FingerFood's Theme Buffet: Gradient cartoon nails

Happy Summer Solstice! The sun woke us up around 5 AM today (the downside of living on the eastern side of the time zone), so yeah, it's definitely summer! Make sure to enjoy the sun before the days get short again (don't forget your sunscreen)!

For this week's FingerFood challenge, we did cartoon/comic manis. I knew I had to try out the famous cartoon look--it's one of those classics that every nail artist should do at least once! I made it a little more exciting by starting with a neon gradient using China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy and Orly Tropical Pop. As usual, my camera couldn't really capture the neons accurately, but they are definitely eye-searing in real life!

For the black outline I used a Sally Hansen nail art pen, which was much easier than using a brush, although the paint tends to crack when it dries, so I had to go over some spots several times. I added the "glare" with Maybelline Porcelain Party. Then I mattified everything using Revlon matte topcoat. I'm really happy with how this turned out!

FingerFood's Theme Buffet: Boozy nails

Hey there! This week's FingerFood theme is cocktails! Yummm, I haven't had a good cocktail in a while...anyway. I decided to try to make my nails look like little glasses of fizzy champagne! Although I think they turned out more like light beer. :-D

I started with a base of Revlon Gold Coin and then mixed some Gold Coin with white polish to make the fizz color. I added that with a dotting tool. Very simple!


Check out the rest of this week's manis!

FingerFood's Theme Buffet: Under the sea

Hi! Hope you're having a good weekend! Today I finally managed to get my FingerFood mani for the week done. The theme is under the sea. I decided to do jellyfish! (Apologies for the kinda ragged picture...I was in a rush.)

I started with a black base and used the watercolor method to make a watery background with several shades of blue polish, including Revlon Indigo Night and Plunge Pool, China Glaze Hanging in the Balance, and Sephora by OPI Ocean Love Potion. On top of that, I made white dots for the heads of the jellyfish and dabbed them with a Q-tip dipped in acetone to make them translucent. I added the tentacles and topped everything off with a coat of L'Oreal Miss Pixie, a blue jelly.

See ya tomorrow!

FingerFood's Theme Buffet / Neverending Pile Challenge: Snakeskin stamp from MoYou

Happy Memorial Day! Let's all take a minute today to wish for an end to all violence!

Today I combined two challenges again: FingerFood's Theme Buffet prompt nature and The Neverending Pile Challenge theme untried stamping plate. I bought MoYou's Pro Collection 03 plate a long time ago and somehow never used it! It's full of animal prints, seashells and other outdoorsy things.

I decided to use the snakeskin stamp alongside two untried polishes: Nails Inc. Bruton Mews (a very dark green creme) and Essie Penny Talk, a copper chrome. Penny Talk works great for stamping, as you can see!

I couldn't quite get the stamp to cover the length of my nails (partly due to my stamper--I don't have one of the super squishy ones) but I guess it looks a little grunge that way! I do think this stamp is totally badass. :-D

Total untrieds tried: 48 + chevron decals + 1 stamping plate

FingerFood's Theme Buffet: Yet another galaxy mani

Good morning! For this week's FingerFood's Theme Buffet we're doing galaxies. I think this is my third attempt at a galaxy mani. My previous efforts were mediocre; I think this one is the best I've managed so far.

I'm actually most proud of the fact that my star placement is pretty random--I really have to struggle not to make everything symmetric! I used Zoya Storm for the base (because really, how could I not?) and Maybelline Porcelain Party, Color Club Age of Aquarius, Julep Bea and Revlon Passionate Pink for the rest.

This mani reminds me--have you been watching Cosmos? I think it's great to have some real science on TV again, since all the "educational" channels have switched to reality shows now. I think the show does a great job communicating the mindblowing-ness of nature! If you like it, you should definitely read some of Carl Sagan's books--he was an all-around amazing human being.

FingerFood's Theme Buffet / Neverending Pile Challenge: Flowers for Scarlett

Happy Monday! It feels like summer around here--need to break out the shorts and start painting my toenails!

Today I combined the Neverending Pile Challenge theme texture and the FingerFood's Theme Buffet prompt for Scarlett (Scarlett is Sam @ FingerFood's daughter, and her birthday is this week!). Scarlett likes flowers, so I decided to do some colorful textured blossoms--perfect for May!

This mani was very easy to do! I started with a base of Color Club Age of Aquarius, then used a dotting tool to make concentric circles of dots, starting with large circles of JulieG Hot Cinnamon (an untried), then smaller circles of JulieG Sugar Rush (also untried) and finally dots of JulieG Tangerine Dream in the middle. I think the end result is really fun and kind of retro-looking, don't you?

Total untrieds tried: 34


 

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #18: Thai motif

Hey all! I have a job interview tomorrow!! It's only for a temporary job, but money is money, right?? I have to decide what to wear on my nails...

Anyway, this week's FingerFood's Theme Buffet prompt is Oriental. I have always been in love with Thai art and architecture, since it seems to be such an interesting mix of South and East Asian influences. So I Googled for some Thai art motifs and picked a (simplified) one to do on my nails.

I still need more practice freehanding (and maybe an even tinier brush!) but I had a lot of fun doing this mani! I used Deborah Lippmann Just Walk Away Renee, Maybelline Bold Gold and Revlon Red Carpet.

FingerFood's Theme Buffet / Neverending Pile Challenge: A cloud of untrieds

Happy Friday! I'm doing yet another multi-challenge post today! This week's FingerFood's Theme Buffet prompt is something new, and the Neverending Pile Challenge theme is use as many untrieds in one mani as you can. Well, I didn't go crazy trying to cram a million polishes into one mani, but I did manage to knock six polishes off my untried pile!

To satisfy the something new prompt, I decided to try a technique I had never used before: the cloud mani. This kind of nail art, like the fishtail I did recently, seems simple on the surface but requires a decent amount of motor control. Mine isn't perfect, but I really like how it looks! (Pardon the glare in the photo...it's the bane of my existence.)

On three nails, I used Zoya Dove, Zoya Wednesday and Essie Mind Your Mittens. On my accent nail I used Julep Eden, Sephora by OPI Break a Leg Warmer! and Julep Evelyn. I love the combo of greys with all sorts of colors!

Total untrieds tried: 28

FingerFood's Theme Buffet / Neverending Pile Challenge: Boutique gothic

Hi folks! It's time once again for a challenge double-up! FingerFood's theme this week is gothic, and the Neverending Pile Challenge for today is boutique. I had to check what counts as boutique polish--apparently it's an indie company that produces its polish in a lab rather than by hand-mixing (so like A England, Rescue Beauty, etc.). I actually own four A Englands and I've never worn any of them, even though they're gorgeous, so I grabbed two of them for today's mani!

I started with a base of A England Beauty Never Fails and did some freehand gothic-style vines using Sleeping Palace. The pattern turned out more subtle than I would have liked, but it kinda reminds me of a man's waistcoat fabric from a period movie. Anyone else see it?

Total untrieds tried: 17

FingerFood's Theme Buffet / Neverending Pile Challenge: Indie holo fishtail

TGIF everyone! I'm knocking out two challenges at once again with today's mani. This week's FingerFood's Theme Buffet prompt is fishtail, and the Neverending Pile Challenge theme is indie. Sooo I did an indie fishtail!

I chose three scattered holographic polishes: Different Dimension Ditz (pink) and Homeboy (blue) and Ellagee Like a Sleepy Blue Ocean (teal). I wish I hadn't had to use two similar shades of blue, but I don't actually have many untried indies that would work here! (Someone buy me some more indies!)

This is my first attempt at a fishtail mani, and let me tell you, I have a newfound admiration for people who can do fishtails with perfectly straight and consistent lines...it's not easy!

I think for my first try, this turned out decent. From a distance it looks nice at least! The polish at my tips is so thick I don't think it's ever going to dry...

Total # untrieds tried: 14 

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #14 / Neverending Pile Challenge: Jelly beans

Ahoy! Today the planets have aligned to let me complete two challenges with one manicure! The FingerFood's Theme Buffet prompt for this week is delicious, and the Neverending Pile Challenge prompt is pastel. What's pastel and delicious? JELLY BEANS!

I'm a huge Jelly Belly fan. When I was a kid I belonged to the Jelly Belly fan club and got to try experimental and limited edition flavors. They're still my favorite Easter candy (well, I buy them after Easter when they're on sale!). My favorite flavors are probably root beer and juicy pear!

This was a very simple mani. I started with a base of Sally Hansen Petal Pusher (I needed three coats and it bubbled on me, boooo). Then I painted the jelly beans with a small dotting tool using Julep Minnie, Parker, Bea, Courteney and Alice, plus Zoya Blu. I finished with Revlon matte topcoat!

I managed to knock five untried polishes off the list with this mani (all but Parker and Blu)! This brings my total no-longer-untried count to six for the Neverending Pile Challenge! I'm gonna be keeping count for the whole challenge! (Remember, I started with close to 200 untrieds, so I still have a long way to go...)

What's your favorite Jelly Belly flavor?

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #13: Monochrome

Hi guys! I'm really feeling spring here today--it's 50 degrees and sunny! T-shirt weather is coming soon, I just know it...

FingerFood's Theme Buffet has been going so well that after we finished all the original prompts, we came up with a whole new set so everyone could keep going! If you want to join in, just join our Facebook group!

This week's theme is monochrome, from the Greek meaning "one color". Having to stick to just one basic color is a good excuse to play with different finishes! I decided to try doing a gradient of a holographic and a creme polish. I've never done this before, but I love how it turned out--really subtle and elegant I think!

The polishes I used are Layla Jade Groove and Revlon Eclectic. Here's a sunlight shot for some more holo sparkle!

Have you seen any other gradient manis using the same color in different finishes? Leave 'em in the comments!

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #12 / He Picks My Polish

Wow, I've made it through twelve weeks of FingerFood's Theme Buffet! We're starting another set of prompts next week, so if you'd like to join in, here's our Facebook group!

This week's theme is Freestyle, which was perfect because I also wanted to participate in the He Picks My Polish challenge for March. (Facebook group here!) For this challenge, you ask a male in your life to pick any three polishes from your stash. No helping! Then you have to do nail art using only those polishes (and any neutrals if needed).

Mr. ALIQUID was skeptical at first, but he came up with an idea and went for it. I should have known that he would pick the colors that match his favorite comic book character, Jean Grey:

(I tried to tell him that Jean Grey's hair isn't actually cherry red, but oh well.) The polishes he picked were Color Club Endless Summer, Revlon Red Carpet and OPI The "It" Color. Then it was my turn!

I decided to try water marbling again, since I've only done it once before. I started with a white base and did a marble with the three colors, using clear polish in between each to let the white show through. I did two passes on each nail to get that cool layering effect!

I confess I have no idea how people manage to get such precise patterns using water marbling; I can't seem to get anything more than random swoops. But in this case I think it looks cool, like tie-dye or some abstract art!

As a matter of fact, my final mani was actually my second attempt. The first time, I tried using the yellow as a base, and it didn't work out so well. Here, I'll show you:

I'm very glad I did it over again!


Below you can check out the other FingerFood manis as well as the He Picks My Polish manis!

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #11: St. Patrick's Day

OK, I realize St. Patrick's Day was two days ago. But I was nonstop busy mixing polish and filling bottles to get my blogger samples shipped out! I didn't even have any polish on my nails for two days! Soooo I did my St. Patrick's Day mani today. I'm only 1/8 Irish and I don't like beer, so the holiday isn't that exciting for me. But I do like green!

For three of my nails I used China Glaze Four Leaf Clover topped with Indigo Bananas Lucky Strike (two very apropos names!), and for my accent nail I used Zoya Ziv with Four Leaf Clover for the shamrock. To do the shamrock, I just made four large dots and dragged a toothpick through each.

Did you celebrate the holiday this week? Green milkshakes maybe?


Check out the rest of this week's St. Paddy's Day manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #10: Dots and stripes

Finally posting this week! I've been working really hard on my next polish collection (and posting previews on my Facebook page) and I think you guys are really going to like it!

Today I got around to this week's FingerFood challenge. The theme this week is dots and stripes. I cheated slightly by making my dots into stripes!

I love this mani because it's pretty minimalist in terms of color, but still interesting to look at. I started with a gradient of Zoya Bevin and Julep Roc Solid, then mattified it with Revlon matte top coat. Finally I added alternating lines of dots using the same two polishes. In real life the dots fade even more into the ends of the gradient and it looks really cool!

Check out the rest of this week's manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #9: flowers

Wow, I'm really late on this week's FingerFood challenge! I totally have a good excuse though...I've been working hard on my next polish collection! Look for it in a couple weeks! (My labels take forever to ship, grrr....)

Anyway, this week's theme is flowers. I decided to go with a sort of Gothic rose idea. Kind of Beauty-and-the-Beast-like.

I haven't done very many freehand floral designs, so I'm pretty happy with how this came out! The base color is one of mine from the upcoming collection--how sneaky of me! I used Color Club Wild Cactus and China Glaze Four Leaf Clover for the vines and leaves, and Zoya Carmen and Nails Inc. Richmond Terrace for the the flowers. I topped it all off with Revlon's matte topcoat.

Check out all the other lovely floral manis!

An InLinkz Link-up

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #8: Cute

Hey all! I can't believe we're eight weeks into FingerFood's Theme Buffet challenge already! Where did the time go??

This week's theme is "cute", and as everyone knows, the cutest thing in the universe is a pile of puppies. So here's my doggie manicure!

Hee hee, this makes me smile every time I look at it! I like how the dog on the far right looks kind of skeptical. I started with a base of Zoya Sweet, then added the dog heads, spots and ears with Revlon Stiletto, Sinful Colors Snow Me White, Revlon Stormy Night, Julep Otte and Sephora by OPI Leotard Optional. I added a layer of Revlon Matte topcoat and did the eyes and noses afterwards so they kept a little shine.

I asked Trudy if she approved of my mani, but she was still recovering from her busy day yesterday (busy =  going for a walk):

An InLinkz Link-up

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #7: Abstract

Hey all, it's time once again for FingerFood's Theme Buffet! This week's theme is abstract nail art. I decided to make a second try at one-stroke art; I based my pattern on this golden veil design by Lucy's Stash. I'm not sure if I like the result--I had a hard time getting the colors to blend properly.

I started with a base of Indigo Bananas Wise Up, Janet!, a lovely lavender holographic glass fleck. I did the one-stroke parts with acrylic paint. Finally I added Revlon matte top coat.

I need to keep practicing one-stroke art! There are so many beautiful designs you can do with it (many at Lucy's Stash!).

An InLinkz Link-up

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #6: Hearts

Hey all! This week's theme for FingerFood's Theme Buffet is, appropriately, hearts! I'm really excited about this mani because I tried making stamping decals for the first time and I was pretty successful at it!

If you haven't heard of stamping decals before, there are several methods, but basically they involve using a regular stamper to make a sheet of clear polish with a stamped pattern on it that you can attach to your nail. They avoid some of the difficulties involved with stamping, like getting the stamp to line up the way you want on your nail. I followed this tutorial from heartNAT!

Here's my mani (I'm using my right hand because this decal came out a little better):

I think it turned out really cute! For my accent nail, I started with a black base (Revlon Stiletto) then created my stamping decal with Winstonia plate W102. Here's a shot of my stamper with the decal drying on it:

I used Julep Harley (the silver) for the stamping itself, then colored in the empty hearts with China Glaze Neon Flying Dragon and Zoya Amy. (It's OK if some of your coloring gets on top of the stamped outline, since this side of the decal will end up face-down on your nail.) Then I added a coat of Zoya Armor and let it dry for an hour. Finally I peeled off the decal (carefully!) with tweezers and stuck it down on my nail--wipe some acetone around the edges of your nail with a brush and that will help the decal stay in place until you topcoat it.

The only trouble I had using the decals was getting them to smooth out completely on my nail, and I got some bubbling. (I wonder if it would be better to stick them to a wet nail instead of a dry one?) It's also a very slow process unless you have multiple stampers available, so unless you're just doing accent nails, you might want to make the decals the day before you do your mani. Definitely give it a try though--the results are worth it!

Don't forget to check out the other lovely manis for this week's theme!

FingerFood's Theme Buffet #5: Party time!

It's Sunday, and that means it's time for FingerFood's Theme Buffet! This week's theme is birthdays and celebrations. I was a bit short on inspiration this week, but I ended up trying to reproduce the shaggy texture and fun colors of a pinata.

I just used a small nail art brush to paint on little irregular streaks of polish. I started at the tip of each nail so each color would be layered over the one below it. Here are the polishes I used: China Glaze Aquadelic, Julep Nina, Sinful Colors Snow Me White, Color Club Twiggie, Zoya Ali (the closest Zoya's gotten to my name!) and Sally Hansen Lightening.

Don't forget to follow our Pinterest board to see all the challenge manis so far!