Still polishing… plainly

I haven’t done much nail art….. in the past TWO AND A HALF YEARS…. whew…. that’s a long time.

But I am still doing my nails.

I was going to a salon for a while…. Completely ruined my poor little nail beds. Unfortunately. But due to the whole coronavirus shutdown… I’ve had the opportunity to reunite with my nail time.

And I do believe my nail beds appreciate it. lol

I am using dip powder pretty much all the time, so today is no different.

NuGenesis Dip Powder in color “I Rule” (Color NU-151) is a wonderfully neutral taupe-toned near transparent color that basically blurs out nail imperfections.

Maybe soon I will make time and room for creating some nail designs as well.

Anew

It was time.

I was becoming super unproductive…unable to easily type; accidentally scratching the first layer of my epidermis off; …and it was taking a LOT of polish to cover my nails.  lol

So, my nails had to go.  Besides that, my nails had a few cracks and weaknesses – which is always a sign for the need of a fresh start.  Spring feels like it’s actually arrived now too, so it was not just time, it was a GOOD time.

The weather in all its sunny glory made picking a color super simple.

“Thistle Do Nicely” – China Glaze Geláze

This is one of my faves.  It looks like a pool party color.  Definitely a Summer color…. even though it’s only April…. and it’s supposed to rain tomorrow.  LOL.  I’ll need this cheery color for then.

Marbling

Truth be told, I haven’t even attempted a marble design on my nails….

So these Coconut Nail Art by Incoco Nail Polish Strips were perrrrrrrrrrfect. And I love them. Maybe they are making me lazy when it comes to nail design, but I still love them. 🙂

So far these nail polish strips are neck and neck with OPI nail polish strips for my preference.  These Incoco strips are a tiny bit thicker and slightly sturdier for application than the OPI nail polish strips.  That thickness probably makes application easier for a “beginner”.  I think the OPI strips lay flatter and thinner on the nail.  They are far superior than China Glaze’s nail strips. COMPLETELY. (China Glaze has some really cute art designs though.)

I did a white no-chip manicure under this nail design, and a no-chip top coat on top of the strips…for longer wear, of course.  And shorter “dry” time.

French

different. but the same. 

pinker. 

ibd Just Gel  – “Flowerful”  & “Whipped Cream”

i like it. enough 😊.

I couldn’t remove those ragged China Glaze nail strips fast enough. I should have known it was a mistake when it took so much effort to apply them. 

They “LOOKED” ok, but felt horrible. 

and they gotta be both good looking and good feeling to work. 

💅🏾

The Jungle

“Jane Loves Tarzan” Nail Polish Strips by China Glaze

I did a neutral colored no-chip beneath the nail polish strips….. because that’s how I roll….. lol.

Applying these real polish strips was TEDIOUS!!! They are thicker than other polish strips that I have used so definitely not as pliable. I could have probably hand-painted this design in less time. 😖

While the thinner real polish strips tear more easily which could lead to mistakes in applying…. these China Glaze suckers are so thick, they were way more difficult to “finish” on the nail. More difficult to file off at the free edge. And prone to lifting. 

And because they are thicker they probably wear longer on the nail. And because it was so much work putting them on and with the possibility of them wearing longer, if they look decent after the first seven days, I’m skipping the manicure next week and wearing these for 2 weeks!!!! *fingers crossed*

I love the design too. Looks like giraffe skin on my nails. lol

Very neutral, but a splash of fun. 

Rose Gold Chrome

❤️

It took me at least 6 months to get this to work. 

And after purchasing different product, I realized why. lol
Initially I purchased some little bottle of cheap $2 chrome powder from Amazon. And the first time I used it, I wasn’t entirely unsuccessful. 

But it definitely was not THIS beautiful finish of sparkly reflective perfectly “rosed” gold mirror that happened when I paid $20 for this tiny ass circular dish of silver-hued dust that sticks to everything nearby. 

AND IS WORTH EVERY PENNY AND CLEANING ANNOYANCE. 

I can’t even begin to explain the affinity I have for this look. 😂😂

It was beauty in motion. I couldn’t resist talking completely with my hands. 

I used a bright pink no-chip color as my base. (China Glaze Geláze in Shocking Pink)
And then I applied the mirror effect powder. Topcoated. Then gaped lovingly at my fingernails.  😊

#PLAID

I have definitely fallen in love with plaid. 

At least on my nails. It’s a lot of work and effort and steady hands for a good handpainted design……

…..but I found a shortcut. lol

Coconut Nail Art Polish Strips by Incoco. 

Easy, breezy…… and REMOVABLE WITH POLISH REMOVER!!!!!!!!

The fact that it is actual polish is a plus in my book because all those fake nail design STICKERS are trash. They are cute and have great designs, but they ABSOLUTELY do not stay on my nails. 

I’m sure that is a result of user error and hardship. I am really rough on my nails, sadly. Regardless, them stupid sticker suckers NEVER last. Not even a day. 

So these “actual nail polish” strips are gold to me. 

and they are cute!!! lol

To create the same long lasting designs as my hand-painted creations, I used a white no-chip polish, then top coat. Then I applied the polish strips (per the directions on the box. – basically peel and stick. haha). Applied another coat of top coat…cured…. and voilà!! Cute plaid nails for me. 
And yes, I know…. i have neglected my blog for ages. 

It be’s like that sometimes. But for now…..I’m baaaaaaaaaaaack. 😉

Primary Colors

 
First off….. Nails gone. Lol

   

I love when my nails get to start over. I’m always the most productive then. 

I like when they grow out as well…. But one of my nails felt like it was about to break, and I wasn’t about to sit and babysit any nails…. Plus I kept accidentally scratching myself. So I cut them off. 

Then finally repolished. 

ibd Just Gel – “Lucky Red”

  

I created a decal for my ring finger design with a stamp design and added color. Primary colors. Applied over a base of a white no-chip polish. 

Fun stuff…. Will definitely do this again. 😁😁😁

   
   
 

Bowling

Nope. I am not planning to go nor did I just finish… And I’m not currently. Lol

But my nails look like bowling pins. So….

China Glaze Geláze- “Turned Up Turquoise” & “White On White”

 

OPI  – “Can’t aFjörd Not To”

  

—————

   
   

Plaid Again

I did this before…a long time ago. —> “Color Picnic”

I love color. And since its so gloomy, I needed a little brightness.

ibd Just Gel – “Rocco“

OPI – “Greenwich Village”
craftsmart acrylic paint – “Ocean Breeze”
  
  

craftsmart acrylic paint – “Ocean Breeze”, “Orange”, “Grape Taffy”, “Grey”
OPI – “Green-wich Village”, “Modern Girl”, “Pink-ing of You”, “Can’t Find My Czechbook”