Sunday, April 28, 2013

Miscellaneous Nail Stamping and Swatches

Hi all!

This week has been a rough one, so I am simply going to share some random manicures I've done in the past for your enjoyment.

1. Nails Inc Giraffe Print

Nails Inc Hampstead Gardens stamped with Sally Hansen Instadri Coco-a-go-go


Manicure:
I had this image in my head for weeks before I finally got around to stamping it.  Loved this manicure.

2.  Leaves

Zoya Shawn

Stamped with Sally Hansen Jade Jump

Added flowers with Konad Special Polish White


Manicure:
This was a manicure I changed my mind on before I even added top coat, so there are no finished pics.  These were Bundle Monster images as well.

3.  Battleship Gray

I love this color but ended up not liking the image I stamped on it so I didn't even take a picture of the stamping.

  
Nails Inc The Thames


Manicure:
I love the coolness of this color.

Wishing you amazing manicures,

Bevy of Nails

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Blue Camo Nail Stamping

Hi all!

I've tried doing camouflage nails before, but it wasn't exactly the result I wanted.  This time I tried a new color and using stamps for all of the "layers".  My original attempt at this was based off of soguesswhat11's camouflage tutorial.  Here.  This still uses her basic idea for creating the camo, but I used all stamps with no free-hand nail art. (It's just not my forte.)

 This was super-easy, but pretty involved - I've included a video at the end.  In real life, this mani looks 3-D with all of the stamping involved.  Love it!

 Here's how it came out:



Manicure:
1 coat Julep Oxygen Nail Treatment
2 coats Zoya Kristin
Stamped using Sally Hansen Insta-dri Co-bolt Blue, Brisk Blue, and Blue Me Away BM-222 and Mash 38
1 coat Sally Hansen Hard as Wraps Hard as Nails
1 coat Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat

 I started with Zoya Kristin.



Verdict?
This was a great formula to work with.   2 coats and this dusky sky blue was opaque.  This color is a little light for my usual taste, but I think it's a great base for stamping.

Please see the video for step-by-step instructions...





Wishing you amazing manicures,

Bevy of Nails

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Sunrays Nail Stamping

Hi all!

This week I was inspired by a fellow blogger (bykelly.com.br) when she posted her manicure on the Bundle Monster Facebook page this week.  So much so I had to say that I was going to try it this week even though I didn't have the color she used (Jade Holographic, an orange shade).   I didn't understand the blog post, but her pictures spoke a thousand beautiful words.

 Here's how mine turned out with a little imagination:


Here's the one bykelly posted:



I'd planned a different manicure for this week, but when I saw these "Sunrays" I started thinking about how I could duplicate it on my nails since I don't own any orange holos. 

I love this mani, so heads up, there are quite a few pics.  This is one in the sunlight (Sunrays in the Sunlight!)



Manicure:
1 coat Perfect Formula Gel Coat
2 coats Dazzle Dry Orange Sorbet
1 coat Hits no Olimpo Hefesto
1 coat Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Hard as Wraps
1 coat Julep Freedom Polymer Top Coat

Dazzle Dry Orange Sorbet  (picture from dazzledry.vbcosmetics.com)
This formula was pretty good..  It took 2 coats to get it opaque, but the color payoff is really bright.  It really is highlighter orange, but after adding the Hefesto holographic topcoat it is more a bright coral now.  Love it...I'm sure it'll make an appearance during summer with citrus stamping and Halloween. Their sale ends tomorrow (details on my Carbon Fiber Nail Stamping post).

Hits No Olimpo Hefesto
I bought this at llarowe.com, but you can also get it at ninjapolish.com.  I think comparing prices and shipping costs is only right to get the most bang for your buck.  First and foremost, this is a Brazilian brand and is not 3-free. I love it as a holographic topcoat, but be warned: it will alter the color of the nail polish you apply it over.  Also, if you use too many coats it will look more silvery than anything you have below it.  I found one coat, with a normal amount on the brush was perfect.  Here's a closeup of one coat.

Love! Love! Love!

Now, just because I like how it turned out, a few more pics.





Wishing you amazing manicures,


Bevy of Nails.