friend +bubica vucko loves to surprise me with lovely nail mails.

She is a great and loving person and if you don't already follow her...make sure you do!

 

This time she surprised me with water decals by Kiss.

She bought these like ages ago and never came to use them.

She has a simular set and I believe she also mailed some to +fife fantasi Nails 

Looking forward to seeing their nails ;-D

 

Now, let's have a look at the water decals shall we?

 

 

I love the designs!

The roses, champagne and hearts will be saved for a pretty wedding nail art.

I decided to go for a masquerade nail art.

 

+bubica vucko already told me not to cut my nails short for a while and I didn't know what she meant but now I do :D

The designs are quite wide and long.

Still too big for my nails!

However this wasn't really a problem as I just cut them a bit smaller where I could.

 

I did look at the instructions on the back but decided to follow my usual method for applying water decals.

 

My method:

After the basecoat I applied a white polish and added a top coat to speed up drying time.

Meanwhile I cut the water decals to the right size and placed them in a bowl of water.

The instructions on the back say wait 30 seconds till the water penetrates the back of the design and then slide the design off.

It didn't work after 30 seconds.

I ruined the first water decal by trying to get it slide off :(

Luckily I had to help one of the children which took about 5 minutes and guess what?

Now I could easily slide the design off.

The placement:

I use my whole fingertop to cover most of the water decal and place it where I want it to be.

You have to be gentle because water decals can easily rip.

I never place them on a wet base because then you don't get the chance to move them around; placing is in that case sticking and it won't go anywhere anymore.

The glossy topcoat over the white makes the water decals still movable.

If they are at the right spot they can still be moved so don't touch them for a while (give it a few minutes).

I did have some trouble flatten these babies out because my nails are quite curved and the water decals are flat.

It's not perfect but I was satisfied.

 

Some water decals really don't act well when the get covered with a topcoat.

These decals have foil like colors so I was scared to put a topcoat on.

I took before pictures just in case.

The topcoat (and make sure your barely touch the nail with the brush) did ruin the water decals for a little bit.

 

Still I don't really mind these little imperfections and chose to post the picture with topcoat

 

 

This mani lasted very long and I've got a lot of compliments on the designs :D

 

Thank you dear +bubica vucko 

Love you!

 

Follow +bubica vucko blog here

 

 

 

Day 279) Nail art Halloween with water decals

Finally feeling a bit better.

Tomorrow I'll show the prices for the "If I were a rich girl" give-away.

 

Today we went to the Zoo with the kids.

Watching them, walking with them, teaching them and trying to please them made me very tired.

Therefore a nail art with water decals...easy and fast :D

 

Water decals used:

Bluesea Nail sticker K097 (Halloween)

Day 130) Nail art water decals white swirls

Like I said before: When I buy stencils or water decals I'm always looking for the designs that are hard to do by hand or at least not as perfect as when you do it yourself.
I think it's a waste of money when you can do it yourself.
Although I prefer to handpaint my nail arts, I do think stencils and water decals are an invention for those less   artistic.
That's why my blog also contains this kind of nail art.

Today's waterdecals are for the complete nails. Of course you can always cut them in other shapes if you like.
The pattern consists of white swirls and transparency, which means there's a see-through for your nail polish.

Arts Queen 

Professional Nail

Nail Tattoo

No BW009

White swirls

Step 1:

Paint your nails in the desired colour. I do recommend to use a dark colour because of the white swirls and the contrast it will make. Let it dry completely before you go further.

I've chosen to do an ombre to spice it up a little (and Iwanted to use my new polish ;-D )

Step 2:

Cut the water decals in the right size. Let it be well-cut at the curve of your cuticles and the width. The length should be longer than your nails; this is a further step.

Step 3: 

Remove the plastic film. This is a critical step and most of the instructions don't include this information! If you don't your water decals get stuck on the film and will be useless.

On the left: paper with water decals

On the right: plastic film

Step 4:

Put the water decals in some water. In a few seconds you can slide the water decals from the paper or in some cases this already happened on it's own.

Step 5:

Put the water decals on the nail surface (I use my index finger of the other hand). Gently push and smooth it. As long as the water decals are wet they are easy moveable. Sometimes too easy ;P When they are in the right place, don't touch them anymore but let them dry!

Step 6:

When you follow the instructions it will say you'll will have to remove the surplus part and then topcoat it.

I do it the other way because I don't want to risk that water decals move.

First use a topcoat and wait for it to dry. Then remove the surplus part (first cut with clippers or scissors, then buffer it). For the best result and longer lasting nails I recommend that you do another coat of topcoat after buffering. 

DONE!

They look great I think!

Only downside is that they are very fragile. The water decals easy crack when you're smoothing them on the nail surface. This doesn't show that well on the nails so it's an acceptable downside but it did frighten me.

What's your opinion on water decals in general? Are you a lover or a hater?