When it comes to polka dots on nails, I tend to be pretty straightforward in my looks. Partly because it’s easy (and I’m no nail art savant) and partly because I’ve just never had the creative vision to come up with something totally unique. I blame my left-sided brain. I’m much better at riffing (not ripping) off what others have come up with, which is why PinspiratioNAIL was born.
I keep playing with the idea of dots inside dots, dots layered over dots but a lot of my practice designs have come off flat. Then I came across this graphic, retro-inspired design from My Awesome Beauty and my motivation kicked in. Having recently received the new Physician’s Formula Endless Color Custom Nail Trios, to test, it seemed like the perfect time to give this three color design a try.
Celebrities, models and the fashion elite donned their punk-inspired best last night at the Met Gala, a fundraiser for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The annual party celebrates the theme of the spring exhibit and this year it’s PUNK: Chaos to Couture, opening to the public May 9th.
The exhibit examines punk’s influence on high fashion, so if any event was going to bring the nail art, hardcore, it would be this one. Considered the “Oscars of Fashion”, the Met Gala was definitely not lacking in nail drama. Some of the world’s most sought after manicurists brought their A-game last night. Let’s take a look!
Calling all Nail Polish Fanatics!! Let’s get ready to rumble!!!! It’s the first ever Emerald Madness, a March Madness-style face-off to determine the best emerald green nail polish OF ALL TIME!!
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It’s no secret that I’m a longtime lover of green nail polish so when Pantone bestowed their coveted “Color of the Year” title on Emerald, no one was happier than me. Combine that with the fact that I’m a May baby (May 31st) with an emerald birthstone and the concept for Emerald Madness was born.
Keep reading to view the contenders and cast your vote in the first round of playoffs.
“You know what a mermaid’s dream is? [wait for it] Legs!” That’s pretty much the extent of the boyfriend’s take on Deborah Lippmann’s The Mermaids, a collection of four new nail polishes based on last year’s hit Mermaid’s Dream.
Over the years, I’ve picked up numerous manicure tips from professional manicurists, my fellow nail fanatics and my own experiences. I’ve shared a lot of them with you in other posts but never pooled together my faves.
Tip 1 – Swipe bare nails with vinegar prior to polishing. Yep, plain old white vinegar. It removes any oils or residues to help your manicure last.
Tip 2 – Use a thin brush dipped in nail polish remover to clean up polish mistakes. This one seems so obvious to me now but, when I first learned of it, it was a total, “Eureka!” moment. Lightly swiping the brush inside the cuticle will give you the perfect, professional polish curve, EVERY TIME!
Tip 3 – Wrap your tips (aka cap the free edge). This is one of those blink and you’ll miss it techniques that all professional manicurists use. As you finish each coat of base, polish and top coat, lightly swipe the edge of your nail to prolong wear. Pictured below is an exaggerated version of what wrapping your tips looks like.
Tip 4 – Roll your way to the perfect French tip. As you know, I’m not a fan of the classic French manicure but I’m always on board for a funky, colorful French. If you have the patience, using tape will give you foolproof results but in this fast paced world, as Sweet Brown says, “ain’t nobody got time for dat!” The key is to use a polish with a thin brush, like Revlon Nail Art Expressionist, hold your brush steady, and roll your finger underneath.
Tip 5 – Apply cuticle oil to the skin around your nail prior to polish removal to prevent staining. This is crucial when you are using dark polishes or colors that are notorious for staining. Blues & greens I’m looking at you. The added benefit, you protect the skin from the drying effects of nail polish remover.
What are you favorite nail tips? Do you use any of these in your typical manicure routine?
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Revlon and Style Coalition. For more info, view my Disclosure Policy.
