Gradient Nails My New Thing!

Yes yes, gradients aren't new, but I've just rediscovered them! and I'm loving this one.  Just had to keep looking at my nails to check they were actually mine, couldn't believe it.

This is the second time I have ever tried my hand at sponging technique to create a gradient affect.  My first attempt was oookkkaaayyy but knew I could do better.  So I was determined to sharpen my technique and get a better result. 

So with the help of the Internet I came across a blog that offered a fantastic pictorial tutorial by the lovely Sammy from The Nailasaurus, I gave it another shot and I'm not looking back.  I skipped Step3, but I think Step5 is the most critical step.  Moving the sponge back and forth is what makes the gradient come to life.

Gradient's are affective and so easily to achieve (now that I know how to do it properly).

Here's my latest combination using OPI's A Grape Fit! and a generic black polish I bought from sportsgirl (I think).  I always use OPI Base and Top Coat's.

  

Hope you liked this and leave a comment below on how you went trying this gradient technique yourself.  I'd love to know what colour combinations you come up with :)

xx Karen

NEW!! OPI Germany Collection - Fall 2012

I am very VERY exctied to share with you (if you don't already know) that OPI will be releasing a new line this Fall (Spring back here in Oz).  And I'm loving these colours not to mention the names too ;)

This is to follow up to a recently collection they released, the Holland Collection... am i sensing a trend here??



OPI Germany Collection - Fall 2012 (Spring for us peeps in the Southern Hemisphere)

Top row L-R:

My Very First Knockwurst

Don't Pretzel My Buttons

Berlin There Done That

Don't Talk Bach To Me

Nein! Nein! Nein! Ok Fine!

Schnapps Out Of It

Bottom row L-R:

Suzi & The 7 Düsseldorfs

Every Month Is Oktoberfest

Unfor-Greta-bly Blue

Deutsch You Want Me Baby

Danke-shiny Red

German-icure by OPI

Yes there are your critics that say there a lot of dupes in this new line... but hey you don't need to get the entire collection right!  and when is too much polish too much?? 

I personally can't wait to get my hands on these.  So keep an eye out at your local beauty store around August 8th.

What are your thoughts? Will you be getting any colours?

xx Karen

Warm Autumn Gradent Mani with Feather Stamps

This look seems to be coming back into popularity at the moment, the Gradient Manicure.  And the best part it's actually really easy and hard to stuff it up! Honestly this was my first attempt at a gradient manicure and as you can see for yourself, it still worked out first time.

I did this mani a while ago, but seeing as i haven't got a video to post up I can only show you in pictures.  Sorry guys, I really want to get into video tutorials, and hopefully I'll recreate another gradient soon and upload a Video Tute.

Here are the pictures of the Gradient affect on it's own.

I used 2 coats of OPI San-Tan-Tonio as the base colour, then using a makeup sponge, dabbed on a gradient starting from one corner and working out diagonally with OPI's You Don't Know Jacques.

The next day I added my finishing touches using Bundle Monster Image Plates BM15 & BM214

Of course apply Top Coat to seal and protect your manicure.  I used OPI Top Coat and OPI Natural Base Coat to begin with.

Thanks for looking, hope you like this manicure and try it yourself (",)

xx Karen 

Bundle Monster Release 3rd Set of Image Plates - Contest

Hello my friends

I've entered a Bundle Monster Stamping Plate Giveaway contest (my first).  It's not just any giveaway, 25 lucky winners will win Bundle Monsters New Image Plates! (their third series) So it's really obvious I really really like to win them.

Entries to the contest to itself have closed, however the public voting have now opened SO START VOTING! (for me preferably). 

Voting will close on Sunday May 14th, the top 50 manicures with the most votes will got through to the next round where judges will decide on 25 of the original 50 who will win the prize (the 3rd series of the Bundle Monster Image Plates. Woot!).



Titled: Spanish Affair
OPI - The Colour to Diner For, image plate BM04

  If you DO have a facebook account, vote here:
http://apps.facebook.com/winnailplates/contests/216667/voteable_entries/49008556

If you DON'T have a facebook account, vote here:
http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/216667/voteable_entries/49008556


You can vote as much as you like, however limited to once a day.
Every vote counts and I appreciate every single one!

Wish me luck, I think I'm going to need it, having a quick look at the other entries it's a tough competition, so going to need all the help I can get.  Even to make the top 50 would be fantastic!

For those interested in the colour and stamp used.  The base colour is OPI - Colour To Diner For, the image stamp is from BM04 from the first set of stamping plates.  I used OPI - Alpine Snow and a dotting tool to finish the emelishments.
Hope you like it and give it a go yourself.

xx Karen

OPI NYC Ballet Soft Shades Collection

Look what just arrived in the post!!

I know these have been out for a little while now, but OPI have released their NYC Ballet Soft Shades Collection for Spring 2012 (Autumn in Australia)

Currently at work so can't play with them right now, but looking forward to doing some swatches later when I get home. I'll post them up here when I've got some done.

L-R: Barre My Sole, Care to Danse?, Don't Touch My Tutu!,
You Callin' Me A Lyre?, Pirouette My Whistle, My Pointe Exactly.

My initial thoughts: 
They're a lot more colourful than I had anticipated.

What I mean by this is that i was expecting the colours to be more muted, a slight variation of nude white.  I'm very happy to see that they're not like that at all! Hopefully after I've done some swatches I can take some photos that will show their true colours.

Stay tuned.