31 Day Challenge: Recreate Someone Elses Challenge Mani

Well... This is the end! My first ever challenge is over! I have really enjoyed it, been inspired, gained 20 or so followers and gained untold amounts of traffic! So worth doing, I encourage any fellow bloggers out there who haven't taken part in a challenge before to go out there and do it! There are plenty around to get involved with including this challenge at a slower pace, starting tomorrow!

This manicure was an obvious choice for me - Heather at Peace, Love and Polish did the most beautiful design for the colour opposites manicure and as soon as I saw it I knew it would be 'the one' hahaha :) In fact all of her nails are amazing so check her out! This was fairly easy to do and would have been even better had I been able to execute it with my right hand on the left nails! I started with three coats of the yellow and once dry I painted some loose, purple bloom shapes in two of the corners with the brush in the bottle. Next I used the light purple to add the centre of the bloom in the same way. Whilst waiting for that to dry I painted on the leaves, also just using the brush in the bottle. Once it was all dry I added the black details using a nail art pen/brush. Voila! I'm not sure I did Heathers' manicure justice but I was pleased with my own efforts :) beautiful design! Thanks Heather! :)

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Yellow
• Barry M - Bright Purple
• Barry M - Berry Icecream
• Barry M - Spring Green
• Models Own Black Nail Art Pen/Brush

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Your Favourite Nail Art Technique

This, along with my favourite colour, changes all the time! But at the moment, since this challenge, my favourite technique of the moment is the splatter! Its so quick and effective and FUN! Well I think it is, but I am a little childish lol! I started with two coats of the grey and left to dry, I then painted the tip of my ballpoint pen barrell with a blob of whichever polish and blew! I chose a neon pink, followed by neon yellow and then an extra neon pink. Really like this one... from a distance it seems to appear gold?! Aren't colours strange?! :)

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Grey
• W7 - Pearlescent Neon Pink
• W7 - Pearlescent Neon Yellow
• Old Ballpoint Pen Barrel

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Inspired By Another Blogger

One of my favourite blogs to check out for inspiration is Boombastic Nails, I love the mani's Vicky creates :) Go take a look! This was a look she did in silver and purple a few days ago... I decided to try it with a blue... It turned out ok but it looks better in the purple I think lol! I painted all but my ring finger in the blue, then the ring finger in silver. Next I added striping tape - horizontally and vertically - in the opposite colours and finished off with a glitter polish which had both blue and silver flecks in (as well as pink haha). I would normally topcoat it but was taking it straight off to try out some new polishes I just bought... Swatches soon - My first ever!! :) This challenge has really got me going again where my nail art is concerned! Do I start another tomorrow??? Arrrgh :o lol!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Silver Foil Effect
• Rimmel - Blue Eyed Girl
• NYC - Lights, Camera, Glitter
• Tiffany Nail Art Striping Tape

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Inspired By Your Favourite Colour

Another difficult one for me! I don't have just one favourite colour! I have a different favourite colour every day depending on my mood and the weather haha :) I looked at my polishes to see what I had most of... PINK followed closely by purple and blue. So pink it is. I was pushed for time and drew a blank no matter how much inspiration I scanned... I simply picked my five favourites a mix of glitter, shimmer and creme and painted three coats of each on individiual nails. Done! Can't believe the end of the challenge is almost here, have to do two tomorrow to catch up just in time for the finale!... I must be mad because I'm considering doing the Jilltastic 28 Day Flip Flop Challenge in Feb now too lol!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Rose Quartz Glitter (thumb)
• Outdoor Girl (found in Poundland) - Pink Shimmer (index)
• Models Own - Northern Lights (middle)
• Boots Natural Collection - Shimmer Pink (ring)
• Barry M - Strawberry Icecream (pinky)

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Inspired By Yourself

This was a difficult one... I am so many things haha! But when I thought about what I am most?.... In Love was the answer :) The feeling I feel most of the time and my favourite feeling in the world is being in love and I am lucky enough to have found my soulmate and be very happy and loved up every day <3 I count my blessings <3 This mani was fairly simple again, just wish I was painting with my right hand because it would be so much neater! Nevermind though, this mani got the point across :) Painted all my nails white and once dry I used a models own nail art pen (but the brush part as the pen just spouts the stuff!) to paint on the heart outline. Next I used my two pinky shades - one creme and one champagne - to fill in the hearts. I tidyed up any stray black lines with the white after. Didn't topcoat as I was straight on to another mani - shame :( lol!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Strawberry Icecream
• Models Own - Mystic Mauve
• Models Own - Black Nail Art Pen
• Boots Natural Collection - Nail Tip Whitener

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Inspired By Your Country

Ok so more apologies are due for my lovely readers... another few days of silence.... Sorry! Finally over the flu and feeling back to myself, still waiting for my nail to grow back on my left hand though hahaha! It's soooo hard to paint these more intricate designs with my left hand!! Another week and I think it'll be grown out enough...
So back to todays mani... Inspired by the United Kingdom! Had loads of ideas for this one but kept it fairly simple due to that dodgy paiting hand lol, this was inspired by teaapots and mugs. Painted all but my index finger white, the index finger red; I then used a dotting tool to add white spots to the red nail. Next I used tape to paint the red and blue stripes on to the pinky and middle nails. Finally, the flags, it was too hard to tape the design on my slim nails so I just hand painted them with a square tip brush for the red and a striper brush for the blue, hence the wobbly lines haha! Liked these though, I think the obvious hand painting adds to this one?! :)

For this look I used:

• Barry M - 3 in 1 Clear Hardener, Basecoat & Topcoat
• Barry M - Blueberry Icecream
• Boots Natural Collection - Nail Tip Whitener
• Avon Nailwear Pro - Red Reveal

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Inspired By Childhood

Wow! Loved this theme... So many designs to choose from :) I had to keep it fairly simple given my kack-handed left hand and it being ummmm.... REALLY LATE.... Love it all the same though! I went for Miffy <3 I adored Miffy books when I was first learning to read! Those and Spot the Dog! Started by painting all nails in a mid blue. I then painted on the rabbit shape in the white with both the brush in the bottle and a small square nail art brush. Once that had dried I outlined the head and body in the black with a striper brush; next I added the cross nose and dot eyes with the same brush. Finally I painted in the body with a pretty yellow - a Miffy favourite! Hahaha :) I hope you think it's cute too and yay I'm up to date now!

For this look I used:

• Rimmel - Blue Eyed Girl
• Boots Natural Collection - Nail Tip Whitener
• Avon Nailwear Pro - Licorice
• Barry M - Yellow
• Small Striper and Square Tip Brush

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Inspired By A Game

I had been so undecided on this one... Until I was sick in my bed and bored! Then came my mobile phone and Angry Birds among other things :) I remembered coming across this idea on Instagram over a year ago and managed to find the pic lurking on my laptop and recreate it! I love it! Was pleased with this after the disappointment of the Nature manicure... Simple too! Started with a clear basecoat; Tipped all but my middle finger in white and then added a red line with the striper brush. Next was the bird... Painted a red dome shape on the middle nail and then added a couple of lines on the top with a striper bush. Once that dried I painted on the white half moon of the tummy with the brush in the polish bottle. Next came the eyes! I started with my largest dotting tool in a black, then a slightly smaller size for the whites of the eyes. Finally a smaller one for the pupils. Finished off with the eyebrows and yellow beak using my striper brush. Aside from drying time it was quick!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - 3 in 1 Clear Hardener, Basecoat & Topcoat
• Barry M - Yellow
• Boots Natural Collection - Nail Tip Whitener
• Avon Nailwear Pro - Red Bombshell
• Avon Nailwear Pro - Licorice
• Large Dotting Tools and Striper Brush

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Inspired By Nature

This was a bit of a fail as far as I'm concerned, I was just too heavy handed with my left hand for this kind of design :( I can't wait for my nail to grow back on my left hand to resume normal service, with my right hand doing the painting! That's weeks away though so got to make the best of it! Started with a base of pale blue, then sponged on a mixture of lilac and hot pink to fit the lovely dusky skies of late... Follwed this up by adding some white/grey clouds with a cotton bud and finally painted on a few birdies with a striper brush and black polish. The idea was nice but I did too much and was too heavy handed... One to try again and improve!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Blue Moon
• Barry M - Berry Icecream
• Barry M - Shocking Pink
• Barry M - Grey
• Avon Nailwear Pro - Licorice
• Boots Natural Collection - Nail Tip Whitener
• Cosmetic Sponge, Cotton Bud and Small Striper Brush

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Inspired By A Fabric

Finally feeling back to normal and capable of some nail painting... Good job because there was lots to catch up on, I was determined to follow it thorough to the end though! Took me ages to decide what fabric to choose as my inspiration! In the end I went for my favourite beach bag - roll on summer!!! Was a simple manicure to do; started with two coats of the white and then stamped on the stripes in a deep blue. I had to double stamp the thumbnail which was a nightmare lol! Third time was lucky! Rather than adding red tips as I had originally thought (given the red band at the top of the bag), I decided on adding hearts as I had seen something similar in a nautical design I really liked a while back. Was quite pleased with the result!

For this look I used:

• Boots Natural Collection - Nail Tip Whitener
• Avon Nailwear Pro - Midnight Blue
• Avon Nailwear Pro - Red Bombshell
• Medium Dotting Tool

MissLanage x

Apologies!

Just wanted to apologise to all who have visited in the last few days and found no new posts... Been a little under the weather :( feeling more human again today lol so will be catching up and posting later!! :)

31 Day Challenge: Merge or Melt

Somehow I have managed to overlook the ombre manicure!! I've tried so many looks and this has not been one of them... I didn't even realise when we did the new technique challenge! So today was the day... I had my sponge at the ready but in fact didn't need it for this particular colour mix. They are both pearlescent neons from the W7 Top Ten Collection and layered over one another very subtly, which meant I could just brush the purple over the pink as normal :) Looks a little more obvious with my naked eye than it seems to in my snaps but nevertheless pretty. I added a little sparkle to finish up!

For this look I used:

• W7 - Pearlescent Purple
• W7 - Pearlescent Pink
• NYC - Gramercy Glitter

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Texture

My first choice for this manicure was Caviar, but I had this new Mua Fur Effect stuff I wanted to try out so I thought this was as good a day as any. It was fairly simple to use... I first painted my nails in a similar colour to the fur I was using, just one coat; I then shook some fluff into the top of their tubs (which took some effort!), painted one nail at a time with topcoat and pressed them into the fluff... I used my fingers to press fluff into any awkward spots, left for a few moments to set and then brushed off the excess. They are pretty furry :) But I don't love the look lol... Probably would have been happier with a Caviar Mani!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - 3 in 1 Clear Hardener, Basecoat & Topcoat
• Barry M - Shocking Pink
• Barry M - Cyan Blue
• Mua Fur Effect Boo Boo Fluff (blue) & Fuzzy Fluff (hot pink)

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Favourite Polish

This was easy - my favourite polish for the last six months has been Models Own Southern Lights, although I own and almost equally love the rest of the Winterland Collection too! I even knew what mani I wanted to do... Inspired by Danielle at Totally Nailed... I had an utter disatster of a day though! Whilst moving furniture, I broke my middle finger nail on my left hand right down to the quick; it hurt so bad and felt so weird I had to put a plaster on! I then had to cut down all the others, they had got so long and lovely :( The nails on my right hand are always shorter because I use my right hand for everything... But for today they are the stars of this show! I used the Southern Lights on its own on my pinky and ring finger, I then used a lilac on the other three nails - couple of coats of each of these. I then topcoated my middle finger and added the rhinestones; and added the Southern Lights in a sort of gradient on the index and thumb.  Pretty pleased with the result but still sad about my breakage... It was also really hard to photograph my right hand!! Or maybe I'm just strange haha!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - 3 in 1 Clear Hardener, Basecoat & Topcoat
• Barry M - Berry Icecream
• Models Own - Southern Lights
• Rhinestones

 

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Oldest Untried Polish

I had five polishes to choose from in this challange, I bought them all on a little spurge I had back in early November! I had 11 bottles in August... I now have close to 80?? Heehee :) I tested a few combinations before deciding on this simple one! The Gosh Galaxy - just two coats all by itself over my clear basecoat. It's a clearish grey/brown colour with very fine blue/pink/silver/gold glitter, but seems to comes through more gold than anything else; this inspired me to add some gold striping tape to finish off the look before topcoating. It's super sparkly!! Was nice to have a quick mani to do for a change! :)

For this look I used:

• Barry M - 3 in 1 Clear Hardener, Basecoat & Topcoat
• GOSH - Galaxy
• Tiffany Gold Striping Tape

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: New Technique To You

For me there is only really 2 left to do on my 'never tried list'... Water Marble which I have tried twice, failed at and avoided lol; and then Sugar Spun which I was a little scared of haha. I was a bit pushed for time, so as much as I wanted to do the former of the two, I went with the latter. Started with a basecoat and then one thick coat of the blue. I then placed a large blob of the purple on my glass dish; I blew on it whilst mixing around with the pointed end of a cuticle stick until it became tacky. I then lifted strings of the tacky polish with the stick and pulled over the surface of the nail time and again until the desired effect was reached. I cleaned up and photographed that look, very happy. I then wanted more!!! So decided to add a shocking pink and repeated the whole process! Now super, super happy :) 2 for the price of 1 folks! Lol!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - 3 in 1 Clear Hardener, Basecoat & Topcoat
• Barry M - Blueberry Icecream
• Barry M - Vivid Purple
• W7 - Neon Pink
• Cuticle Stick

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Colour Opposites

Half way through the challenge already!!! Flying by! Today was colour opposites and out of the choices, yellow and purple is definitely my favourite combination :) Too garish for clothes perhaps, but fab on nails! Fancied an animal print today after looking through so many inspiring designs last night. I already had a white base on my nails so added two coats of yellow. Once that dried I used a black to stamp the leopard print, first time I've stamped it, I usually freehand the design... Was much quicker this way lol! I then dotted some bright purple into the centre of some of the spots. Quite pleased with the end result actually :) What d'ya think???

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Yellow
• Barry M - Bright Purple
• Avon Nailwear Pro - Licorice
• Cheeky Nail Art Plate CH12 from the Vibrant Collection
• Medium Dotting Tool

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Watercolour

Was apprehensive about this one... not sure why?! I think I thought I'd mess 'em up being my first time and all! But... It went ok! Started with a basecoat of peach and topcoated it twice. I then added dots of pale pink and swirled around with my brush dipped in nail polish remover; followed the same process with the purple and then the dark pink... I was quite pleased with the result! But it needed something extra... so I topcoated and popped a little stud on each nail whilst it was still wet :)

For this look I used:

• Barry M - 3 in 1 Clear Hardener, Basecoat & Topcoat
• Barry M - Peach Melba
• Barry M - Bright Pink
• Barry M - Bright Purple
• Barry M - Shocking Pink
• Sally Hansen Nail Polish Remover
• Nail Art Studs

 

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Stamping

Been a while since I did any stamping... My nails have grown so long that my Cheeky plates are just a wee bit too short for my thumbnail... But today I had to give them a go! I did a sort of 'double stamp' which worked fine, really isn't too noticeable so I won't be put off in future! Yay to the challenge! I wanted a pretty floral design and went for pastels, looks lovely to me but it was a nightmare to photograph them! I chose a lilac and lemon combo; two coats of each on alternating nails. I then stamped each nail in the opposite colour... It was the lilac on yellow that wasn't easy to pick up on camera... Wish the pic did them justice but hey ho! We live and learn and I like them!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Berry Icecream
• Models Own - Lemon Meringue
• Cheeky Plate CH14 from the Vibrant Collection

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Cheer Yourself Up Mani'

This was a good theme for me today - I needed cheering up! There are many things that make me smile but Happy Yellow Faces seemed like the right one for me today! It was simple to do and they did cheer me up every time I looked at them! :) Job Done! It took three coats of the yellow to get it as opaque as I wanted... Could have done a white undercoat but chose not to... Once that dried I simply took the black and dotted on some eyes, then used a striper brush to add on a smile!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Yellow
• Avon Nailwear Pro - Licorice
• Boots Natural Collection - Nail Tip Whitener
• Medium Dotting Tool & Small Striping Brush

 

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Tape Mani'

I knew what I wanted to do for this one from the start of the challenge... It's a look I've had in my inspiration folder for months and was actually sooo easy to do! I started with one coat of the black, followed by one coat of the matte finish polish - dried almost instantly and gave a wonderful, smooth finish. I then cut some thin strips of decorators tape as I wanted thicker stripes than my nail art tape could produce. Applied them in a random, bandage like fashion and then painted one coat of the glitter of the top; I then removed the tape immediately... All done! Pretties I think?! :)

For this look I used:

• Avon Nailwear Pro - Liquorice
• Rimmel Pro - Matte Finish Topcoat
• Models Own - Southern Lights
• Decorators Tape

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Splatter

This was another first for me! It's something I've been meaning to do since I bought the W7 Top Ten Collection back in early December. I even mentioned it in the post when I bought them hahaha. At last I had the perfect opportunity and I love it!! Went with a white base for obvious reasons - just one coat; I then used the barrel of an old pen as my blowing instrument lol. Tried a straw but didn't get small enough splatters so thought I'd try the pen, with much better results. I also found it better to use the brush in the polish to paint the tip of the pen, rather than dipping the pen into the polish. Quick blow of each colour on each nail, and Voila! Instant, easy art! I really enjoyed doing this one :)

For this look I used:

• Boots Natural Collection - Nail Tip Whitener
• W7 - Pearlescent Neon Pink
• W7 - Pearlescent Neon Yellow
• W7 - Pearlescent Neon Green
• W7 - Pearlescent Neon Orange
• Old Pen Barrel 

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Geometric

Well I had an utter disaster day yesterday... Both in general and when it came to my mani's! I did one that I loved and smudged it at the last minute; I then tried the same look again and it was awful!!! So at 11.30pm I was starting number three and was a little less than enthusiatic by this point... Hence the post not going up 'til now! Better late than never I suppose... It isn't one of my best but that's no surprise lol! One coat of the white, once dry I taped off half the nail and painted a coat of the blue. I then taped off the triangle at the cuticle and painted silver - had to tidy a little by hand. Finished off with a pretty star shaped rhinestone and a topcoat, took a picture and fell into bed! :)

For this look I used:

• Barry M - 3 in 1 Hardener, Basecoat & Topcoat
• Barry M - Blueberry Icecream
• Barry M - Silver Foil Effect
• Boots Natural Collection - Nail Tip Whitener
• Decorators Tape
• Rhinestones

MissLanage x

31 Day Challenge: Saran Wrap

This is the first time I have ever done a saran wrap mani (that's clingfilm to us brits)! My first attempt was a disaster - I forgot to topcoat my basecolour so when I did the second colour and dabbed - naked spots on my nails! LOL... So the second time around  I did the clear topcoat over the pink base, once dry I painted on a thick-ish coat of the sparkly blue and dabbed with the saran wrap until I had the desired effect. Not quite perfect, but it was my first go... Looking forward to trying this technique out with a range of colours!!!

For this look I used:

• Barry M - Clear Hardener, Basecoat & Topcoat
• Barry M - Shocking Pink
• Barielle - Jillians Jammin'

MissLanage x