Because it's Halloween!!

Must do a Halloween mani!

I had this idea of the skeleton coming  out of the grave... 

For this look, I first painted my nails with Essie Styenomics (greenish black) and Essie Roarrrrange (orange). I used a skeleton image from Bundle Monster plate BM-413 with Konad white stamping polish. I also used a jack-o-lantern image from Bundle Monster plate BM-224 with Mundo de Unas 53 (orange) and Konad white as stamping polish. 

Does it look like the skeleton is creaping out of the grave? Mmm... Maybe not. But I still like it...

Happy Hallowewn everyone!! Trick or Treat!!!

Love,

Little Dot 

Peacock Feather

A little grown-up look for you this week! 

I somehow bought a few similar polish last fall. OPI Just Spotted The Lizard, Color Club Editorial, and Sally Hansen Lustre Shine Plume. And somehow never had a chance to use any of them... I had the idea of using this color with the peacock pattern though. The color shifts of this duo chrome make me think of the peacock feather...

For this look, I first painted my nails with Essie Stylenomics (very dark almost black green) and OPI Just Spotted The Lizard. I stamped the large peacock design from Nailz Craze plate NC 01, using OPI Love. Angel. Music. Baby. 

For my right hand, I reversed the colors. Stamped on Just Spotted The Lizard with Konad Black Pearl stamping polish. 

I like both right and left hand versions equally!! How about you? 

Love,

Little Dot

Nail Stamping Tips & Tutorials 2 - How to Make Decals

As I promised on my previous post here, I am posting a tutorial on how to make decals!

Here is another design I did using decals!

How to make a decal 

1. Transfer a design on a stamper as usual. 

2. Let it dry for a bit. Use a dotting tool to add colors to the design. If you are using multiple colors, make sure you dry each additions to avoid mixing colors. 

3. Let it dry completely. Then put a top coat over the design. Dry completely. 

4. When dry, using a dotting tool or tweezer, ply it off the stamper. 

5. Place it on nail and press it down gently. 

6. Apply top coat and clean up excess with acetone dipped brush. 

That's it! Pretty simple. Here are some tips. 

1. It is better to use firm stampers rather than using soft squishy ones. The firm stampers tend to transfer images very clear and not distorted. Also, when you ply the decal off, you don't have to worry too much about damaging the surface of the stamper. 

2. When you add colors, you don't have to worry too much about being precise. The lines of the image will show through even you color over it because you will be turning the decals over when you place them on your nails. The first layer (the stamped lines) will show when you flip the decal over. 

3. Timing is important. You have to wait long enough to dry the decal on stamper but if you wait too long, the decal will harden too much and it will be a bit difficult to place on nails. It might not stick to your nail when placed. If that happens, put a thin top coat on your nail and just wait till tacky stage, then place the decal very carefully. 

For this look, I first made the bird decals using a bird image from Messy Mansion plate MM14. While decals are drying, I painted my nails with Essie Borrowed & Blue and OPI It's Frosty Outside (silver glitter). I used birds on wire image from Messy Mansion plate MM14 for stamping with Konad Black Pearl stamping polish. I placed the decals on my nails and finished up with HK Girl top coat. 

I decided to do the bird design because I've seen a lot of birds lately. They are swarming on trees, sky, everywhere!!! 

I hope you try making decals if you have never done so. It takes some time but it's fun to do!

Love,

Little Dot

Forest Friends!

I was in a mood for some fun nails this week! 

I wanted to use this Messy Mansion plate MM19 for some time. I got it a few months ago in summer but it felt like fall season design at that time. Now is the great time to have fun with it!!

My favorite design from this plate is the birch tree! I happen to have a big birch tree in my backyard. It is a very pretty tree in any season! I also wanted to use the cute little forest friends, the fox and the hedgehog. I noticed the fox design is fine-lined and to show the orange color, I ended up making decals. I will do a tutorial on decal making on my next post. So, stay tuned! 

For this look, first I made the fox decals (directions to follow on my next post!). While the decals are drying, I painted my nails with Essie Urban Jungle (off white cream) and Essie Sew Psyched (sage green). I stamped the birch tree design from Messy Mansion plate MM19 with Konad White stamping polish. I used leaf design from the same plate to stamp colorful leaves by mixing Essie Sew Psyched, Essie Roarrrrange, and Ceramic Glaze Pinapple Breeze. I stamped a hedgehog with Mundo de Unas stamping polish. When the decals are dry, I placed them on nails. Then I topped with HK Girl Top Coat. 

It is a lot more elaborate and labour intensive look but I had a lot of fun creating it!

I hope you enjoyed the forest friends!

Love,

Little Dot

Animal Prints - Giraffe!

I am not usually an animal print kind of person. I own a few animal print clothing of course (who doesn't!) but I don't wear them that often... So why animal prints this time? Well, I think it's all because of the name of the polish! I just picked up 3 shades of Essie summer 2014 collection from Target at half price. I wasn't too interested in this collection when it came out. The colors didn't look so summery to me. But now getting into cooler weather, these colors would be great for fall season. 

Names of the polish from this collection are definitely animal theme. Names like Urban Jungle, Roarrrrange, Fierce, No Fear, etc. make me think of animal print...

For this look, I first painted my nails with Essie Urban Jungle (off white), Essie Fierce, No Fear (brown), and OPI Love. Angel. Music. Baby (gold). I stamped a design from Bundle Monster plate BM-313, using Konad white stamping polish. I also added a couple of gold dots as an accent on one of white nails. 

I really like the combination of the colors. Somewhat muted but chic. 

Do you like animal prints? How often do you wear them?

Love,

Little Dot

Green and ... 2 Looks

I had green and pink polish bottles side by side on my table and I thought they look cute together.

For this look, I first painted my nails with Essie Navigate Her (light green) and Essie I Am Strong (pink). For stamping, I used a design from MoYou London Pro Collection 08 with Mundo de Unas stamping polish 25. After that, I felt like a little gold, so placed a few gold dots on design with OPI Love. Angel. Music. Baby. 

I wore like this for a few days and the pink started to bother me a little... Maybe a bit too pink? Too cute?? Mmm... I guess when I saw the bottle of this polish, I thought the color was more deeper... Not quite this pink... Well, I decided to repaint the pink nails with different color!

Here comes Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Expresso! In the pictures, it looks red but it definitely has pink in it. It is deep dusty mauvey color. Quite unique. 

I like this look! So I enjoyed wearing this look for the rest of the week. :)

Which look do you like better? Do you switch up some colors to change the look of your manicure?

Love,

Little Dot