Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you all!  Double features for special holiday post today!

This is one of the Christmas nail designs I did. Nothing too much. Just a little stamping. But simple is good!

For this look, I first painted my nails with OPI What's Your Point-settia? (red). I used Christmas ornament design from Messy Mansion MM30 and Nails Inc. Chelsea Bridge Road (gold) for stamping. I also topped non-stamped nails with a light coat of OPI Red Fingers & Mistletoes (red shimmer). 

I initially had an idea to do direct decal method to color in the ornaments but it didn't work well at the trial stage.  The metallic polish is usually very fragile and therefore very easy to lift while you try to add colors. So I gave up and decided to do simple stamping. 

And here is another Christmas design I did this year!

As you may be able to see in the background, my Christmas tree is decorated burgundy (red) and gold usually. (I actually have several different color sets of ornaments so that I can do whatever I feel like. But I tend to go back to this traditional color combination most of the time!) So I did my nails with the same color combination. Green, red, and gold!!

For this look, I first painted my nails with Essie Vested Interest (green) and OPI Red Fingers & Mistletoes (red shimmer). I stamped the tree design from Messy Mansion plate MM30, using Nails Inc. Chelsea Bridge Road (gold).

Matchy matchy with my Christmas tree!!

I wish everyone the safe and happy holidays!

Love,

Little Dot

Plaid!

I see plaids everywhere this season!  I bought a few pieces of plaid clothing this year. Like this scarf!

And this cardigan!

Of course, I have to create plaid nails!

For this look, I first painted my nails with OPI You're Such A Budapest (lavender) and OPI My Vampire Is Buff (cream white). I used MoYou London Hipstar Collection plate 06 for plaid designs, using Essie Petal Pushers (grey blue) and Essie Shearling Darling (oxblood) as stamping polish. 

I did something similar last year here with different color choices. I like both designs. One is more dressed up and the other is more casual look!

Do you love plaid nails?

Love,

Little Dot

Stars and Space!

I wanted to do this design for a long time.  The inspiration comes from one of my iphone cases!

I bought this phone case long time ago. But I didn't have a chance to try this design until just recently!

For this look, I first painted my nails with Essie Stylenomics (very dark almost black green). I used my 3 trusty chrome polishes, Sally Hansen Silver Sweep (silver), Nails Inc. Kings Road (rose gold), and Nails Inc. Chelsea Bridge Road (gold) for various size dots. I used two different size dotting tools so that I can vary the dot sizes. I also stamped a few stars on one of my nails, using Pueen plate 44. 

I enjoyed wearing this look for a week! The different color dots really shine when the light hits! 

Do you match your nails to your phone case? 

Love,

Little Dot

Art Deco Inspired!

I told you about my shopping spree while back in this post here. One of the items I purchased was the Gatsby plate from Messy Mansion. I did this nail design inspired by the Art Deco images of this plate! 

I used two colors from China Glaze Happy Campers mini set. This mini set was such a great buy! If you want to read my review, check it out here!

For this look, I first painted my nails with China Glaze My Lodge or Yours? (dusty mauve) and China Glaze Sleeping Under the Stars (navy). I stamped a few designs from Messy Mansion plate MM45, using Nails Ink Kings Road (rose gold) as stamping polish. 

I really like the combination of colors and the rose gold stamping. Very elegant yet fun look!

Do you like Art Deco designs? 

Love,

Little Dot

Hand-Painted Stamping!

I did the hand-painted stamping before in this post. This is my second time using this technique and I love it!

This time, I wanted to match my scarf! This technique is great when you want to create hand-painted look but you are too scared to directly paint on nails. Also, you get good results on both hands (we all know how difficult it is to paint with non-dominant hand!!) 

The method is quite simple. You use a small brush or a dotting tool to paint design on a stamper head. And you stamp it on your nail. I explained this in a bit more detail here, so check it out. 

For this look, I first painted my nails with China Glaze Sleeping Under The Stars (navy). I painted the floral design on a stamper head using OPI It's A Piazza Cake (burnt orange), Essie Shearling Darling (oxblood), Essie The More The Merrier (light green), and Essie Vested Interest (dark green). I used a small nail art brush for painting. After the design is painted and a little dry, I stamped it onto my nail. 

Design like this is difficult to do with regular stamping, I think. I don't own any plate that looks like hand-painted floral (maybe a bit but not really...) and also it would be quite hard to add a few colors on plate without mixing colors. So this method is perfect!!

Have you tried this technique?

Love,

Little Dot

Fun With Essie Silk Watercolor Sets!

Do you remember that I was going all nuts about Essie Silk Watercolor sets? You can read the reviews I did here and here. Well, this is another look I created using them!

It's like coloring! And I love coloring!!

For this look, I first painted my nails with Essie Stylenomics (dark almost black green). I stamped design from Bundle Monster plate BM-S105 with Konad white stamping polish. I added colors, using various colors from Essie Silk Watercolor sets. 

This method work really well when you have very dark base color because the sheer color will not show on dark background. You don't have to worry too much to stay within lines. 

This is a fun way to add color to your mani!

Have you tried experimenting with Essie Silk Watercolor polish?

Love,

Little Dot

China Glaze Happy Campers Mini Set Review!

I bought this mini set a while ago. And I have been using it a lot!!!

It is a great assortment of colors that are perfect for fall season! I like all the colors from this set but I used Cabin Fever a lot this season. 

Like this one. 

And this one! You can check my previous post here to learn how I created this look!

And this!

Also, I enjoy using My Lodge Or Yours? (mauve pink), Change Your Altitude (greige), and Sleeping Under The Stars (Navy)!

Like this!

And this!

Well, you get the pictures, I have been using these colors from this set quite extensively!! The only colors that I haven't had a chance to use yet are Wood You Wanna? (brownish metallic) and Free Bear Hugs (oxblood). But I am sure I will use them at some point for sure. For the ones I have used, I can tell you they have great coverage and all are easy to apply!

Have you picked up any colors from this collection?

Love,

Little Dot

Mont Bleu Nail File Review!

I was hearing about Mont Bleu nail files for a while. They are made in Czech Republic and suppose to be the best quality glass files you can get. I was looking for a gift for my beloved daughter's birthday and I thought this would be the good opportunity to order them!

Well, aren't they pretty? They come in black velvety cases!

I ordered two files from their crystal line that features Swarovski crystals and one hand-painted nail file. 

There are so many colors and designs to choose from and it took me quite a while to decide which ones to get. I've decided to get this purple one for myself. 

And I got this blue one for my beloved daughter!

I got this hand-painted file as well. Again, there are so many colors and designs and it is so difficult to choose one!

Overall, I am very happy with these nail files. Not only they look so pretty, they work so good! I would likely order more of their products in the future as gifts for friends (and more for myself!)  I felt the price and shipping fee were very reasonable as well. And it arrived unbelievably quick. I think I got them within a week of ordering. Wow! 

You can order these beauties from here. And I was able to get 20% discount by using "BLOG" as a code, so give that a try!

Have you tried Mont Bleu nail files?

Love,

Little Dot

A Little Grown-Up Halloween!

Happy Halloween!! I know Halloween is all about fun, but this year I'm wearing rather subtle Halloween nails. A little grown-up version, to say...

It is a bit hard to see but I have leaf pattern stamped on all nails. And just one Jack-o-lantern as an accent. 

For this look, I first painted my nails with China Glaze Change Your Altitude (greige). I stamped the leaf pattern from Lily Anna plate 01, using China Glaze Cabin Fever (reddish copper duo chrome) as stamping polish. On accent nail, I stamped a Jack-o-lantern from Bundle Monster plate BM-222, using Konad black stamping polish. 

Even though it is hard to capture in the picture, the leaf pattern is quite visible in the sun. 

A little change from my typical bright orange Halloween nails but I kind of like it!

Have a fun and safe Halloween!

Love,

Little Dot

Essie Silk Watercolor Mini Set Review Part 2!

I posted the review of Essie Silk Watercolor mini set review last week. If you read it, you know that I went back to get the second set! Yes, I like it that much! 

Just like the last review post, I followed the directions on the back of the box to do this look!

This set is called Swept Away Nail Look Kit and it includes Muse, Myself (yellow), Love Sheen (pink), No Shrinking Violet (violet), and White Page (white). 

I also painted my non-accent nails with China Glaze Sleeping Under the Stars (navy).

I don't think I like this look as much as the other look from the other set here. But it is likely that I would be using these colors for leadlight nail art! 

Have you purchased any of Essie Silk Watercolor?

Love,

Little Dot