Aussie Christmas - 7/12 Summer Sunset

Today's Aussie Christmas Challenge mani is gonna be kinda similar to my 'Pool Party' one... Sorry! I didn't really think about it enough. x)
I think almost all of us will do really similar manis for today's challenge prompt. :P

Before I show you the mani, I wanted to say that yes, I'm experimenting with a new nail shape. I have a more rounded shape now. I think it's a bit more flattering on my hands but I'm not totally sure how I feel about it just yet. My nails grow fairly fast anyway so if I end up hating it, it won't be long before I can file them square again. :)

So anyway, I chose to do a sunset-esque gradient accent nail! I don't think I did a super good job of it looking like a sunset but oh well, I still think it's pretty. :)
The polishes I used were Essence Break Through, Cotton On Neon Orchid and Ulta3 Frangipani with a regular kitchen sponge for the gradient. It actually worked a lot better with the kitchen sponge than previous gradients I've done, which I've used a cosmetic sponge for.

Have a great weekend! :)

Oh also - a reminder! My HTF China Glaze "OMG" auction ends tomorrow night at 11:59pm South Australia time! Go HERE to bid on it!

Aussie Christmas - 5/12 Pool Party

20 days til Christmas! :D WOO! Who else loves this time of year as much as me?!

Today for the Aussie Christmas Nail Challenge, the theme is pool party! Christmas and summer time in Australia usually involves going to the pool, or going out in your backyard if you're lucky enough to have a pool! Or running under sprinklers, which is what I did when I was a kid lol. I've never had my own pool but always wanted one and have always loved swimming at the pool. I'm not a massive fan of the beach, it's alright, but I prefer the pool!

My nail art today is inspired by my board shorts! I was going to use my tankini as inspiration but they're just blue, red and white, like the Aussie flag and I've already done Aussie flag nails before! ;) My boardies are a sunset sort of print, with palm trees all over.

My boardies

I used a base of Ulta3 Lily White, my favourite white. It's almost opaque in one coat! Perfecto. :P

I then did a gradient using Cotton On Body's Neon Orchid, Essie Fear or Desire and Ulta3 Frangipani. The technique I use for gradients can be seen in this tutorial by MissJenFabulous on YouTube. I drew a palm tree on my ring finger using my black BYS nail art striper (which I actually just dropped on the concrete outside and I'm surprised it didn't smash).

This is easily the most vibrant nail art I have ever done, haha! I love it!

Elissa xx

31DC2012: Day 16 - Tribal Print

For tribal print, I was a bit worried. I've never been a huge fan of the tribal print trend. But hey I had to give it a go for the challenge! :)

I was inspired by this video on youtube! I only watched about 30 seconds into the video and used the pictures for my inspiration. I thought this looked like the easiest version of tribal print and looked really cool too! 

I used the classic China Glaze - For Audrey for the base. I then freehanded two thick horizontal stripes across my nail with Ulta3 - Lily White and a random polish I bought from Cotton On (in the Body section), very appropriately named 'Taupe'. ;)

This polish from Cotton On Body is actually a pretty good formula for being made by a clothing store! I have a few others from Cotton On and I only had a problem with one of them being a not-so-nice formula! I think I paid $5 for that polish. They do tend to change up which polishes they sell in store pretty often though so I don't know if you'll still be able to find it.
I also used BYS nail art stripers in Black and White for the small details. :) 

This nail art was extremely easy to create! I really like the look! I'd never wear this print on my clothing but for my nails I think it looks pretty awesome.

Come back tomorrow to see my GLITTER mani! :D

Elissa