Born Pretty Store Studs Review

Sometimes two colors work so perfectly together that my heart skips a beat when I see the result. That is how I feel about the combination of Barielle Blue Cotton Candy stamped with Sally Hansen Color Quick Pen in Turquoise Chrome. I was actually worried it wouldn't turn out since they looked so similar, but man am I glad to be wrong in this case...

Barielle Sweet Treats for Spring 2013

Barielle Sweet Treats collection offers some beautiful creamy shades for Spring. With names like Green Apple Chew, Banana Drop, Lilac Jelly Bean, Blue Cotton Candy and Orange Parfait my mouth was watering before I even tried them. The collection is set to release on March 1st so here are some swatches to hopefully wet your appetite in the mean time...

Tutorial Tuesday: Dotticure

It has been way too long since I've put together a tutorial despite all my good intentions. My boyfriend has been constantly reminding me that I'm not acting on these intentions and need to post more tutorials. I'm still not sure who put him up to it, but instead of trying to figure that out I think there is no better time to make one than now...

After I posted this really quick dotted manicure last week I was quite surprised by the number of people that that thought it was time consuming. Sometimes the simplest things can seem deceivingly complicated and I wanted to show just how quick and easy it is to create this look...

Supplies:

• Two polishes of your choice. I used OPI My Vampire is Buff for the base and I Saw…U Saw…We Saw…Warsaw for the rest
• Dotting tool (or dotting tool alternative)

Steps:

Instructions:

1. Apply desired number of layers of base coat color (OPI My Vampire is Buff pictured here)
2. Using the nail polish brush, paint a thin line along the tip using the 2nd color (OPI I Saw…U Saw…We Saw…Warsaw used for this manicure)
3. Starting in the center of the nail slightly below the tip and working out towards the edge, add dots in a gentle curve
4. Add dots to complete the curve along the nail line
5. Starting at the center of the nail again, add dots as shown above
6. More dots to mirror what was done in step 5...
7. Using the dotting tool add overlapping dots to create a line
8. Still working with the dotting tool, add overlapping dots to create a small oval and two dots.
9. Finish with a top coat and enjoy! 

Note: Starting each time from the center and working out toward the edge helps to ensure that I stay as symmetrical as possible. Whenever I start at the edge it comes out much more lopsided....

Let me know what you think of this tutorial. 

Did I make it look easier or even harder?

I hope you give this a try! Send me a link/photo if you do! I'd love to see it...

As always, don't hesitate to ask questions if something is not clear. 

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

** Polishes were provided to me for review by the manufacturer or their PR. **

** For more information please see the disclosure policy **

Tips & Tricks: Dotting Tool Alternatives

While trying to put together a tutorial for my recent dotted manicure, I started to think about other things around the house that can be used as dotting tools if one was not available. Here is what I found so far...

• Push pins - these can create very fine dots, just be careful not to pin yourself in the process
• Toothpick or wooden barbecue skewer
• Plastic dental pick
• Mechanical pencil (0.5mm) - I actually use this a lot even when I have a dotting nearby
• Mechanical pencil (0.7mm)
• Paper clip
• Old pen - might not work afterwards, so don't try with a pen you love...
• Small flat head pin - stuck into the eraser end of a pencil to prevent painful pricks...
• Round head pin - also stuck into an eraser...
• Brush handle tip

What other things have you tried making dots with?

Hopefully this is useful for some of you!

Let me know if you are interested in seeing other random tips & tricks for nail art...

Thanks for looking!
Anutka :)

OPI Euro Centrale Fine China Nail Art...

Playing with the OPI Euro Centrale collection, I couldn't help by want to create a manicure with the ivory and blue shades. I automatically thought of all those beautiful blue and white china patterns for inspiration. My initial thought was to try stamping to replicate some of the more complex patterns and while I will likely do that at some point as well, today I decided on a dotticure of sorts inspired by a plate...

OPI Euro Centrale 2013 Collection - Part 2

Today I have the rest of the OPI Euro Centrale collection to share with you. If you missed the first half of the swatches, you can see them here. Despite some light colors in the mix, this half of the collection strikes me as the darker, moodier half. Of course that is just fine by me since I'll take a dark vampy cream any day of the week or season...

OPI Euro Centrale 2013 Collection - Part 1

Today I'm excited to show you the first half of the OPI Euro Centrale Spring/Summer collection. This half contains mostly creams and one gorgeous glitter named polka.com which can be layered over any of them. Did anyone else try to visit polka.com half expecting to see something from OPI? The website disappointed  but these gorgeous lacquers do not...