Adventures with Acrylics!

HEEEEEY!!! 

Claire here!

When I went to visit Berit in California a few weeks ago, 

we bought each other manicures for Christmas.

I decided to be a little crazy and get a full set of acrylics.  

Here is what they looked like:

The color was C-c-c-courage by China Glaze

It lasted SUPER well and looked magical!

However, as you can see, my natural nails started growing and showing.

I just got a black Sally Hansen nail art pen and was dying to do a french tip.

These pens are GREAT.  They are easy to use, fast drying, and very precise.

(Just make sure you use a base and topcoat, or the paint won't adhere properly)

I used Essie's Steel-ing the Scene for the base color.

 Here's how my nails look now!

I would totally recommend trying out acrylic nails at some point,

they are so much fun and have stayed on despite taking a serious beating.

Stay lovely!

<3

Claire

New Year's Nails (On a Budget!)

As New Year's Eve draws closer, I thought I'd give myself a spiffy at-home manicure for the event. Personally, I find the holiday to be a little disappointing when it comes down to it, but at least I'll have pretty nails when I'm sitting on the couch contemplating which celebrities will divorce in the new year. 

I borrowed this colored french tip tutorial from Studs & Pearls, who does awesome DIY projects. So check it!

(What I used: Paper reinforcing stickers, Revlon in Minted, OPI Nail Envy topcoat, and Hard Candy in Trailer Trash.)

(Apply basecoat and bottom coat of polish. Allow it to dry WELL, if you apply the tip color too soon the stickers will ruin it.)

(Place stickers so that you've got a couple centimeters to paint. You can cut the stickers in half or use the whole thing if you're lazy, like me. Apply your tip color and remove the sticker once it's dried a little bit.)

(Sorry, Instagram made my hand look gnarly.)

Apply topcoat and ta-da! You'll look real classy when the ball drops, and hopefully thereafter... lawl. Be safe and have fun!

-B

P.S. The best colors for the tips of your nails are better if they're darker than your base polish or metallic. It'll show up better.