Hello Kitty Themed Nails with Colors by Llarowe and Color Club Halo Hues

In honor of my Hello Kitty loving daughter's 4th birthday, I did this HK themed manicure using a Colors by Llarowe special edition polish called "Courage, Brains & Heart,"  and Color Club Halo Hues "Harp On It."  I used Konad stamping polish and nail stamping plate KD1 and KD19 to create the Hello Kitty face and then used a dotting tool to add the pink to the bow and yellow to the nose.  I also used stamping plate SH214 from Shany to create the polka dots.

Spring Nails! Essie "Sunday Funday" and Striped Nail Art

With all the lovely weather we have been having, and the much needed spring showers we have been fortunate to receive, I was inspired to use some Spring-like colors and get back to doing some nail art too! More details after the jump...

China Glaze Hologlam Collection "When Stars Collide" and Essie "As Good As Gold" Stamping

I bought this entire collection from China Glaze because as I have said, I LOVE HOLOGRAPHIC polishes. These ones aren't as blingy as some others than I have, which makes them even more gorgeous. They aren't so out there that they detract from the stamping, or other forms of nail art you might be inspired to create with these.  Here are two photos, one in the light box and the other in direct sunlight.  Please excuse the slightly off center stamping on some of the nails.

OPI "Mod About You," with Floral Stamping

As I mentioned before, nail art stamping with multiple colors takes practice and patience, and TIME!  I tested this color combination out before I did it on ten different fingers, and it seemed to be a go...however, as you can see, it isn't my best work.  This is almost a fail too, but hey, no one is perfect right?

China Glaze "Galactic Gray" and Hibiscus Flower Stamping

It is easy to get stuck doing nail art stamping with one color. Trying to use multiple colors on the same stamp takes practice and patience, multiple failed attempts and occasionally you will score and achieve the desired result.  I would say this is a 50/50 fail.  The idea and the color combos are awesome!  The execution, perhaps not so much.  In my attempts to get a dual color hibiscus, you have this mani with one or two good looking flowers, and one or two that I am not too sad they came out a little out of focus!

Last Days of Summer- OPI Alpine Snow & China Glaze Summer Neons

As summer draws to a close and the kids are all back in school, I was inspired to do something "Summerish" in protest of it ending.  Although I love fall, I just love bright colors!!  So to show them off, I used a fan shaped paint brush to create the brush strokes in neon colors from China Glaze.  The base color is the OPI "Alpine Snow."

OPI “Vodka & Caviar” with OPI “Spark de Triumph” and Red Heart accent nail

This manicure could be well utilized for Valentine's Day, but I love it at any time of the year.  With red being my favorite color, it is hard for me not to want to wear it all the time.  And who doesn't love some sparkle and hearts?  Are you wondering how I painted the heart?  There are lots of effective ways to accomplish this seemingly difficult task, but I will save all of them of another post.  For this particular manicure, I used blue painters tape.  Yep, the kind you use to mask of walls etc.  I cut the design into the tape, placed the design as I wanted it to appear onto my nail and then painted the red.  I quickly, but carefully, removed the tape and topped with my favorite clear coat.  NOTE**  Two very important tips if you use this method...1. Be sure your nail is dry!  There is nothing worse than pulling up your base color with the tape! 2. Adhere the tape to the palm of your hand a few times to weaken the adhesive of the tape.  Even though it is designed to release from surfaces easily, it is still pretty sticky and you don't need it to be!

OPI "Affair in Red Square" and Black Nail Stamping

Really, what is better than a sexy red with some delicate artistic touches?  I guess a little black dress would have been nice too, but remember this is a Mom's blog, and (trying to contain my laughter) we don't get out much! ;)  

Rainbow Cheetah Print

As if I didn't love rainbow colored anything, a way to make it better, is to add an ANIMAL print! So...Waahlaahh!  For this mani, I used a variety of colors (as you can see). The Base colors for my index finger and ring finger were China Glaze's "Flirty Tankini" and to create the gradient color change I sponged on China Glaze's "Orange You Hot" and "Sun-Kissed" with a makeup sponge. The middle finger and pinky fingers got a base coat of CG's "Sun-Kissed" and then sponged with CG's "I'm With the Lifeguard" and Wet N Wild "Eggplant Frost."  Top that all off with some holographic top coat and then stamp with Konad M57 stamping plate, and you have this creation! Two coats of Seche Vite UV to finish were also used!

Finger Paints "Art You Wondering" & Black French Tips/ Accent Nail Striping

I always seem to shy away from glitter polishes because they are so hard to get off, yet they are so gorgeous! I can’t refuse anything sparkly, but I am always looking for ways to improve an already awesome polish.  I give you….Glitter polish meets black tips and accent nail sunbursts!