Grey, Orange, and Green Smooshy Nail Sunday

Hello Lovelies!  It's Sunday, and you know what that means...Smooshy Nail Sunday!  I love this collaboration, because I love smooshy nails.  No two smooshy nails are alike, so its great to see what others come up with based on a simple set of three (sometimes more) colors.

This week's color scheme was Grey, Orange, and Green.  I decided to use Cinema Swatch Lacquers 'Smoke and Fire,' this was a limited edition Walking Dead polish they created a couple of years ago that represents Carol, and its just so pretty.  I also used China Glaze 'Stop That Train' from last years fall collection.  For the green I used the gorgeous dark green holo polish from Sweetpea Polish called 'Enchanted Pine.'  

I created my smoosh directly on my nail.  I did not take still pictures because it was just to difficult too.  However, I will be posting a video nail tutorial of this entire nail design either later tonight (Sunday) or early tomorrow.  When I was happy with my smoosh I topped it off with my favorite quick drying topcoat from Together WE Impact.

Once dry, I used these really neat Arrow Dynamic nail vinyls from Polished Vino.  They kind of remind me of trees, and since I used 'Enchanted Pine' it seemed kind of fitting.  I applied a bit of liquid latex on the exposed area of skin for quicker clean.  Than using a makeup sponge I dabbed some black polish within the vinyl.  Dabbing the polish instead of applying it with the applicator brush, allows for a smoother finished nail design with less ridging.  This helps the nail design last longer and is less likely to chip.  I also found that the polish is less likely to flood under the vinyl when using the sponge method. 

As always, I finished of the design with a little bit of clean up using gentle acetone and a brush, and applied my Together We Impact scented topcoat.  I was uncertain about this color combo but I really love the way these turned out.

The lovely Morgan of Sweetpea Polish is having a grand opening sale that ends tonight, Sunday October 16th at 10pm CST.  If you want to get your hands on 'Enchanted Pine' or any of her other holographic beauties, now is the perfect time.  Use code: grandopening10 for 10% off a $10 purchase or code: grandopening20 for 25% off of $20 or more.  Don't wait these babies are so worth it!

If you are interested in joining in on #smooshynailsunday follow any one of the lovely hosts, @dorisnailsdiary, @renai_madisonails, @nail_it_rong, and  @nailsbychablis on Instagram.  Don't forget to follow me, @polish_plebe while you're there.  New color combos are posted every Tuesday, final no nail art included smooshes are due by Saturday evening.  I hope you enjoyed this edition of Smooshy Nail Sunday, thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

Stamping Plate JQ-L17 - Ladyqueen.com Product Review

Hello Lovelies!  Over the weekend I got to play around with stamping plate JQ-L17 sent to me for review from Ladyqueen.com.  I decided to combine this with my #smooshynailsunday manicure that I was also fortunate enough to have time to create.

This plate, Item #NA0869, has many geometric patterns and a couple more whimsical designs too.  There are fourteen full size images and 7 french tip or smaller images.

The images are very crisp and clean.  I tested them using Mundo de Unas 'Silver,' and my Fab Ur Nails stamper and stamped all the images onto black construction paper.  I was pleasantly surprised at how cleanly the images picked up.

For this nail art design I started with a white base coat and protected my cuticles with liquid latex for quicker clean up.  I used a white base coat because I smooshed with neon colors, and neons are always brighter over a white base.

I then used my stamper to smoosh this week's Neon Galactic #smooshynailsunday color combo.  I used Chaotic Glitz 'Little Black Book,' Salon Perfect 'Wrapped Around My Pink-y,' & 'Honeydew, Honey Don't.'

There are a few ways you can smoosh, I typically dot the polishes on a stamper and then smoosh the polishes onto my nails.  Check out my Instagram account @polish_plebe for a quick smoosh video, if you'd like to see more of this process (if the video is not up yet, it will be soon).

I then removed the latex, performed a bit of clean up with gentle acetone and a brush, and then finished the smoosh off with a glossy topcoat.  I prefer to stamp over a topcoat when I am using a smoosh or gradient for my background, however this isn't absolutely necessary for transferring a crisp image.

After my base polish was dry I stamped the star image, in Mundo de Unas 'Silver' on all my nails with my Fab Ur Nails stamper.  I felt the star image was most appropriate since this week's smoosh combo was Neon Galactic.

Remember to remove the protective film from any new stamping plate, otherwise it just doesn't work.

As you can see the image transferred quite nicely with minimal voided spaces, leaving a crisp clean pattern.

I really like all the geometric images on this plate.  This plate has many classic prints such as the hounds tooth and the stars, but also has some very unique images as well.  Many of these images would be great for some reverse stamping too.  I have many design ideas for this plate, now I just have to find the time to create them.

Ladyqueen.com offers a large variety of stamping plates all at very reasonable prices.  This plate, JQ-L17, is currently listed for $5.32, which is a very good price for all the images it has.  While you are checking out there stamping plates be sure to check out their Hot Sales, Special Prices, New Arrivals, and Top Trends for the latest and greatest in nail art supplies and accessories.

In addition to their already great prices, they offer free shipping worldwide, and you can use my code: QJXS15 for 15% off of your purchase.

I hope you enjoyed this design as much as I have, and found the review useful.  Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

Butterfly Water Decals - Ladyqueen.com Product Review

Hello lovelies! Today, I have a two for one post for you, my Smooshy Nails Sunday, Mother's Day edition nails and a product review of ladyqueen.com Butterfly Water Decals, item NA0915.

So, for my base I did my smooshy nails for this past Sunday's Instagram #smooshynailsunday collaboration.  This week the hosts chose white, glitter, and any color of our own choice. I planned on using a blue shade for my color choice, but then I decided to let my daughter choose, because without her I wouldn't be a mother. I ended up using, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear "White On," Don Deeva's "Jersey Girl," and my daughter's choice Trust Fund Beauty "Elegantly Wasted."

For those of you who have never done smoosh nails, sometimes referred to as smoosh attack nails, they are very easy and great for beginners.  Prep your nails with a white basecoat or the lightest color of your color combo, and protect your skin with either liquid latex, tape or glue, this will make the clean up quicker.  Dot your polishes on to a stamper, and then smoosh directly onto your nail.  Repeat until your satisfied.  I only did one smoosh layer on these nails.

When done smooshing, remove your skin protection, perform any necessary clean up, and apply your favorite topcoat.  It's as simple as that!

Even though this is a beautiful smoosh, I felt they could use a little something more, so I decided to try on some of the cute butterfly decals sent to me for review from ladyqueen.com.  These decals are available in several patterns (not all of them butterflies), these are pattern DS-236.

Applying these decals are also very easy and again make them perfect for beginners or for a quick way to dress up any mani.  After you've prepped your nail, either by simply painting it or by doing something slightly more elaborate like the smoosh above, trim out the decals you'd like to use.  Peal off the protective cover, and submerge it in water for 10-20 seconds.  Remove it from the water and carefully slide the decal from the backing.  I found it best to use tweezers to remove these decals from the backing because they are so small.  Dip your finger in water to moisten the surface, then place the decal on your nail.  Wetting your finger first before application allows you to slide the decal on the surface of the nail so that you can place it easier.  If you do not wet your finger the decal will most likely stick exactly where you place it, so the placement is less forgiving and more likely to wrinkle.  Allow a few seconds for the water to dry, and then apply a final layer of topcoat.

These decals are really pretty and a great way to take your mani to the next level without having to spend hours on end.

Additionally, they are very reasonably priced.  These decals are currently on sale for $0.99 and you can use my code: QJXS15 for 15% off, and did I mention they offer free shipping worldwide.  I think that's a pretty incredible deal if you ask me!

While you are visiting their site be sure to checkout their Daily Deals, Hot Sellers, New Arrivals, and Top Trends for the latest and greatest in nail art supplies and accessories.  Lady Queen has an awesome array of supplies whether your into stamping, decals, or just need basic tools they have it all.  

I hope you enjoyed this smooshy nail art design, and found the tutorial and review helpful.  Thank you for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,

Stamped Dotted Diamonds over a Chrome Metallic Smoosh Attack

Hello Lovelies! I apologize for the long title of this post but I just wasn't sure what else to name this nail art design. I created these for this week's WNAC prompt,  diamonds.  I decided to go with a stamped pattern because it was quick and easy. I chose the smoosh attack background because when I created a smoosh attack nail art design last year, it became my most viewed nail art blog post. This is the finished product...

Materials I used:
Basecoat - Dream Polish 'Smooth Gem'
Black base polish - Sinful Colors 'Black on Black'

Cuticula Liquid NailTape
Chrome metallic polishes - Color Club 'We'll Never Be Royals,'  ' Burnt Out,' 'Sorry, Not Sorry'
Fab Ur Nails stamper
Pueen image plate 07
Stamping polish - Mundo de Unas 'Gold'
Topcoat - Glisten & Glow 'HK Girl'
UberChic mat

I began with a solid black base color.

I created the smoosh attack background a little differently than the previous time, but this time I had my Uber Mat, which made it a little easier.  After prepping my fingers with liquid tape, I placed drops of chrome polish onto the mat. Using a stamper I smooshed the polish twisting the stamper to further blend the polishes. I then stamped the pretty mess on my nails. I repeated the process until I had the appearance I wanted.

I almost stopped here because I really like the result of the smoosh attack with the chrome polishes...

But I went ahead and stamped the diamond dotted pattern from the bottom of Pueen image plate 07 in gold over top.

I finished this nail art design as I usually do, with a quick clean up using gentle acetone and a brush, and topped it all off with a glossy topcoat.

I happened to be going to a late holiday party and a birthday party this weekend and I think these nails will be perfect for both.

I hope you enjoyed this nail art design and tutorial. With any luck I'll have a a video tutorial up on my Instagram feed over the weekend or early next week. Thanks for stopping by, see you next time.

Your Fellow Plebe,