Challenge 17 - Flower Nails (GUEST POST!)

Hi guys!

Today I have a special gift for you. A friend of mine is freaking amazing at Nail art, so I wanted you all to be able to experience the awesomeness that is Nicoya. She doesn't have a blog yet, but hopefully soon! I am also ridiculously jealous of her polish collection!

Love you, Kay! x

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Hi! First off, I'd like to thank Kayleigh for asking me to guest post on her blog, I'm truly honored!

I 'know' Kayleigh through a Livestream Kitten Cam.  I knew she was awesome when I discovered not only is she a cat fiend, but a nail art fiend as well!

A little about myself - My name is Nicoya.  I was born and raised in Santa Cruz California, a beach town that I feel is one of the best places on Earth ;)  I just turned 25 this past June, and have been living with my boyfriend of 5 years in the mountains of Santa Cruz.  I discovered nail art around Halloween 2012 and have been hooked ever since.  To be honest, I had no clue nail art was such a thing, but I have been religiously painting my nails for the last five years.

I decided to share one of my favorite designs that was inspired by a top of mine.  Vintage/floral/roses/wallpaper etc...  

 

Products used - 

OPI Nail Envy base coat and Seche Vite top coat 

OPI Light My Sapphire (shimmery dark grey, bluish, purple) I felt was the best color I had to portray the color of my top. Two Coats.

OPI Alpine Snow I used for the Polka dots with my largest Bundle Monster dotting tool.  Since then, I've discovered a better way to place the polka dots, and if I ever do this design again, I'd use a smaller dotting tool.

Essie Fiesta (dark pink) I used for the roses painted with the regular brown brush shown in picture.  Essie Off the Shoulder (medium pink) was used to add more depth to each rose using same brown brush and not completely covering Fiesta.  And lastly, Essie Fiji (light pink) I used to make the petals using the striping brush shown.

With floral designs I always save the leaves for last.  Revlon Posh was used for the base color of the leaves painted with the brown brush.  Then to add a little extra to the leaves, I smudged Sinful Colors Pistache on each leaf.  

Well, that wasn't so hard *phew*  I am such a procrastinator, and have yet to make a nail blog, but this was pleasant!  Thanks again Kayleigh, and Kayleigh's followers! <3

Challenge 9 - Delicate Nails.

NOT. A. FAN!

Sorry this is so late. For one, I dislike this challenge a lot. Who's idea was this? Secondly, I got viciously attacked with the Flu Jab on Monday Morning! It was only meant to be an asthma review. Since then, I've suffered, so I haven't felt like doing my nails.

I finally picked a design that I wanted to do, & I'm quite proud of it. I saw a Youtube Tutorial & also, a friend of mine (Hi Nicoya) Did this design. Rather creepy really, as ten minutes after I found the tutorial, I saw hers on Facebook. Great minds, & all.

I will apologise now for the lack of the clean up. I was so exhausted & didn't know where my phone battery would last long enough to take them. They're also only taken with the living room light. No flash & no lightbox. Again, because I was exhausted.Bad Kay.

In other news, New kittens will be arriving on the kitten cam soon. Thankfully I've finally got round to sorting out the flat, so I can watch in the evening whilst doing my nails completely guilt free.