Tag Archives: freehand

OMD3 – Watercolor and Freehand Nail Art

18 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by in Community, Nail Art

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

Check the sidebar for information links to this challenge.

I was actually on top of the fish prompt but I attempted the look twice and both  looked horrendous. I was already very tired that evening so I lost all motivation to continue.

I had so many cute stamps I wanted to use and every time I stamped (yes, I mean every FINGER) the image looked different and warped. I just couldn’t do it. I shrugged and said ‘I’ll try them again on the weekend’. Well, the weekend is here and I thought, “obviously I cannot stamp so I might as well do something else”. These freehand fishes aren’t super intricate but I think they are kind of cute!

Hope you like it!

 

#OMD3NAILS - Watercolor and Freehand Fish Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: Glitter Gal Bluemerang

Watecolor: Emily de Molly Candy Coated, Milani Power Periwinkle, China Glaze UV Meant to Be, Picture Polish Serenity

Detail: acrylic paint

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Can’t Get Enough of These Gradient Nail Arts

28 Thursday May 2015

Posted by in Nail Art

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

I posted this on IG already because I was too excited! I seriously could not get enough  gradients. And, I did not even have to think about what colors to use!  The two blues were sitting next to each other, looking perfect!

 

I promised myself I would practice my freehand skills. I put it off just because it  was really freaking difficult! But, I felt the itch and bit the bullet because there was an  upsurgence of freehand designs on all my feeds.

In the spirit of National Arthritis Month, the gradient is RA-friendly. THE FREEHAND, however, IS NOT. NOT. NOT. I set out only wanting to do one nail (hey, I have to start out slow) and am I glad that was it. Had I wanted to do more, I would not have been able to: I developed a severe case of the shakes. As in, my arm, all the way up to my shoulder was trembling like mad.

Regardless, I am really happy with how my freehand came out! But, I’m a long way from anything too complicated!

I hope you like it!

 

Blue Teal Gradient Nail Art | The Rite of Aging

 

 

  • Blue Teal Gradient with Freehand Accent | The Rite of AgingI started with a base of China Glaze UV Meant to Be.
  • I used a makeup sponge and Barry M Cancun at the cuticles.
  • I used acrylic paint for the accent.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Freehand and Watermarble Nail Art: Classic Colors

18 Wednesday Feb 2015

Posted by in Nail Art

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

Photos link to original blog post.

 

I was in a freehand mood this evening and thought I’d give it a try. I know, weird, right?? I cut down one of my brushes and think the thinner point works a whole lot better!

 

I wanted to try a black and white watermarble after I saw Peachy Polish’s valentine nail art and decided to doodle some flowers for contrast. I thought I would try something relatively familiar, I always doodle these on paper!

 

Freehand and Watermarble Nail Art | The Rite of Aging

peachy polish valentine 2015I know my marble does not even rival Valesha’s but I am pretty happy with my overall look. At first, I tried for two marble nails but I could not get the second to look right so I just left it alone. The polishes swam together and I did not get as crisp a line as I wanted.

For the watermarble I used Sinful Colors Snow Me White and Wet n Wild Black Creme.

I used Zoya Anais as the base on the other nails and white acrylic paint for the flowers.

 

I hope you like it…As you know, I don’t usually go for freehand but I just felt like giving it a go!

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Fall-ing for Nail Art: Fall Colors

26 Wednesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Community, Nail Art

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Check the sidebar for more information.

A short post because my wrists and fingers are really painful right now.

Hope you like my sugar-spinning!

 

fall colors sugar spunBase – Milani Dark Coffee

Detailing – butter London Scuppered & OPI Pros & Bronze

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Check out the other fall manicures below!

NAIL (November 2014): Dreamcatchers

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Community, Nail Art

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

Check the sidebar for more information.

Contains affliate links.

 

In elementary school we made dreamcatchers during art class. I was so proud of my creation I brought it home to my parents. They hung it in their bedroom and it stayed there until we moved house. I was convinced the dreamcatcher worked because whenever I slept in my parent’s room I never had bad dreams. I had recurring nightmares as a kid so I frequently slept in their bedroom.

Now, I have the occasional nightmare but I regularly dream. And are they VIVID! Honestly, I sometimes have difficulty separating reality from fiction. My dreams make a whole lot of sense during my REM cycle but when I wake up I realize they do not occur in a sensible order. The dream starts one way, switches scenes, plays out, then returns to the original thought. I think it is really funny I clearly remember the details, though. I am pretty sure I dream in HD.

For this prompt I would have loved to paint dreamcatchers but I my skills are not quite there so I decided to stay with my trusty abstract ideas. However, because of this, it took me a while to think of a suitable design. I am glad I stamped. I probably would not have the patience to freehand this look.

 

I purchased the new Pueen Cosmetics (Leisure Collection) stamping collection. I could not help myself. I love the brand’s designs and the plates are high quality. I have had no trouble scraping, transferring or stamping and I like that they are not separate images but full plate designs. I am highly anticipating the release of the Festival collection in December!

 

I hope you like it!

 

dreamcatchersI started with 2 coats of Milani Peacock as my base.

I sponged with a foam eyeshadow applicator Milani Peacock, Vivid Violet, Power Periwinkle and Color Club Pucci-licious.

I stamped with Konad Special Polish Black, White and PUEEN Cosmetics plate PUEEN 77.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Fall-ing for Nail Art: Pumpkin Chai Lattes

25 Tuesday Nov 2014

Posted by in Community, Nail Art

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , ,

Check the sidebar for more information.

The Challenge Your Nail Art group is hosting another challenge! This week we honor Thanksgiving and Fall. I am beyond bummed I missed yesterday’s prompt (fall leaves) because I had a great idea but I was so flared up life was too hard. I think I will re-visit the theme later, though. Honestly, I did not think I was going to participate in any of the prompts except yesterday’s but as I was inspired by a stamping image from my Pueen plate.

At the beginning of  “fall” Trader Joe’s sold an assortment of pumpkin flavored everything. One of my favorites was the seasonal pumpkin chai mix. I already was a fan of the traditional  chai mix and the pumpkin added a little seasonal flair.

I had a very specific color in mind for the base but did not have the matching nail polish. I mixed two and they turned out exactly how I wanted it to.

 

I hope you like it!

pumpkin chai lattesI started with 3 coats of Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Short Cir-cute and 1 generous coat of OPI Pros & Bronze as my base.

I stamped and dotted with Milani Dark Coffee and Pueen Cosmetics plate PUEEN30.

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

 

Don’t forget to check out the other foodie manicures below!

Born Pretty Store Review: Mixed Metals Foil Transfer Stickers

23 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by in Nail Art, Reviews

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Provided for review. All opinions are my own.

I have another (Born Pretty Store) review for you today but for a completely different product. I saw a Youtube video a long long time ago featuring nail foils. I could not decide whether I liked the idea or not. On one hand, it is VERY RA-friendly. On the other hand, the final nail art looks kind of messy and unintentional. I know, I know, sounds strange coming from the girl who loves abstract nail art! I do not really know how to explain it, but something about foil nail art does not look right.

I was always curious so I thought this was the perfect time to try them! BPS has a huge selection, something like 27 colors, of these (nail art) foil papers so there is something for everyone…as long as you like metallics, of course!

I hope you find this review helpful!

 

nail foils

Nail Foil #27

The above picture also links to the product’s webpage.

The foil comes in a plastic tub with a screw-off lid. The product measures about 44 inches, which I was really surprised about because I did not read the product description, as per usual. When I first saw the product I thought it was only the diameter of the jar so I was very happy when I realized how much there actually was!

 

DSCF1906_fotor

For this look:

 

I used 2 coats of Wet n Wild Black Creme as my base.

I used Color Club Warhol and Pop Beauty Pacific Hoot for the sugar-spun.

Application and Thoughts:

Wait until the last coat of polish is slightly dry and tacky. Gently apply the foil over the nail with the color face up. Quickly lift the foil off the nail.

I watched a couple of videos where people were able to apply the foil to the entire nail and pull it off. However, when I used this method, I also removed the polish. I had more luck applying the foil to smaller areas instead.

The foil was very easy to use. I did experience a great deal of trial and error figuring out how tacky and dry the polish had to be and ended up with bald spots. I just re-applied the nail polish and foil. The polish had to be on the drier side of tacky so this technique worked well for me.

The used spots of the paper became clear so it was easy to not re-use spots.

 

nail foil close upWhile this was a very easy and quick nail art technique parts of it were tedious. It took multiple attempts to build up the color and it was difficult to foil the edges of the nail. Regardless, it was not time-consuming so I did not mind the extra work. I think with a little practice I will not have to “re-touch” as much.

 

I recommend the foils unless you are not a fan of abstract nail art since there is no way to get a structured look with these. As I worked with these I think I realized why I did not like them at first. I do not like the look of bigger chunks. I much rather like the look of the smaller particles that mimic a flakies top coat! I guess that is personal preference, though. What do you think? Have you tried these foils? Which look do you prefer?

One jar of foil (or ~44 inches) retails for $1.50 at the Born Pretty Store website.

If you decide to place an order do not forget to apply my discount code below!

 

unnamed

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.