Animal Tracks

 My friend asked me to try some animal track nails, so I had to give it a try! I thought at first about doing random scattered prints on a solid creme base, but then got the idea to try replicating a cracked, dry lake bed effect. I think it looks unique!

 I started with a base of OPI Did you Ear About Van Gogh? as it is a great cool nude. Next, I used a porous sponge to add touches of Sephora by OPI I Only Shop Vintage, which is a shimmery sandy brown. I then very lightly added speckles of Sephora by OPI Dating the Drummer, a dark reddish-brown.

 After I was satisfied with my 'dirt' color, I painted cracks using Sephora by OPI Happy Earth Day to Me. Animal tracks were then added with a small brush first with Happy Earth Day, followed by lightening them a little with Sephora by OPI Metro Chic. I decided to a wide variety of prints, including canine, feline, bird, deer, and bear.

I then wanted to give the prints an embossed 'impression' look. I mixed Did you Ear About Van Gogh with a little NYC Pinstripe White to make a very light brown color. I used that and my needlepoint tool to add light highlights near the cracks and around each print. I then added a touch of Sinful Colors Black on Black to the tops of each print, to complete the embossed effect.

Colors Used:

OPI Did you Ear About Van Gogh?

Sephora by OPI I Only Shop Vintage

Sephora by OPI Dating the Drummer

Sephora by OPI Happy Earth Day to Me

Sephora by OPI Metro Chic

NYC Pinstripe White

Sinful Colors Black on Black

Festive Fourth!

 I wanted to try something a bit different this year for the Fourth, and these...sorta kinda came out how I envisioned? Photos certainly highlight their faults, but in person I love 'em!

 I started by laying down two layers of China Glaze Eyes Like Sapphires on all nails except my middle nail. For that I used China Glaze White on White. I added a curved white section to my index and ring nails with the same white, and then let all of that dry.

I sponged on a touch of Nicole by OPI I Sea You And Raise You to the base and tips of the striped flag sections to give it a bit more depth. The red stripes were done with a striping brush and ORLY Red Flare topped with Revlon Spidey Sense for a bit more sparkle.

 Next, I used the KISS Silver nail art striper to add a little silver detail to the outside of the stripes, followed by loosely painting in various sized stars along the tips of those three nails. Because they clearly weren't bold enough, I dragged out the nails studs and glitter. I used silver studs on the outside corner of both thumb and pinkie, and plastic diamond star studs on my index and ring nails. I also used star shaped glitter on my thumb and pinkie, as they were looking lonely.

Now I'm all set for fireworks!

 Colors Used:

China Glaze Eyes Like Sapphires

China Glaze White on White

 Nicole by OPI I Sea You And Raise You

ORLY Red Flare

Revlon Spidey Sense 

KISS Silver nail art

Vintage Flowers

 I decided to try my hand at a pretty vintage pattern that caught my eye, and it was a moderate success. I even managed to dust off some pinks and put them to use!

 I began with a base of Nicole by OPI Others Pale by Kim-parison. Next, I drew in the border using a thin brush and Sephora by OPI Neutral Beauty, a light honey brown. I followed that by doting along the lines with Sephora by OPI Happy Earth Day, a dark brown. I thought about making the pattern a standard size, but decided to just fit it to each nail separately. That way, it doesn't get randomly cut at strange points.

 I started the flowers by using Seche Delicate, a soft pink, to make four dots clustered together on each nail. I then added the darker petal details with a thin brush and OPI Dark Red, followed by a few touches of China Glaze White on White.

The leaves were made using Sinful Colors Garden Party with highlights of Color Club Twiggie. I was in a bit of a hurry so I rushed the leaves, but it really didn't turn out too badly! I do rather like how the colors look together.

Colors Used:

Nicole by OPI Others Pale by Kim-parison

Sephora by OPI Neutral Beauty

Sephora by OPI Happy Earth Day

Seche Delicate

OPI Dark Red

China Glaze White on White

Sinful Colors Garden Party

Color Club Twiggie