Nail File Friday’s: Reinforcement Labels For Nail Art + Gold Tape

It’s that time of the week, where I show you what I’ve been up to – or rather my nails! I love trying new things and this week, I picked up some reinforcement stickers to make some nail art. The sky’s the limit, so take risks, be bold and try new things! Now, if you try the labels and you don’t like it, a quick swipe with acetone is all it takes to do something else. If there’s one thing that makes my heart happy is pretty polished nails! So let’s do this….

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Nail Polish Buying Tip: Try going to a ‘mom and pop’ beauty supply store. I’ve noticed their prices on all things beauty or in this case nail shades – including Essie, are better priced than the other ‘well-known’ beauty supply stores like, Sally’s. I found one in my area that sells Essie shades at half the price! :: insert heart eyes here :: Google it, search for it sister, you won’t be disappointed!

As they say, “If you never try, You’ll never know.”

Essie Nail Polish Used: Find Me An Oasis (blue), Marshmallow (white) and Good As Gold (gold)
Nail Tools Used: Avery Reinforcement Labels

I used the Find Me An Oasis for all fingers, excluding the ring finger and thumb which I used the Good As Gold – have I told you how dreamy this color is, it’s the perfect gold! Now allow the nails to dry completely and apply one of the Avery reinforcement labels on each nail, let the inner circle of the label sit right above your cuticle – the bottom portion of your nail will be covered with the sticker, press down on the label and paint the top part of the nail in a different color, here I colored them all on top with Marshmallow – put as many coats to achieve the color you want, here I applied about 3 to get it to a very white look, and peel off the sticker while the polish is still wet.

Essie Nail Polish Used: Fiji (pink), Marshmallow (white) and Good As Gold (gold)
Nail Tools Used: Cuticle Nipper and Nail Striping Tape in Gold or you can try this Multi Colored Striping Tape – both great options!

Here the pinky is in the Good As Gold, the ring finger, pointer finger and the thumb in Figi and the middle finger in Marshmallow . Using the Gold Nail Striping Tape I placed it on the pointer finger slightly to the right in a vertical position, get as close to the cuticle as possible and pull the tape to the front of the nail, then cut with the Cuticle Nipper and on the ring finger I placed the tape horizontally – remember, you can recreate this look or try something new, there have been plenty of times when I start with something in mind and end up with something different. On the ring finger once the polish has dried completely, place the gold tape and press softly, apply the Marshmallow  shade – apply as many coats to achieve the desired darkness in color, this shade is a little light but with about 3 coats I got it to where I liked it, while still wet you can remove the tape and once dried you can re-apply the tape on the meeting line OR you can leave the tape IF there isn’t polish over it – I like placing the tape and then removing it, now once done cut the excess tape with the Cuticle Nipper and you’re all set!

Hope this has inspired your inner nail polish aficionado to recreate these looks or come up with one of your own. And if you’re doing or trying or have discovered some nail art you like, do share please!

It’s Friday, have a great one!

A-

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Nail File Friday’s: Pink, Gold + Polka Dots

This week I wanted to try a couple of new things like designs with the ‘cina’ nail art decals and the Avery reinforcement labels however, here you’ll see which made the cut and which did not.

My initial thought was to use the set shown on the bottom left, it includes the Dotting Tool – if you haven’t seen my post on nail tools to own for the perfect at-home manicure, you must! Also, included the nail art decals – which I’m currently eyeing this beautiful set of decals, Avery reinforcement labels – I know it seems a little crazy, BUT you can do so many designs with these labels, also the shades Marshmallow  and Good As Gold – which by the way, this shade is amazing!

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However, I decided on these nail looks for this week, beginning with Watermelon from Essie, it has I’d say along with the pink a slight reddish tone – such a beautiful shade. Next, the Watermelon shade along with the Essie Good As Gold, if you’re looking for the perfect gold metallic shade, this one here will not disappoint – the possibilities are endless! The final look to end the week has been the trio of shades, Watermelon, Good As Gold and of course my all time favorite Wicked – Deep Red – it’s the perfect deep dark red. To achieve the dots, grab a small piece of aluminum foil and pour a small amount of the shade you want your dots to be in, grab the Dotting Tool and dip in the nail polish, begin the dots in the middle of the nail and work your way/dots outward – in a sort of zigzag pattern, start your dots small and then if you want them larger you can grow it from there. Also, if you wish to create dots in multiple colors, simply dip your dotting tool in acetone and wipe it clean to avoid the colors transferring.

Don’t be afraid of bright colors and not-so bright colors, at the end of the day, it’s just nail polish! Try something new – you’ll surprise yourself, think outside of the box, color outside the lines, take risks and enjoy the process!

My final note, I know the ‘Essie’ brand can be a bit pricey, I used to buy others more affordable brands however, I do enjoy and appreciate the wide range of shades, the look and quality of the Essie brand. But here’s a Tip: if you’re like me and go to the salon for your pedicures, ask your nail technician if they sell the color they just applied on your toes – I like to match my hands and feet, often times they will have out of the box nail polish bottles, many times new and will be happy to sell it to you at a great price! Also, check stores like Target, they carry the Essie brand and many times I’ll find shades in the clearance section! :: insert emoji with heart shaped eyes here :: So, definitely check the places you shop, you’ll be surprised to find Essie nail polishes at discounted prices.

Happy Friday friends!

A-

Classic Essie Nail Polish Shades To Own

These Essie nail polish shades will help you get amazing results. And having these colors in your nail polish kit will get you fantastic nail art at home. These Essie colors are a must have and will be your go to shades every single time.

The Essie nail polish brand is available at beauty supply stores or on  Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial and whether you choose one or the other from each category, they’re all amazing!

Wear to Where: Find Looks for Every Occasion at NORDSTROM

I’ll begin with four words, BASE COAT and TOP COAT – or is that five?! This really does make all the difference. I use this base coat first, it works as a primer for the nail polish  Seche Clear Base Coat .5 oz. No Formaldehyde & No Toluene and to ensure that the polish goes on smoothly – not streaky. It will also prevent dark nail colors from staining your nails and overall discoloration. Next apply two coats of your favorite nail polish – three strokes per coat and lastly a top coat  Out The Door Fast Dry 0.5 Ounce (14ml) (2 Pack) for fast drying and shiny results.

Essie Nail Polish Shades

 Essie – Marshmallow 

White:  1) Marshmallow essie nail color,Marshmallow,sheers & whites,0.46 fl. oz., 2) Waltz essie Nail Color Polish, Waltz, 3) Blanc essie nail polish, blanc, 0.46 fl. oz. 4) Adore-A-Ball Adore-A-Ball $5 Coupon Code From Butore 5) This is not from Essie but a must have is Funny Bunny from OPI Nail lio Lacquer, Funny Bunny, 0.5 fl. oz.

  Essie – Ballet Slippers

Sheer Pink/Pink:  1) Baby’s Breath Baby’s Breath $5 Coupon Code From Butore 2) Limo-Scene essie nail color,Limo-Scene,sheers & whites,0.46 fl. oz., 3) Ballet Slippers essie nail polish, ballet slippers, 0.46 fl. oz., 4) Skinny Dip essie the wild nudes 2017 nail polish collection, skinny dip, 0.46 fl. oz.

 Essie – Secret Story 

Bright Pink:  1) Secret Story essie nail color,Secret Story, pinks,0.46 fl. oz. 2) Pancy essie Nail Color Polish, Pansy (3) Mod Square

 Essie – Limited Addiction

Classic Red:  1) Really Red essie nail color,Really Red,reds,0.46 fl. oz., 2) Limited Addiction essie Nail Color Polish, Limited Addiction

 Essie – Chinchilly 

Gray:  1) Chinchilly essie nail polish, chinchilly, 0.46 fl. oz.essie nail polish, chinchilly, 0.46 fl. oz., 2) Without A Stitch essie the wild nudes nail polish collection, without a stitch, 0.46 fl. oz.

 Essie – Wicked 

Dark/Black: 1) My go-to dark shade is Wicked essie nail polish, wicked, 0.46 fl. oz. 2) for a black shade Licorice essie nail polish, licorice, 0.46 fl. oz.

Non-Acetone vs Acetone Polish Remover

So, this is really up to you, how much time and how often you polish your nails. As for my personal preference, I prefer Acetone. But here’s the difference between the two.

The Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover, does not harm acrylic nails, is less effective but much gentler and takes longer to dissolve the polish, meaning you’ll spend more time rubbing the polish off. As for the Acetone Polish Remover, know that the damage that is done to our nails is not from the nail polish rather from the nail polish remover. Acetone  Super Nail Pure Acetone Polish Remover, 8 oz is the most effective way to remove nail polish, removes acrylic nails, gel nails and glitter nail polish, Acetone is harsh on your nails, dries out skin and nails.

Nail Repair Polish:  Also, every now and then, give your nails a break from nail polish for a week or so and apply  Perfect Formula Repair Coat, 0.6 Fl. oz. nightly. This restores and conditions your nails to ensure their health.

Nail Stickers/Art:  Nail stickers are great! My oldest daughter loves these! Thy’re so lovely and easy to apply. If you don’t have much time for your nails, try nail stickers INHDBOX 50×Nail Decals,Nail Art Water Transfer Sticker Decal-butterfly, flower, heart ect ( different patterns ) They have plenty of pre-made art designs to choose from.

Hope you get inspired or add any of these wonderful nail shades in your own nail kit.

-Ana

Photo: Mona Eendra