Category Archives: Nail Art

Nail Art: Summery Fishtail Braid Nails

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Summery Fishtail Braid Nails Nail Art SwatchesYou’ll remember that a few days ago, I shared a fishtail braid nail-art tutorial with step-by-step instructions and photos. It featured dark colours.

This time, I decided to try Summery Fishtail Braid Nails with a brighter palette.

Originally I wanted to use green, pink, and silver, but I sadly couldn’t find my bottle of China Glaze Millennium! *Sniff sniff* So, I used white instead because it would provide some contrast.

In this post, I’ll show you more photos of this manicure. But, but more importantly, I’ll share some extra tips and tricks that I learned while doing this a second time around so that your attempt will be smooth sailing. 🙂

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Nail Art Tutorial: Fishtail Braid Nails

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Fishtail Braid Nails Nail Art Tutorial & SwatchesFishtail Braid Nails are not only really easy to do, but you don’t need any special nail-art tools, either!

The only thing you’ll need is some patience because you have to layer the polishes. But, if you have patience, you’ll be well-rewarded. 🙂

I was already wearing China Glaze Man Hunt as a manicure, so I decided to choose colours that complemented it. (The theme I was going for was Egyptian.)

Come see my step-by-step fishtail braid nail-art tutorial complete with photos so that you can see just how simple it is to do.

This was my first time doing this design, and now I want to try so many other colour combinations with the same technique – it’s addictive!

I think fishtail braid nails are one of the hottest trends right now. Will you be participating?

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Smorgasbord Sundays: Happy Canada Day! (Plus My Canada Day Manicure)

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Canada Day Cupcake Nails Nail Art PicturesTo my fellow Canadians, I’m wishing you a very Happy Canada Day!

Today, our beautiful country turns 145 years old. (That’s a lot of candles to blow out on the cake, isn’t it?)

I hope that you’re having a lovely Sunday, spending time with family and/or friends.

Do you have a barbecue planned? Going swimming? ‘Tis the season!

Now, you’re probably surprised that I’m showing my nails on a Smorgasbord Sundays post. Usually Sundays on Swatch And Learn are free of nail polish. However I couldn’t resist sharing my Canada Day cupcake manicure with you.

It’s not my best work (actually, it’s very messy because I did it in 30 minutes…haha!), but it’s timely, and I didn’t want to show it to you after the holiday.

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Haul of Shame: Brand New 2012 Bundle Monster 25-Piece Set

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New 2012 Bundle Monster 25 Piece Image Plate Set Review & PicturesNot long ago, I found out that there was a new 2012 Bundle Monster 25-Piece Set, which just dropped!

Well, you can bet your acetone that I leapt onto my computer to place an order.

Stamping image plates are the easy (and fast) way to do amazing nail art. Even if you don’t think you have an artistic bone in your body, trust me – try stamping image plates, and you’ll become a Polish Picasso in no time.

I placed my order on June 19 and received them on June 28. That’s not too bad considering that they were going from Hawaii to Canada. (Heck, if I was in Hawaii, I might just stay there and enjoy the weather and the scenery.) 😉

In this post, I’ll share photos of each plate so you can see all the unique designs offered. Hopefully it better helps you decide whether or not you ‘need’ this set.

Hehe, the second I saw the owl designs, it instantly became a must-have. 😉

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Nail Art Tutorial: British Union Jack Nails

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British Union Jack Nails Nail Art Tutorial & PicturesBritish Union Jack Nails are everywhere, I watched this cycle of America’s Next Top Model (“British Invasion”), and it’s the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. What better time than this to challenge myself with a new freehand nail-art design? 🙂

Indeed, it has been far too long since my last nail-art tutorial. I’m feeling rusty, but I’ll try my best to stop making excuses and to bring you another fun tutorial.

Now, just want to put it out there – these British flag nails aren’t completely accurate. If you want to stay true to the flag, make your horizontal and vertical red lines thicker than the diagonal ones. Also, don’t connect the red diagonal lines to the center like I did.

Despite the inaccuracy, I was very happy with it because it’s very bold and eye-catching. 😉 In fact, the first day I wore this design to work, everyone I spoke with noticed. Plus I didn’t have to explain that it was the British flag – they got it right away. (And it reminds me a bit of Captain America…haha!)

Even if you’re not a Brit (Hey, I’m not! Canadian here!), I urge you to give this a go. It’s fast to paint, you don’t need many colours, and the main design just consists of straight lines.

Come…let me show you how to do it. With written instructions and step-by-step photos, you’ll be recreating Union Jack nail art in no time! 🙂

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Nail Art: Black & Yellow Konadicure (Using China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini & Bundle Monster Image Plate BM-208)

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Yellow & Black Nails Nail Art SwatchesYesterday I flossed China Glaze Yellow Polka Dot Bikini on here, but if you read the post, you knew that I put something on top.

Well, this is what I did! 🙂 Of course, since it’s such an in-your-face, high-contrast manicure, I loved it!

Even though the yellow solo was flashy, I had to put it ‘over the top’ like Steven Tyler kept saying on American Idol this week. 😛

What do you think of this Black & Yellow Konadicure (or…BundleMonstericure)?

Does it make you think of that Black and Yellow song? Or does it remind you of bumblebees who vandalized the beehive? (It reminds me of both.)

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Nail Art: Pink & Black Zebra Nails Using Konad Image Plate m57

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Pink & Black Zebra Nail Art Nail SwatchesYesterday, I shared my thoughts with you on OPI I’m All Ears from the Vintage Minnie Mouse Collection. Although it was like, it wasn’t love.

So, what did I do? I Konaded the *beep* out of it. 😉 Here are Pink & Black Zebra Nails!

I turned to my tried-and-true full-nail Konad image plate m57. The zebra print never lets me down. Even when I’ve used it over a polish I didn’t care for, it turns it into a winning manicure for me that I enjoy wearing.

Haha, maybe it’s a cop-out because I’m sure you all have seen this zebra print a bazillion times. It’s nothing revolutionary now. But, it just goes to show you what a must-have the Konad m57 image plate is! 🙂 If you don’t already have it, get it!

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