Orange slices

Well, I admit to not feeling robust enough for proper orange nails this week.  So I've gone for a different, but still literal, take on orange nails... and yes, the colour orange is a feature... sort of!

Very simple: Butter LONDON Union Jack Black, which gives great coverage and shine with only two coats.

Fimo orange slices, one large, one small, and OPI Top Coat generously applied for seal and shine.

The only thing that puts me off Fimo slices is that it's difficult to curve them to the nail.  So I end up with masses of top coat but still with distinct lift around the edges.   Something to work on in the coming months, I guess!

Red gloss and matte mix

So, I did my first manicure for the challenge.  Day one is nice and easy: use the colour red.  Interpret that how you will!

For me, it was late at night, and I have an early start tomorrow, so it was simple, but still (I like to think)  a bit different.

Day One: Red Nails

Excuse the messy edges: this is my worst nail polish habit: I don't fuss about to avoid painting my fingers, because a bit of a scrub with the nail brush in the morning shower usually takes care of any spill over!

I've used OPI I've got the Blues for Red as my base colour; two coats was plenty for the coverage I wanted.  It's a lovely deep red, and most importantly for my purposes today, has lots of shine.

I've freehanded the diagonal tip using Revlon Matte Suede Ruby Ribbon.   The great thing about the Revlon Matte Suede range is that they don't preserve brush marks at all, so I could apply it diagonally and didn't end up with any giveaway marks.

I didn't use a top coat: just because I didn't have the time to mess around with matte and shiny top coats, and I didn't want to sacrifice the effect.  This does mean the polish will probably wear off fairly quickly, but I can live with that.

I love this look: it's simple, it's easy to do, and it's subtle enough for a formal office environment (such as my workplace).  The hardest bit is making sure your matte polish and your shiny polish match up properly.

So what is the 31 Day Challenge?

As I said in my Welcome post, for me this challenge is about expanding my nail art repertoire.  For you, the challenge might be something different.  I found the challenge at Nail Art 101, and they not only did the whole thing in 31 days, but also put up an  online tutorial for each day!

The challenge is just a framework to help you decide: what nails will I have today?  Or in my case, what nails will I have this week?

The Challenge:

 

I won't be providing tutorials (I'm still learning, myself)!  I will post photos when I update my nail look, and let you know what colours and techniques I used as appropriate.

Hopefully you'll find some inspiration!  Happy manicuring!

My 31 Day Challenge Plan - and my stash!

Okay, so you may have seen the 31 Day nail art challenge elsewhere.  I found it at Nail-Art-101.com, and loved the idea!

I have been hoarding nail polishes, nail art embellishments, glitters, nail art pens, brushes, acrylic kits and ... well, you get the idea.  Everything I've bought I've loved: but I bring it home and it goes in the nail art caddy.  Then when it's mani day, I have a complete creativity blackout, and do something simple and/or boring like a shatter or a plain colour.

My nail art caddy: my stash!

So for me, this challenge is about three things:

• expanding my repertoire, 
• channelling my inner nail technician, and 
• using all these wonderful bits of bling I've been collecting! 

One thing I should be clear on up front: I have no intention of doing this challenge in 31 days!  I have a busy job, a home and husband to keep, and other things I need to get done!  Instead, when it's time for tidying up my nails, I'll be doing the challenge in order.  So on day one, I'll do day one's challenge: but I might not do the day two challenge until the following weekend when I have some time.  

Oh, and I'm definitely not a professional: sometimes my nails will be rushed, sometimes messy, sometimes not great.  So please comment, but please be gentle with me!  I'm doing this for fun, not to win prizes!

Join me!