Hi!

I'm so pleased I've been able to keep up with nail art/blogging lately, even though I've been reviewing like crazy for exams! Scheduling is key :) 

Today I have my first attempt at one stroke! This technique has been on my 'to try' list for a long time -- I kept putting it off because it looked so hard, but it was far easier than I expected!

Polishes used:
Sephora by OPI It's Totally Karma | Deborah Lippmann Fake It Til You Make It and Harlem Shake | Nails Inc Queen Victoria Street | Acrylic paints

OK, the flowers are far from perfect, but considering I did them with my non-dominant hand I'm pretty pleased! (For some reason, my brain was like "HEY LUCY, LET'S DO THESE WITH OUR NON-DOMINANT HAND TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR OURSELVES!!!!!" so I did)

I was originally going to do all 4 fingers with flowers but then I got lazy hehehehehheh

 I followed a tutorial on YouTube to do these. I can't find it now (weird), but there are a lot of good tutorials out there! 

I also wanted to show y'all my thumb (Deborah Lippmann Harlem Shake) because I love how vibrant it is!

Also, I've been thinking about starting some sort of blogger collab group this summer. Franziska of Frankie Hunter's Nails proposed this to me awhile ago, but I haven't had time do anything about it until now. I was thinking we could all do matching/themed nails once a month, or a challenge one month of the year? I'm definitely open to suggestions.

Let me know if you're interested -- leave a comment below, or email me at thenailsnail@gmail.com!

Thanks for reading!

Lucy xx

Nautical Nail Art

Hi!

I loved First Mate so much, I had to do another manicure with it! (see my previous post featuring First Mate)

The polish is named First Mate, and it's navy, so of course I had to do something nautical.

I finally got to put this weird chain I had lying around to good use!

I used striping tape for the stripes on my index and ring finger, then freehanded everything else. 

Polishes Used
China Glaze First Mate | Wet n Wild French White Creme | Nails Inc Chelsea Bridge Road

I like doing a couple posts in a row that are similarly themed, what do you guys think?

Thanks for reading!
Lucy xx

China Glaze First Mate

Hi!

In a change of pace from last week's 80's themed nail art, I have some nautical sort of stuff for you guys this week :)

This design was inspired by Matchbook Nails' gorgeous design (it's my Cinderella hand, so I had to choose something simple!).

Polishes used:
China Glaze First Mate | studs from Claire's

 First Mate is an amazing polish. It gives full coverage in ONE coat, self-levels beautifully, and is a gorgeous navy color! 

The top photo shows it more purpley than it really is; I've edited the photo below to show its true color.

I love the simple feel of these. The only thing bothering me is that the studs are different shades of gold! 

Thanks for reading!

Lucy xx

Deborah Lippmann 80's Rewind Collection: Splatter

Hi!

Today I have another design with Deborah Lippmann's 80's Rewind collection to show you. . .

On my Cinderella hand I always have to do an easier design because I can't do things with my non-dominant hand. Splatter manicures are simple to do and look very 80's!

Polishes Used:
Wet n Wild Black Creme | Deborah Lippmann Walking on Sunshine, Maniac, Whip It, She Drives Me Crazy | studs from Claire's

My two 80's Rewind manicures together <3

I hope you liked these two designs & thanks for reading!

Lucy xx

Deborah Lippmann 80's Rewind Collection: Eyes

Hi!

Oops, another week has gone by with no posts :( It's been super busy, with finals and AP tests coming up! But I'm scheduling 4 posts for the next couple of weeks so no matter how busy things get, the blog will go on!!

***

My wonderful aunt works at Barney's and gets free nail polish and gives it to me... which is why I have the Deborah Lippmann 80's Rewind collection to show you today! 

Polishes Used (pinky to index):
Deborah Lippmann Maniac, She Drives Me Crazy, Walking on Sunshine, Don't Stop Believin

Eyes seemed pretty 80's and rewind-ish to me, so... 

I like how the lines can be super shaky but it still looks OK! (I can't draw straight lines!!)

I finally got to use my fabulous eye book background!

There are 6 shades in the 80's Rewind collection (all cremes, listed from L to R): Whip It, Don't Stop Believin, Walking on Sunshine, She Drives Me Crazy, Video Killed the Radio Star, and Maniac. All of them were super pigmented and had great formulas, with the exception of Walking on Sunshine, which required 3 coats for non-streaky opacity.

I liked this collection but I don't feel it's a must-have. Bright colors aren't really my sort of thing -- I tend to go for nude/pastel shades. None of them feel that special to me. Except for maybe Walking on Sunshine, there are probably cheap drugstore dupes for all of these. But if you love retro colors and are willing to spend $18 per bottle in exchange for a wonderful formula, go for it!

Thanks for reading!

Lucy xx

Spring Skittle

Hi!

I think skittle designs are my favorite, they're like 4-in-1 manicures!

Polishes Used:
Deborah Lippmann Flowers In Her Hair, Blue Orchid, Tip Toe Through the Tulips, and Build Me Up Buttercup | Wet n Wild French White Creme

All the shades in this manicure are from Deborah Lippmann's Spring 2014 collection. I think doing designs with whole collections is something I want to do more of -- the shades usually match together really well so I don't have to worry about coordinating colors!
On my index finger, you might not be able to tell I did a gradient with Blue Orchid and Flowers in Her Hair -- the two shades are similar enough for it to not be very obvious.

Don't worry if you're feeling too spring-ified, next week I have some designs that aren't pastel and spring-y :)

Thanks for reading!

Lucy xx