For the gradient I used the technique of layering all the colors on a cosmetic sponge and then sponging them on all at once. I'm so in love with this technique that now I look for any excuse to do a gradient. I stamped using Wet 'n Wild Black Creme and Bundle Monster plate BM-223. I then matted the whole thing using Essie Matte About You. The matte topcoat smudged the stamped pattern a bit, so in hindsight I probably should have used a regular top coat first and then the matte.The good news is that the smudges are only visible up close :)
A few shots of what the gradient looked like before I stamped and matted it. For the base I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls, a soft white with a hint of gray. Swatches of that polish are coming soon. For the rest of the colors I used nearly every polish from the Color Club POPtastic collection. Scroll down to see the full list...
Colors used (left to right): Wet 'n Wild Caught Red Handed, Color Club Wham! Pow!, Almost Famous, Twiggie, Chelsea Girl and Pucci Licious. I love this collection when I need primary colors for a manicure. The only thing it is missing in my opinion is a good red hence why I had to use a Wet 'n Wild Polish. The set contains two pinks instead which I didn't use for this manicure. You can see the cosmetic sponge that I used and my "palette" to dab on. The purple didn't actually make it onto my nails since they were too short. Guess there is always next time :D
I would love to know what you think of this! What kind of unnatural animal would you have created?
Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)
I just did my first gradient today using eyeshadow applicators. Love your one! I've not cleaned my applicator yet. Do you reuse your sponge? Does it clean up easily?
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome gradient <3
ReplyDeleteI loooooove this gradient!!! This is fantastic! :D
ReplyDeletethis is so funky and fun and I LOVE how you you went with a matte top coat.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!! And that gradient is flawless!
ReplyDeletevery pretty gradient you have here!! did you soak your sponge first? or directly put some polishes on them?
ReplyDeleteLooks great!
ReplyDeleteWhat color did you use for base coat?
This is fantastic, I love it!
ReplyDeleteVery cool! Love the gradient!
ReplyDeleteOooh la la! I love it! Your gradient looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely, LOVELY gradient!!! I just love stamping over gradients too!!
ReplyDeleteSoooooooooo pretty! :D
ReplyDeleteThat's really pretty! I love your gradient :)
ReplyDeleteI usually don't like matte but for some reason, I love this.
ReplyDeleteWell done! Very pretty nailart! I love gradients and I love animal prints, as long as they aren't tacky... Love your rainbow-gradient! Did you wet your sponge before you put the polishes on? I'd love to know before I'll try myself...
ReplyDeleteThank you so much everyone! You are just so sweet with your comments! I'm glad you like the gradient :)
ReplyDeleteTo answer some questions...
- I don't reuse my sponges simply because I don't use any expensive ones that are worth trying to clean and save. I use either a faux seafoam sponge and cut off small pieces when I'm sponging each color individually or a cheap cosmetic wedge when doing a multicolor smooth gradient. Neither one is expensive or worth saving/cleaning.
- I didn't wet the sponge before applying polishes for the gradient. I just apply stripes of colors to the sponge, dab it onto my "palette" and then start on my nails. It works well enough without wetting for me so I not tried it the other way. I will try one of these days just to compare...
- For the base I used I used OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls. It is nearly white with just a hint of gray.
I hope this answers some questions, but don't hesitate to ask if something is still not clear :)
This looks so pretty, I love your rainbow gradient! And making it matte turned out great! :D
ReplyDeleteI really need to do a gradient with this technique. I AM amazed at how they all turn out so lovely.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous stamping and sponging!!
ReplyDeleteHi Anutka ,
ReplyDeleteI have nominated you for the versatile blogger award! To accept the nomination, please visit my blog for details : http://macabremanicures.blogspot.com/2012/05/versatile-blogger-award.html.
Emily
These are tres cool! I love them so much!
ReplyDeleteThe color gradient is lovely and with the animal print combo looks very sexy!
ReplyDeleteI really like this! And i really like doing the gradient. Super easy, super cool. The zebra stripes really makes the whole mani too. :)
ReplyDeleteyour gradient is simply fantastic. simply fantastic!
ReplyDeletethis is just pure awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you like it! Thank you for all your comments and feedback. I really appreciate it :)
ReplyDeleteThis is an awesome rainbow gradient! I can't believe you were able to fit all those colors on to your nail :p
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I was pretty surprised too :)
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!
ReplyDeletethat is all I have to say about this
Thank you sweetie! You make me blush :)
ReplyDelete