Category Archives: Tutorials & Tips

Nail Art Tutorial: Santa Claus Nails

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Santa Claus Nail Art TutorialBack in 2011, I did Santa Nail Art where each nail featured The Big Man in Red’s suit. I really loved that design, and even though I wanted to wear it again, it was time for a challenge. (Click to see my step-by-step tutorial for the Santa Suit Nail Art!)

After seeing The Little Canvas’ cute nails with Kris Kringle’s face, I knew I had to try my hand at this design. Although mine didn’t turn out as well as neatly as hers, I had tons of fun painting this, and it was fun to bring my Santa Claus gang with me everywhere I went! (Thanks to The Little Canvas for the inspiration!)

Haha, I intended the Santas to be smirking or to at least look happy, but I guess my nail striper brush was a bit too thick and I was rushing a little. So, some of my Santas look like they’re being very sarcastic. Haha, can you spot which one drank too much of the spiked elves’ Christmas punch? 😛

Hey, it would be neat to combine this and the santa-suit design in a single manicure. You could even paint Santa’s hat on one nail. That would allow you to paint a whole bunch of different designs.

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Nail Art Tutorial: Snowman Nails

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Snowman Nail Art TutorialIt feels like I haven’t worn faces or eyes on my nails in a long time.

(Taken out of context, that might make some people scratch their heads.)

Although my schedule after work has somehow gotten busier than ever before, I want to make time to do more freehand designs, especially festive ones leading up to Christmas.

Today, I’m showing you easy Snowman Nail Art that only requires a base coat, a top coat, five colours, a dotting tool, and a striping brush.

The nail polishes I used to create the snowman nail art are The Body Shop Colour Crush in Minty Amour, OPI Queen of the Road, OPI Angel with a Leadfoot, OPI Juice Bar Hopping, and OPI This Gown Needs a Crown!

I love sharing these kind of simple designs because it might encourage someone to try their hand at nail art, even if they’ve never done so before. There are a lot of overly complicated designs out there that, while nice to look at, can be intimidating to beginners.

It’s my goal to make nail art that’s easy to replicate because I believe that everyone should enjoy the fun and creativity that it has to offer. I don’t want anyone to feel excluded!

To do this design, you don’t need masterclass skills, but you will need patience. Also, remember that happiness is your goal, not perfection, and you’ll always be a winner. 😉

P.S. Read the bottom of this post for a short story from my childhood about how I once got in trouble for building a snowwoman.

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How to Perform CPR on Nail Polish

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How to Restore NailPolishAll true nailphiles have experienced it.

You’re going through your nail-polish collection, and from the corner of your eye, you see it.

Soldier down!

A poor polish is fighting for its life, barely able to gasp for air as its hoarse voice says, “Help me! It’s not my time yet!”

You cradle it in your arms like you did the first day you brought it to your loving home, reassuring it that things will be okay. But then it passes out!

It looks so dry, as though it’s been to the Sahara Desert!

You break into a nervous sweat. What’s a responsible nailphile to do?

Plenty! Roll up your sleeves, be brave, and let me show you how to perform CPR to save your beloved polish from an untimely death!

P.S. Today is the last day to enter my worldwide giveaway for your chance to win the OPI Don’t Speak 18K Gold Top Coat! (Ends tonight at 11:59 pm EDT.)

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Blog News: My Funky French Nail Art Tutorial on PromCanada.com

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Funky French Nail Art Tutorial SwatchAndLearn PromCanadaIt’s amazing how powerful nail polish is!

Even if you spent a long, crappy day dealing with lazy individuals who seem to make slugs stuck in molasses look as fast as Usain Bolt, the physical act of painting your nails is relaxing.

And even if the nail design is simple or there are imperfections, the wonderful thing is that you feel happy instantly. It’s like colour therapy plus beauty, all rolled into a convenient package!

Give yourself some “me” time, as you relax and paint your nails. You may be surprised at how therapeutic it can be.

I’m very honoured to have had the opportunity to once again showcase a nail-art tutorial on PromCanada.com.

This time, I painted a very simple look featuring just two contrasting colours, Nicole by OPI Oh That’s Just Grape! and Nicole by OPI Teal Me Something New.

It’s ideal for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time doing their nails, but still want something fun and easily customizable.

Go to Prom Canada’s website to see the original article, or keep reading the rest of this post to see my step-by-step tutorial with photos and written instructions.

P.S. In case you haven’t already, enter my worldwide giveaway for your chance to win the OPI Don’t Speak 18K Gold Top Coat! (Ends Friday October 24, 2014 at 11:59 pm EDT.)

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Nail Art Tutorial: Prom Nails

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Prom Nails Nail Art TutorialBack in high school, a large group of my friends and I rented a limo and went to the prom together.

It was a night that I still look back on and smile about because, as corny as it sounds, my experience was like that out of a teen movie. I was really living in the moment, enjoying every second of it!

I got my hair done, did my own makeup, and wore a blue/purple duochrome dress that had a corset top with a large layered, tulle, Cinderella-style bottom. Yes, I felt like a princess!

Interesting thing: Before I went shopping for my prom dress, I actually drew a colourful sketch of my dream prom gown. The very first place I went shopping at with my best friend, I struck gold. Literally, I found a dress that matched my drawing exactly, and it was hung on a hanger that was close to the ceiling of the store! (That never happens, so I knew it was destined to come home with me.) I half expected to see angels floating down and playing harps when I caught sight of it! My dad bought me the gown for my birthday (which was an atypical splurge), and I was ecstatic!

I danced spastic in my crazy high heels that night, slow-danced with the guys, took some photos, and felt so pampered in general. Up until that point, I had never been to such an elegant venue or treated to such attentive service from waiters! It really added to the magical experience, and being able to share it all with close friends made it even more amazing!

It was really amazing to see how great the guys looked! I couldn’t believe how they passed as gentlemen. A guy in a suit or tuxedo instantly makes you forget that just days ago, he was in the school hallway cracking jokes about flatulence! Haha!

Recently, Nicole by OPI teamed up with Prom Canada and invited me to participate in an exclusive nail challenge, which you’ll remember me blogging about yesterday.

(You can still VOTE FOR ME, by going to that Facebook link and clicking “Like” on my manicure photo! Please vote and help me to spread the word! Thank you so much!)

We were asked to choose 3 shades from a pre-selected list of Nicole by OPI nail polishes. I chose Nicole by OPI Dream Maker (shimmery pink), Nicole by OPI Please Red-cycle (creme red), and Nicole by OPI Candy is Dandy (textured pink glitter).

I came up with a look that features a prom couple and some hearts.

Come see my Prom Nail Art Tutorial with step-by-step written instructions and photos to show you how you can achieve the same look!

(If you try it out, please share your manicure with me. I’d love to see your creativity at work!)

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Nail Art Tutorial: Snake Nails

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Snake Nails Nail Art Tutorial & PhotosHello, dear Ssswatch And Learn readersss!

Recently, I was contacted by Nicole by OPI’s PR team and invited to participate in a nail-art challenge.

Using only 2 shades, Nicole by OPI Hit the Lights and Nicole by OPI Spring Break, me and a few other bloggers were asked to create a summer manicure.

I already had the 2 colours from the Nicole by OPI Selena Gomez Collection, so I took the challenge. 🙂 (It’s the first nail competition I’ve ever entered!)

The winner will receive a prize pack as well as a featured spot on the website! The public will vote on their favourites to crown the winner. (When I get the link to the voting page, I’ll be sure to let you all know!) Edit: See the link below to vote now!

Here’s the simple look that I came up with. I’m calling this freehand snake nail art It’sss Sssummer! 😉

I think it’s an appropriate summer manicure because it’s bright, quirky, happy, and fun – characteristics that I associate with the season. It also serves as a reminder to make the most of warm weather…before it slithers away! 😉

Also, I chose to make my snake polite – it kept its tongue inside, thank you very much! Hehe!

It’s a spin-off of my freehand Loch Ness Monster nail art that I did back in 2011.

Edit: Please VOTE FOR ME in this Nicole by OPI Canada Blogger Challenge before July 19, 2013! (Thank you!)

STEP 1: Go to this link. http://ow.ly/mT2Tz
STEP 2: “Like” my snake nail-art photo

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Nail Art Tutorial: Owl Nails

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Nail Art Tutorial Owl NailsIt has been a long time since I did freehand nail art with eyes (hehe), and you know what? I missed it so much! (There’s something really fun about looking at your nails and having them look back at you. Or maybe that’s just me.)

As you know, I’m on Pinterest (it’s so addictive!), and the minute I saw these cute little owls, I knew I had to recreate them on my nails. It was exactly the inspiration I needed to get cracking! Release the Kraken! (Felt like saying that.)

Whether it’s nail art, lunch bags, necklaces, or artwork, I have a thing for owls!

So, for today’s post, I have an Owl Nail Art Tutorial for you with step-by-step written instructions and photos.

Although I used similar colours like in the original design I was inspired by, mine turned out slightly different because of my nail-painting style. Also, I have narrower nail beds. But, this just shows you that you can recreate any look, even if your nails are small. Where there’s a will, there’s a way! 😉

I think it’s important to remember that when recreating a look, it doesn’t have to be an exact replica of the original. It’s fun to keep the general vibe of the design, but to still be comfortable with putting your own spin on it.

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