Paisley Print DIY Decals

Hello Lovelies!  I hope you all had a safe and happy holiday weekend (or a nice weekend for those of you who don't celebrate Thanksgiving)!  I finally got around to finishing the final prompt of the Weekly Nail Art Challenge (#WNAC) from Instagram.  The last prompt was Paisley print, which I have always wanted to try but wasn't sure I could make it look good.  I think I did pretty well, what do you think?

Materials I used:
Basecoat - SuperChic Lacquer 'Bring it On!'
Base polish - Milani 'Gold Glitz' (Dollar Store find)
Calligraphy pen and black ink
UberChic Beauty Uber Mat
Topcoat - SuperChic Lacquer 'Marvel'

I started off with two coats of my sparkly gold glitter polish.  I wanted this design to be blingy yet mature and I thought this made the perfect base.

After practicing with both polish and acryclic paints and a small brush to try and create a paisley design, I got frustrated and switched to my calligraphy pen.  Lately, this has been my go-to drawing tool because the ink is much like acrylic paint and I have much better control.  Using my Uber Mat,  I started with a generous layer of topcoat, which I let dry completely.  I drew a couple of paisleys for each finger and filled in the voids with swirls and little things that look almost like commas.

For those of you who would like to see a brief video of me drawing this pattern, checkout my Instagram account.

Once, I was satisfied with my decals.  I removed them from the mat using a pair of tweezers.  I applied a layer of topcoat to my nail and placed the decal carefully on my nail.  If you've made your decal too thin it will most likely tear and give you problems during placement, that is why I recommend using a generous layer or two thin layers of topcoat for your decal base.  After carefully pressing the decal down, trim some of the excess decal away with cuticle scissors or nail clippers.  Dissolve the remaining decal away using gentle acetone and a brush,  don't forget to do this around the free end of your nail as well.

I topped this all off with a final layer of quick drying glossy topcoat.  This is important to ensure that the decal is sealed down onto the nail, and it helps smooth out wrinkles that my occur during the application process.

For those of you who haven't tried calligraphy nail art, I highly recommend it.  For those of you who have tried it and found its not your thing, but you also don't like using a paint brush, I recommend trying a gel pen to create this and similar nail art designs.  I personally haven't tried gel pens yet but it is on my nail art bucket list.  I have heard from many other nail artist that gel pens are really easy to work with.  I'm curious, have any of you tried calligraphy or gel pens in your nail art yet?  What did you think?

When I first started creating this nail art design, I didn't think I would be pleased with the final results.  However, I love the way they turned out and I hope you do too.  Thank you for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

Stamping and Decal Embellishments

Hello Lovelies!  I don't often use decals, because I have never really found ones that I was in love with or they weren't really worth the expense.  However, I recently made a little nail art haul when a local beauty supply store was going out of business.  In addition to buying various polishes that I found attractive, I also purchased some decals, appliques, and charms because they were half priced.  For today's nail art I decided to try out some of the decals...

I used Zoya 'Daisy' as my base color.  I also purchased this during my store closing haul.  I don't own many yellows and I love Zoya so I had to purchase it.  This yellow is very pretty and has a bit of a shimmer to it.  This is two coats though it was mostly opaque with one coat.

I decided to add a bit of stamping on my ring and mid fingers just to make this nail art a little more interesting, plus its good practice.  I used Pueen image plate 07 and silver stamping polish from Mundo de Unas to stamp this image...

I then applied flower stickers to all my fingers, the brand I used is Glossyblossom.  As I said previously I purchased these locally, but there are numerous ways to buy similar stickers both in stores and online.  I know that bornprettystore.com offers a significant variety at very good prices, but I'm sure there are many other suppliers out there as well.  However, if you purchase from bornprettystore.com used code: CREATEX31 for 10% off your next purchase.

When using decals be sure to read the package directions, because some are water decals and some are simple peal and stick decals.  These are the later, so all I had to do is peal them from the backing and stick them where I wanted them.  I recommend that whenever you are using any kind of decal, that you let the base polish dry enough so that you can touch it without marking or smearing it.  I waited roughly 20-30 minutes before applying my decals.

If necessary perform a bit of clean up with acetone and a brush.  I also recommend applying a topcoat not only to give it extra shine but to help seal the decals in place.  This way they are less likely to peal up, there is nothing more annoying than a decal that is hanging off the nail, snagging on everything.

Though I don't often use decals, they are a great way to create a quick and interesting manicure.  Having some decals in your arsenal of nail supplies is great, that way if you don't have the time to create a masterpiece you at least have some pretty decals to dress up a basic mani.  Also it doesn't take much skill to use decals, so if you are intimidated about creating fancy artwork, these are a great way, to fake it until you make it.  I see nothing wrong with using the tools at your disposal and decals are just another tool in my book.

Decals are a great way to create an ornate mani or just add a little accent, either way you use them is up to you.  With so many different styles on the market the possibilities are endless.  I hope you enjoyed this easy stamped and decaled nail art design.  Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,



Painted Star Stud Manicure

This #whatruwearingwed manicure I wanted to do something somewhat simple and use some water decals that I have had for a bit from bornprettystore.com. I also wanted to try painting some studs that I have. I have seen this done on various YouTube and Instagram videos.

I started this design with two coats of Revlon 'Metallic' topped with a coat of Seche Vite.  This polish looks like molten silver to me.

On my ring finger I applied these cute star and moon water decals. They are item #8116 in pattern D196 black.  These are curved as if for french tips but because my nails are not long enough I placed
them up near my cuticle and trimmed the access.

On the rest of my fingers I placed silver nail art studs also from bornprettystore.com, item #7277, that I painted with black polish.

I really like the idea of painting studs.  I can't tell you how often I wanted to add studs to a design but didn't want to add just plain ol' silver or gold but didn't have a color that would work well.  The option to paint studs leaves endless possibilities because you can use almost any polish in your arsenal accent with.

If you make a purchase with bornprettystore.com use coupon code: CREATEX31 for 10% of your purchase.  You can use this code anytime, it never expires so right it down and use it every time.

I hope you enjoyed this #whatruwearingwed manicure and I hope you'll share what your wearing on your fingers today too.  Head over to my Facebook and post your pictures with a description there, or if you prefer Instagram hashtag #whatruwearingwed and tag me, @polish_plebe so that I can find it easily.  Please like/follow me while your there or you can follow me by clicking the 'Join this Site' icon on the top right hand side of the screen or through Google+, Bloglovin, and/or Pinterest.  Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

Water Marble Decals

Water marble nail art designs are one of the most beautiful and most frustrating forms of nail art design there is. Even those with a great deal of experience can have trouble with perfecting this technique. To say the least there is a lot of experimenting that takes place when creating a water marble design. Determining what water temperature works best, what polishes spread right, and what design looks best all takes a great deal of time and patience. Then there is the actual application or finger dipping to pick up that perfect design.

I can't tell you how many times I have attempted a water marble design and got everything right, made the perfect pattern but when I tried to pick it up…FAIL! It is soooooo aggravating. Either I've missed the mark and didn't pick up the design I was aiming for or inadvertently shook when I hit the surface (I drink a lot of coffee and my nerves aren't great, it’s a wonder any of my nail art designs come out nice). Then of course there are those pesky bubbles from dipping to fast.

Well, after doing my DIY Nail Art Decals last week a thought occurred to me, why couldn't I make a water marble decal. Yes, I've seen tutorials on people making swirled pattern decals on plastic wrap but I wanted to make a true water marble design decal. So, after surfing You Tube I found a video by Sonal Sagaraya on making water marble decals. It seemed so incredibly easy that I had to give it a try.

Materials
Water
Cup/bowl
Base and top coat
Polishes of your choice
Toothpick (orange stick or dotting tool also works)
Wax or parchment paper (recommended but not required)

Make your water marble design like you normally would. Drop polishes into room temperature water, and use a toothpick to create your pattern.  I used three polishes from China Glaze's All Aboard collection, 'Well Trained', 'Conduct Yourself', and 'Stop That Train' (stay tuned, swatches and reviews of All Aboard are coming soon).

But instead of dipping your finger in the desired design. Leave the water marble design and allow it to dry. This will take longer than normal because it is in water.  When the design has dried enough to pick it up, carefully remove the design from the water. Use a toothpick or dotting tool and make sure that it is not attached to the side of your cup/bowl. Removing the decal is probably the most difficult part of this process, if you're not careful it will fold and wrinkle. I found that the longer it sat in the water to dry the easier it was to pick up and didn't fold or wrinkle as much.  Lay the water marble design flat on a piece of wax or parchment paper. This is recommend because it allows the decal to dry out more without sticking to the paper.  If you use a paper towel it may stick to it.

After giving the decal some more time to dry. Apply it just like you would any DIY polish decal. Start with applying a base coat, and while it is still wet place the decal on your nail.  I recommend using a polish that you used in your water marble design as your base, this way if you accidentally tear the decal you have a color underneath that will mask the tear.  Adjust the decal until it is in the desired location. Then use a cuticle pusher or orange stick to smooth the design. Then use a cuticle pusher and apply pressure around the cuticle to cut away the excess decal.  Then buff the tip to get rid of any overhang. Apply a top coat to seal it all in place and perform a little clean up with acetone and a brush.

I think this decal method is so much easier and cleaner. Not to mention it takes all the guess work out of placement. You don't have to mess around with taping or covering your fingers. Though it takes sometime to wait for the decals to dry I think it is worth the wait. So, a super big thanks to Sonal Sagaraya for posting the video, I recommend you all check it out. I hope this little trick will help you all with your water marbling endeavors. Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

DIY Nail Art Decals

For many nail artist particularly newbies and those that don't have time to practice it is especially difficult to paint with your non-dominant hand. How many times have you painted your nails and loved the design but can't execute it well enough to show off both of your hands. Well, here is a trick you can use to create interesting and consistent beautiful nail art designs.

Materials
A flat rigid surface
Base and top coat
Polishes or acrylic paint

In order to create a decal you need a flat impermeable surface that is smooth. Some people like to use a paint palette, or a piece of plastic wrap stretched out on a counter. I like to use plastic sleeve meant for protect documents. You can tell I use this a lot.

Start by painting a square or rectangle of top coat on your surface.

For your next layer start your artwork. I decided to do a random floral pattern to complete this weeks Blogger Bragger challenge. I used black acrylic paint and a small brush to draw my flowers.

I then used various polishes to fill in the flowers.

After you are satisfied with your design cover with a coat of your background color. I recommend two or three coats , you want it to be opaque as well as thick enough so that it peels from your surface without tearing.

I really like using this document protector because I can easily flip it over and see how my design is going to look.

Give your decal ample time to dry and then peel them from the surface. If the decal stretches or is to sticky let dry a little longer. I started this project late in the evening so I left it over night to dry. Very carefully peel your decal from your surface, slower is better for this step.

Applying the decal is pretty simple. Start by applying base coat to your nail, while it is wet place your decal. As long as your base is wet you can slide the decal around until it is where you want it.

Use your finger to apply pressure to get it to stay in place.

Then with an orange stick or cuticle pusher rub out any wrinkles.

Remove the excess decal by applying pressure with a finger nail or cuticle pusher to cut the extra decal. This may create a jagged line but no worries you can easily clean the line with acetone.

To finish up use a buffer or file to remove the excess from the tip. Use acetone and a brush to clean around your cuticle and apply of top coat to help smooth out any imperfections and help keep the decal in place.

And that is how you can create your very own nail art decals. I completed this look by painting my other nails with one of my new favorite polishes China Glazes 'Release' from "The Giver" collection and studs from bornprettystore.com.  If you make a purchase from bornprettystore.com use coupon code CREATEX31 for 10% off your purchase.  I hope you'll try this technique to create your own awesome designs. Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,