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

Essie Silk Watercolor Mini Set Review!

I picked up this Essie Silk Watercolor mini set at Ulta the other day. 

There was also another set with three different colors (plus the same white base) and I have decided to get just this one. After trying these out, I really wish that I have gotten the other one as well. I'm kicking myself for not getting the other. I'm pretty sure the other one is gone by now because there were only one each at the store. And I've been looking around in other places but I can never find it...

UPDATE* After I wrote up this post, I did go back to Ulta and to my surprise!!!, they still had the other set!!!!! I couldn't believe it! REALLY! What minuscule chance do you think you have to be able to get this last set by going back for it over a week later!!! More story on my next post!

My set consists of 3 colors, Highest Bidder, Point of Blue, Pen & Inky, as well as white base color, White Page. There is an instruction on the back of the box for this look and I did my nails just as the instruction says except I painted a couple of nails with Essie Salt Water Happy. 

I really like the consistency of these. They are not too sticky and apply very easily. I can't wait to use these colors for leadlight stamping!

I loved using OPI Sheer Tints but they started to get thick and stringy. I'm pretty sure I can just add polish thinner to bring back the better consistency though. Meanwhile, these watercolor polishes are perfect as they are. 

Have you tried these yet? Which color did you get?

Love,

Little Dot