I'm TRY-angling!

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A few weeks ago, my sister was taking a road trip across the US with her boyfriend, hitting all the hot fishing spots between Michigan and the west coast. One of her stops was in St. George, UT, only 1.5 hours from me, so we met up for a hiking adventure with our hounds! Amongst the camping supplies, dog food, flyrods, and other miscellaneous stuff taking over the back of her Jeep was a couple of Nubar collections that she neglected to inform me that I had received (tsk, tsk!). However, it was like Christmas for me! (literally - she brought the Christmas collection! lol)

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It's a Wash!

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Do you ever have one of those days where you're inspired to create some nail art...and you're lucky enough that it turns out EXACTLY how you envisioned it? The day I created this design was definitely one of those days for me. It was after I watched an episode of Project Runway, and I was inspired by a rug, of all things. :D I liked how the colors messily faded from one color to the next, and I knew I wanted to do it in a cream/turquoise/navy color scheme. I feel like I'm inspired by rugs a lot...weird. Either I look down a lot, or I have a thing for rugs? (not bad toupee rugs though)

For this design, all I did was paint the cream color as a base, then grabbed my turquoise polish, wiped all the excess polish from the brush, then brushed the polish lightly from the tip toward the cuticle, stopping about 2/3 of the way down. Next, I did the same with my navy color, only going 1/3 of the way down, so both the cream and turquoise would show. I tried to make the strokes look semi-messy and distressed looking. I topped it off with topcoat and was good to go! I got so many comments on these nails, and I absolutely loved them (so much so that I touched up the navy when I got tip wear, and I'm still wearing them a week later!!).

I used:

Cream: Illamasqua Load
Turquoise: Morgan Taylor West Coast Cool
Navy: Morgan Taylor Polished Up Punk

Base Coat: Glisten & Glow Stuck on Blu
Top Coat: Glisten & Glow HK Girl

Tell me in the comments about a time where your next art turned out exactly as you envisioned!


Disclosure: Some of the items in this post were provided by the manufacturer for consideration. 

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Fit for a Goddess?

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Today I have yet another of the designs that I posted on Instagram (Follow me at: thedailynail) for the 31 Day Challenge a few months ago. The theme of the day was 'Blue'. For the theme, I went back to my days in India and chose to do Kali, one of the Hindu goddesses. Kali is described as black, but is portrayed in art as blue, so I thought it'd be a fun take on the theme of the day! She is also portrayed with her tongue out, small fangs, and a necklace of severed human heads.

I used:

Pink: Seche Happy, As Is
Blue: Essie Butler Please
Gold: China Glaze 2030
Sparkly Gold: China Glaze Mingle With Kringle
Black: American Apparel Hassid
White: Chrome Girl Between the Sheets

Basecoat: Morgan Taylor Stick With It basecoat
Topcoat: Seche Vite topcoat

What do you think, did I satisfy the 'Blue' theme for the day? Tell me in the comments below!

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Point Taken!

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It's spring. Seriously, in Michigan today I am able to go outside WITHOUT A COAT! How exciting, right?! I have to say, I'm super stoked about slightly warmer days and well, the lack of snow. I can't wait to be able to play outside with Homer and take his energetic little white butt for walks.

Today, to celebrate a day above freezing, I decided to do some quick nail art using some nail polishes from the Morgan Taylor nail polish line. It's very simple, but it makes me think of pools and bright sunshiny days!

To achieve this look, I simply painted my nail with Morgan Taylor Water Baby and then used tape to mask off where I didn't want the turquoise to go, then painted with Morgan Taylor West Coast Cool. Remove the tape, add topcoat and done! :-D

I used:

Light Blue: Morgan Taylor Water Baby
Turquoise: Morgan Taylor West Coast Cool

Basecoat: Morgan Taylor Stick With It basecoat
Topcoat: Morgan Taylor Need for Speed topcoat

What do you think? Does this nail art feel like Spring? What are you painting for spring? Tell me in the comments below!

Morgan Taylor nail polishes, as always, are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate and can be purchased at loxabeauty.com for $8.50. 

Disclosure: Products in this post were provided for review by the manufacturer. See the legal page disclosure for more information.

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Moonicure Monday - GObama!

As I'm sure most of you know (if you're from the the US or not), tomorrow is Election Day! Of course I had to do presidential nails for the occasion! I know that the topic of politics is a hot button issue these days, and this post is my nail art in support of President Barack Obama! Living outside the US this past year, I have gotten a better hold on what others think of the US, its people, and our president, and it's pretty clear to me who they want.

Side note, my nails are more nubbiny now, I broke my thumbnail after accidentally 'scoring' it with a paring knife while cooking. Ironic that it happened the same day Katherine of Manicure Addict commented that my nails were getting really long! lol

Who are you voting for? Tell me in the comments! (Please be respectful. Rude comments will not be published. Thanks for being adults! :D)

I used:

White: American Apparel T-Shirt
Red: American Apparel Downtown LA
Blue: Pure Ice French Kiss
Red Glitter: Milani Red Sparkle
Blue Glitter: Milani Blue Flash

Basecoat: Cult Nails Get it On
Topcoat:  Seche Vite + Cult Nails Wicked Fast

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Have I Crossed the Line? Tutorial!

You asked for it!

I'm overwhelmed by the amount of you that wanted a tutorial for this design (in the best way!), and knew I had to let it jump queue to the top of the list!

With no further ado...

So how do you plan to cross the line?

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Have I Crossed the Line?

So this design MAAAAAAAY look a little familiar. Just a little. It may have been one-fifth of yesterday's design. Ok, it was. It totally was. I seriously loved how the thumb turned out, and thought it'd look totally rad as a full manicure in that style. The main difference this time around it that I didn't stick to red, I decided to totally taste the rainbow- but only when I eat with my hands.

Someone mentioned they'd like a tutorial for the thumb (or in this case, the full manicure). Anyone else interested? Let me know, and I'll try to work it in to the tutorial schedule. :) I have some fun ones that I'm planning to film soon (if the ideas work out other than in my brain). Anyway, I won't babble on too much more, here's the nail arty-ness.

I used:

White: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On

Black: American Apparel Hassid

Red: Cult Nails Evil Queen
Orange: CND Electric Orange
Yellow: CND Bicycle Yellow
Green: CND Green Scene
Blue: CND Anchor Blue

Topcoat: Seche Vite topcoat

Basecoat: Seche Vite basecoat

Eyes hurt yet?

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Under My Umbrella-ella-ella

Imagine lounging comfortably on your couch innocently watching reruns of Season 1 of Grey's Anatomy, when all of the sudden—the cable goes out!? CRASH! BOOM! CRACK! FLASH! What? Where did that come from?! Five minutes ago there wasn't a cloud in the sky! Yeah well, welcome to monsoon season in India. I swear to god there is a switch somewhere 'upstairs' that someone flicks to change the weather here. It goes from pleasant weather to booming thunder that you can feel in your guts and lightning that looks like strobe lights–shall we call it strobe lightning?!

I know, I know. Another weather-related nail design, but Reader Rita said I HAD to do it since I mentioned it, and who am I to be a tease?! This design makes me smile when I see it, and I'm glad that I did it!

What's the weather look like where you live?

I used:

White: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On
Red: China Glaze Hey Sailor
Red Shadow: CND Bloodline
Red Highlight: China Glaze Hey Sailor + Zoya Arizona
Yellow: American Apparel Manila
Yellow Shadow: Zoya Arizona
Yellow Highlight: American Apparel Manila + Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On
Blue: MAC Breezy
Blue Shadow: Cult Nails Time Traveler
Blue Highlight: American Apparel American Denim + Cult Nails Time Traveler
Green: CND Green Scene
Green Shadow: CND Green Scene + Cult Nails Time Traveler
Green Highlight: CND Green Scene + Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On
Dark Brown: China Glaze Mahogany Magic
Tan: Essie Brooch the Subject + American Apparel Manila
Light Blue: American Apparel American Denim
Topcoat: Seche Vite topcoat
Basecoat: Seche Vite basecoat

Who else finds it ironic that I took a picture of these nails on a sunny day? (I swear it was a crazy storm last night!)

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Sun and Moons

Well it seems to be Weather Week here at TDN, not sure how that happened, but I keep thinking of weather related nail art ideas! I have one more in my head, I'm debating whether to post it, or hold on to the idea for a bit. What do you guys think? Wait? Don't wait? Eh, maybe I'll see if the weather event that inspired it actually happens. Sound like a deal? Well OK then!

Today's nail art is (obviously) suns. Get this though- they're also, what for it—MOONS. Get it? Nerdtastical.

I used:

Blue: American Apparel American Denim
Yellow: American Apparel Manila
Light Orange: Zoya Arizona
Medium Orange: Jesse's Girl Beauty Guru

Topcoat: Seche Vite topcoat
Basecoat: Seche Vite basecoat

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It Was Elementary, Dear Watson! Nail Art Tutorial

What?! Another Back to School tutorial?! Dang, if I keep this up, you're going to be super ready for school days to start, and no apples for those teachers will be required! :D

Today I did a tutorial geared more toward the younger kids and the parents of younger kids- something you either loved or loathed - Manuscript writing! :D This tutorial is based off of the It Was Elementary, Dear Watson! design I did a while back.

What do you think? Is it teacher's pet material or does it deserve a detention!?

What was your favorite thing about the first day of school? I always loved wearing new clothes, and using new school supplies. *NERD ALERT*

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A Dash to the Finish Line

So I know I've been posting a lot of tutorials lately, and not as much nail art, so I decided to post something other than a flag today!! :-D  (Speaking of, are there any that you want to see? I have a few requests already, but I'll get to them!  :) )

It always amazes me how designs change even while I'm painting them. This design originated as dashes of all the same length in white over black, with an occasional red accent dash. It eventually evolved to different lengths of white dashes on back creating a wave-ish pattern with no red. Finally, I added color to each nail, making a sort of rolling gradient across the dashes. In retrospect, I wish I would've stuck to one color family for the entire manicure, instead of a different one on each nail. The orange and blue nails were my favorites...maybe I could've done an orange palette with a blue accent nail? (or vice versa?) Maybe next time?

I used:

Black: American Apparel Hassid
White: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On
Dark Orange: CND Electric Orange
Medium Orange: Zoya Arizona
Yellow: American Apparel Manila
Dark Green: American Apparel Hunter
Medium Green: CND Green Scene
Light Green: Sally Hansen Grass Slipper
Dark Teal: American Apparel Peacock
Medium Teal: Zoya Robyn
Light Blue: American Apparel American Denim
Dark Purple: Zoya Pinta
Medium Purple: American Apparel Imperial Purple
Light Purple: American Apparel L Esprit
Dark Red: CND Bloodline
Bright Red: China Glaze Hey Sailor
Pink: Zoya Shelby
Topcoat: Seche Vite

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Finnish Flag Nail Art Tutorial!

I'll be honest, I can count the number of things I know about Finland on one of my hands. I know that metal band Lordi is from there (and I saw them in concert in Vegas, and they're cah-razy. Impressive show though), there are 35 species of mosquitos (and I thought India was bad), the capital is Helsinki, and the flag is blue and white. There, that's it, and I still have my thumb remaining. Oh! One more- Finland looks beautiful; the pictures I've seen are simply stunning.

I actually got TWO requests for the flag of Finland- so here you go! :-D

Get it, Finnish(ed)?!

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Brazilian/Brasilian Flag Nail Art Tutorial!

A lot of you lovely (and handsome) readers are Brazilian/Brasilian, so how could I NOT do a Brazilian flag tutorial during my Flags of the World nail art tutorial series? My apologies for almost certainly murdering the Portuguese language in the intro!! (I tried!)

The Bandeira do Brasil!

 Espero que os guste!

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American Flag Nail Art Tutorial!

TOOT! TOOT!  Next stop on the Flags of the World Nail Art Tutorial Express (hot damn that's a long name for an express train) is none other than Old Glory, the flag of the good ol' U S of A!

Though I'm sure that the majority of you lovely readers have seen the American flag nail art a zillion times, a 'Flags of the World' nail art tutorial series wouldn't really be the same without it, right?

Well here you go:

Triangle.

Oh, and can someone turn off the dawnzer? (please someone get this reference)

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British Flag Nail Art Tutorial!

So, because I get requests for flags quite a bit, I decided what better time to do flag tutorials than for the OLYMPICS?! First flag tutorial—the British flag! I mean, the Olympics are in London this year...

 

In the comments below, post what flags you'd like to have tutorials for, and I'll do my best to make them! :)

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Olympic Rings Tutorial!

So I'm going to be doing a series of tutorials for the Olympics, and this is the first one! :) I decided to get into the tutorial spirit, and get my ass in gear. Unfortunately my internet disagrees. It takes a full hour to upload a 4.5 minute video! Awesome right?

Anyway, I hope you like the first in my Olympics-themed Nail Art Tutorial Series!

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With Her Head in the Clouds

Did you know that today is Amelia Earhart's 115th birthday? If you've been to Google today you did! :-D  In honor of this inspiration of a lady, I did flying nails!

I apologize this post is super short in the ways of words, but my head hurts so bad right now I feel nauseous, and I really want to go get some sleep. However, I really wanted to get this post up on her birthday! :)

I used:

Blue: American Apparel American Denim
Red: China Glaze Hey Sailor
Red Highlight: CND Electric Orange
White: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On
Black: American Apparel Hassid
Topcoat: Seche Vite

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Wherever the Chips May Fall

My nails are FUZZY!!!

I can't take credit for the fuzzy part- I was inspired by Jen over at The Polishaholic blog! The rest of the inspiration for this nail art came from being homesick, and from being bummed about missing out on CosmoProf North America right now in Las Vegas with all my other blogger friends!! *BUMMED*

In honor of all the lovely bloggin' ladies in Vegas right now, I made Vegas poker nails!!  I used green flocking for the felt, and poker chips to make the half-moons!

I used:

Green: CND Green Scene

Yellow: American Apparel Manila

Red: China Glaze Hey Sailor

Blue: MAC Breezy Blue

Black: American Apparel Hassid

White: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On

Topcoat: Seche Vite

Next year.

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Instant Gratification

I decided to something simple today- just a plain silver, satin-finish manicure. Im not sure how well it turned out- maybe this is why I do crazy nail art- I mean- look at it...it's horrible. Bumpy, uneven, and I mean, look at those brushstrokes. UGH. 

HA! Just kidding. While today's design/technique didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped, I still thought it was a fun enough idea to share. 

I dunno about you folks, but I can't resist a good instant lottery ticket—my weakness? BINGO or crossword scratch-offs. :-D (I feel like I'm getting more entertainment for my money) Since they don't have lottery in Nevada, and obviously not in India, I only get to buy them when I'm visiting my home in Michigan, and I totally have to set a limit for myself. :-D They say that lottery is a tax on the poor, but I don't really play with the expectation of winning, it's more like a slot machine handle pull or a hand of blackjack for me... purely entertainment. When I was reminded the other day on Pinterest of a tutorial I saw a few years back about making your own scratch-off tickets, I knew that I had to do a scratch-off manicure! :)  To make the scratch-off finish- all you need is 1 part dish soap and 2 parts silver (or any metallic) acrylic paint. 

Granted, this is kind of a single-use and VERY impractical manicure, but you know me....

I used:

White: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On

Blue: American Apparel American Denim

Dark Grey: Nubar Stronghold

Topcoat:  Seche Vite

Scratch off 3 nail polish symbols and you're a winner!! 

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Martian Molecules

Ever had one of those days where you start with one idea, and end up with something else? This is definitely one of those days. I started off with an ombre ombre! (Meaning that I did an ombre on each nail, and an ombre across the hand!) Now don't get me wrong, I totally liked how it looked, but I felt like it was missing something...so out came the teal. I'm not sure where this design came from in the depths of my brain, but it looks like some sort of alien DNA or space molecule structures or something. (Hence the post name) :-P

I'll be honest, I did that snazzy technique for doing sponge gradients, but this one was a bugger. The green wasn't quite opaque enough over the cream, so I had to go over and over and over and over it. (and over it again one more time) I DO like this idea of an ombre ombre though. :-D (plus it's fun to say)

I used:

Cream: American Apparel Cotton
Dark Green: American Apparel Hunter
Medium Green: Zoya Shawn
Light Green: Zoya Shawn mixed with American Apparel Cotton
Teal: American Apparel Peacock
Topcoat: Seche Vite

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