Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery......

Or in this case "recreation."  Latest challenge was do a recreation of a mani, nail art, etc.  Hiya Pinterest!!  Being a lover of all things 80, I knew I just had to do a splatter mani.  This is the one I decided to try and recreate.  

Taken from Pinterest

Totally 80s right?  Cool beans!  I made one change from the Pinterest pin that was the inspiration - I made a decal instead of doing it right on my nails.  I find this really messy and don't have some liquid latex barrier, yet.  

Decals, you say.  WTH is that?  Basically its your nail art that is applied to some kind of surface first, then transferred to your nails.  This is how I did mine.  I applied white polish as my base.  I painted a rectangle of the white polish on a silicone baking mat that I took over for my nails.  After the white was put down, I dipped a straw into the teal polish and blew it onto the white polish to create a splatter.  Then I used the lime green color in same fashion.  After that, I needed a little sparkle so I splattered on some teal glitter polish.  Looooove.  This is what it looks like before I put on my nails.

Makin' decals Feb 2 2017

Next step, peel the decal from the silicone mat.   Cut to size of your nails.  Put a clear coat on your nails, then put the decal you cut for that finger on.  Position as closely as you can.  Trim any excess and clean up around edges.  Add a top coat and you are done!!!

I admit, that this was a little more difficult to look crisp and clean on my nails.  But with any nail art, practice, practice, practice.  Here is my final product:

Recreation splatter nails Feb 2 2017

I can't wait to try this one again!  It reminds me of my younger days in the 80s.  

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day!  Like totally!

Mel

Products used:

Energy Source (white) by LA Colors, Paradise Water and Waterproof by Broadway, Innocent by Sinful Colors and Broadway clear coat.

GLITTER, GLITTER, GLITTER.... AND MORE GLITTER!

My love of all things sparkly is really an addiction.  I used to scrapbook and paper craft and just about anything I made had a touch of bling, sparkle, glitter.   You get the jist.  So when I started doing my nails, of course, glitter/sparkle/bling was a must!!!  Thank the glitter gods for making me not sell or get rid of all my glitter.  I just knew I was going to use them one day.  TODAY IS THAT DAY!!!

Ok, Mel.  Chill out, it's just glitter.  Noooooo! Its more than that.

For my next mani, I did a glitter gel mani.  Used my usual Gelish system, (click here for my post on Gelish system), with a little sparkle.  I added some glitter (glitter powder, raw glitter) to my Gelish structure gel, then used this between the foundation and top coat.  The glitter was in my craft box.  I remember purchasing at Christmas time about 5 years ago from Hobby Lobby for 50% off.    

Before you pull out any old glitter, know that some glitters will turn fade.  I tested this glitter with a drop of gel before mixing any more.  No fade.  When I was getting my nails professionally done, this was my regular mani.  

Here is my glitter mani:

Glitter add on gel mani 02/02/2017

The picture does it noooo justice.  I can't stop looking at it.  In the sunlight, it sparkles like crazy.  

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day.  

Mel

PS. I will be posting these pics on InstaGram.  Follow me @1000littlesparkles!  
PSS.  Leave me a comment.  Let me know how I am doing on my blog.  Anything you want to see, let me know.

I Heart You!

Valentine's Day is in the next couple of days.  Hubby and I don't exchange gifts, we just spend the day with each other and go for a nice dinner.  With Valentine's being on a Tuesday, we have decided to do our Valentine's Day on Sunday, February 12.  Our outing will be at the Outback in a neighboring town.  Pssst, I picked Outback because they have a better Sally's and Ulta there.  I may just have to stop in to browse.  {wink, wink}

These nails are for Red Polish challenge for week of 02/05 - 02/12:  Hearts.  I suck at free hand drawing.  My stick figures don't look like sticks!  Bahahahaha.  I decided to use a vinyl stencil that I have in my drawer.  I don't even remember how long I had it or where I bought it.  I knew my base color would be red so I decided to do the hearts in white.  I made little heart decals.  Made it so much easier!

I applied a peel off base on my gel nails, in the hopes that I don't get any red residue under my gel top coat.  After letting that dry, I applied two coats of my red color.  Then I applied the white heart decals.  I kinda did them off centered because I can't place anything straight to save my soul.  To finish it off, I put on a glitter top coat.  Here is my final product:

red polish w/hearts 02/11/2017

I did alot better with clean up on this one.  But red, ugh, is hard for me to clean well.  

I hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day or Single's Day or whatever you decide to celebrate.

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day!

Mel

Products used:

Big Peel Off base coat by Sally Hansen, Bloody Lips by Broadway, Energy Source by LA Colors, Evening Dress by Broadway

I sparkle!

Here is my 30 Days of Color challenge for the week of Feb 6 - Feb 12...... The theme is SPARKLE!!!!   Squeeeeeel!

I wanted to use some raw glitter that I had, but the choices!!  Almost did a gumbo glitter - just a pinch of everything!  Maybe next time.  

This is what I decided on:

Champagne Glass 02/11/2017

Champagne Glass 02/11/2017

Champagne Glass 02/11/2017

First, I brushed on some Big Peel Off Base from Sally Hansen.  Then, you have to wait for the milky white base to become transparent before starting.  I suggest anytime you use glitter polish or raw glitter, you put on a peel off base coat, because glitter is a biatch to remove.  

Big Peel Off 02/11/2017

Once the peel off base was transparent, I did a layer of top coat on one finger at a time and dipped the wet finger into the glitter.  I used a cuticle pusher to clean the edges and kinda pat down the chunky glitter.  Once I got it somewhat how I wanted it, I put on another layer of top coat.  While this top coat was wet, I looked for any bare spots and added a little glitter to any of those spots.  After patting down again, I put on a final layer of top coat.  

I love the look of how it came out, but this wouldn't be practical for my everyday use.  Too chunky and I would catch it on everything.  If I were to wear this everyday, I would have to do a gel top coat to try and smooth it out.  

And not only did I get sparkly nails, but the satisfaction of peeling it off after it dried..... peel porn!!

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day!

Mel

Products used:
Big Peel Off base by Sally Hansen, Top Coat by Broadway, Champagne glass glitter by Stampin' Up!

Blue French tips, glitter and jewels! Oh My!!

Another challenge:  use jewels (30 days of color challenge, week of Jan 23).  Squeeeeel!  I love bling and all things shiny.  Here is the finished product:

Jan 28 2017

Yes, I was stumped on how to use jewels.  I went to my trusty Pinterest for inspiration.  I saw a white French tip manicure with jewels.  So, I put a little spin on it to make it mine.  

I didn't want a traditional white tip.  Hmmm..... choices.  I decided on this light, bright blue.  Now, do I freehand the tip or use the handy dandy sticker guides.  Of course, easy way!   I am painting over my Gelish manicure with top coat. I used Kiss brand guide stickers that I purchased from Dollar General.   I placed the stickers, to what I perceived to be aligned.  Then I painted two coats of I Believe in Manicures from the Breakfast at Tiffany's Winter collection from OPI.  Its a beautiful creamy blue!!  While the second coat was just painted and still wet, I dipped my wet fingers in some blue iridescent loose glitter.  I tapped my fingers a little to get any excess off, then put on a clear top coat.  While the clear coat was still wet, I put on my jewels.  I used Sally Hansen's I Heart Nail Art Studs.  I has 3 vials of studs - black rhinestones, clear rhinestones and gold square studs.  I put the tiniest amount of clear coat on the tip of an orange stick to pick up and place the jewels on my nails.  I pushed down a little to make sure they are embedded and won't come off.  

I really, really liked the way this look turned out.  I was so happy and giddy that I had to show everyone and got positive feedback!!  Its the little things that make me happy.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have an awesome day!!

Mel

Products used:

French manicure guide stickers by Bliss, I Believe in Manicures by OPI, Amy's Magic Ultra fine Glitter in Scuba Blue, Clear top coat by Broadway.

  

Gel nails are perfect for me!

In my previous posts, I commented that I used the Gelish system.  In case you were wondering about Gelish, this post is going to be all about Gelish.

Now remember, I am a DIY nail person - no formal training, just watching a lot of youtube and paying attention in some great nail groups on Facebook.  I decided against acrylics because it looked waaaaay too hard.  So, I then researched gels.  When I was getting my nails done, my tech used IBD.  I found that a little too expensive for my budget.  I finally settled on Gelish because of their price and the ease of application (based on reviews).  This also meant that I must also purchase a curing lamp.  So that meant more research.  This is what I bought thru Amazon:

Perfect Summer Professional 36W UV LED Light Nail Dryer Curing Lamp for Gel Nail Polish ( Elegant Pink) 

NEW Gelish Complete Basix Gel Nail Polish Starter Kit Package - Base Top Remove 

This is everything you need to get started, well except for a color polish.  That was fine with me because I like to keep my nails clear and used color on top.

Here is my application and it works for me, but may need to be tweeked for someone else.

1. Apply cuticle remover.  At the moment, I use Sally Hansen Gel Cuticle Remover (purchased at Walgreens.)  Push back cuticles with either metal pusher or orange stick.  Also, push your nail to get some new nail growth removed.
2. Wash hands with warm, soapy water.  Dry.  
3. Use alcohol and a lint free wipe to wipe down nails or use Gelish Cleanse.  I use alcohol prep wipes that is used before getting injections.  I purchased a box of 200 at Walgreens for like $4.
4. Shape nails with a file.  Also, lightly roughen entire nail, especially the sidewalls and new growth on nail bed.  
5. Use alcohol to cleanse.
6. From here, I deal with one hand.  Complete the rest of the steps on one hand.  
7. Apply pH bond to each finger, making sure that the entire nail is covered.
8. Apply pH bond to thumb.  Then apply Gelish Foundation to thumb.  Make sure to cap the free edge.  Cure in lamp according to your lamp.  
9. Repeat step 8 with other fingers.
10. Apply Gelish Top it Off to each finger.  Make sure to cap the free edge.  Cure in lamp according to your lamp.
11. Top it Off has a tacky finish when cured.  Use alcohol lint free wipe or Gelish Cleanse to remove tacky finish.
12. Repeat steps 7 - 11 to other hand.
13. Apply Gelish Nourish or any cuticle oil to all fingers.

And, here is your Gelish clear manicure!  

Jan 23 2017 Right Hand

Jan 23 2017 Left Hand

Since using Gelish, my real nails have grown and are becoming stronger.  Just remember, DO NOT PEEL OFF THE GEL when you are ready for removal.  Soak a cotton ball in pure acetone and apply to finger.  Wrap in aluminum foil.  Leave for about 15 min.  Gel will either be going or easily removed with a cuticle pusher.  Plus, dont forget to moisturize and oil your nails every day.  If you can remember, do it more than once a day.  

Now, when I want to add color, I just polish over the top coat.  When removing the polish, use non-acetone remover and it will not harm the gel top coat.

I know I need improvement on application and clean up.  I get the gel too close to the cuticle and side walls.  I know with more practice, I will get it down.  Practice makes perfect, or in my case, practice makes a lot better.

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have an awesome day!

Mel

Outta this world nails....

Like, literally!  My first attempt at any kind of nail art was to try galaxy nails.  This is what it is supposed to look like:  PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE IMAGES WERE TAKEN FROM GOOGLE IMAGES.

GOOGLE I MAGES

GOOGLE IMAGES

The galaxy nails I was doing was for a challenge on Nail Art and Contests Chat group on FaceBook.  My first challenge.....  What was I thinking??  Was I thinking at all?  I was no where near ready for this.  Oh, I will just show you.

Jan 19 2017 Practice art for galaxy nails

The above pic is my practice set on a color wheel.  Loved, looooooved the way it turned out on the practice set.  So it should go just as well on my actual nails, right?  I think I was expecting too much.  :(

Jan 19 2017 My first attempt at galaxy nails.

This pic shows the final product of doing the galaxy nails on myself.  I know where my mistakes are - need better cleanup, need smaller white dots, maybe use different colors.  I am so over critical of myself.  

I like the challenges because it makes me focus on one technique, instead of me being all over the place.  Plus, I love to learn new things, especially with nails, as I am so new at all of this!

Thanks for stopping by and have an awesome day!

MEL

PRODUCTS USED:
LBD by Whim, Ascending Celine by Broadway, Energy Source by LA Colors, Rock Bottom by Sally Hansen, Take a Right on Bourbon by OPI and Eat Pink Be Merry by China Glaze

Are you tippin' kiddin' me?!?!?!?!

Next up on my new journey was tips.  Ugh.... tips.  My poor Cindy (as in Cinderella, you know, the one that does all the work) hand had nubs.  I mean, nubs.  LOL!  I got cocky with my Gelish application and thought, "Hey, tips can't be that hard!"  Hahahahahaha!  I was wrong.  I decided to just try my thumb, since it was the most pitiful looking nub on that hand.

On my weekly trip to Sally's Beauty, I picked up Cosmo Natural tips from Terrific Tips, Quick Dry Nail Glue from Beauty Secrets, and a Tip Clipper from Terrific Tips.   (You can click on links to see products.)  I got home and selected the appropriate nail tip for my thumb.   Applied the glue to the tip then applied the tip to my nail.  It looked great and was easy peasy lemon squeasy.  I applied my Gelish routine and even added a layer of structure gel between the foundation and top coat so the tip wouldn't look so thick.  I was pretty proud that it came out so well.   OR SO I THOUGHT.  At this time, I had an awful 25 watt lamp for light.  It was horrible.  I switched out desk lamps with my hubby on his drawing desk.  And took a look at that poor, awful thumb.  It was horrible.  The tip didn't fit correctly.  It was 10 kinds of janky!  Here, see for yourself:

Jan  1 2017 First tip try

Jan 1 2017 First tip try

I kept it like this for about a week.  I wanted to see how secure the nail glue and tip were going to be on my nail.  As of today (02/07/2017), I have not tried to apply tips any further.  But I must overcome my fears and do a full set of tips as I had to cut my nails.  Hopefully, with my new light and a ton of You Tube video tuts, the next trial will be bounds and leaps better.  WISH ME LUCK!!

Thanks for stopping by and hope you have an awesome day!!

Mel

FRANKEN HAND!!! {cue the spooky music and a bone chilling scream}

FRANKEN HAND!!!  Yep you read that right, that's what I call this little experiment.

After my success with the easiness in doing one finger with Gelish, I got cocky.  I did all the rest of the fingers on my left hand with Gelish.  Came out just as great as my little pointer nail.  Whole left had is smooth and looks great.  Go me! Go me! Go me!

Now, I need color!! hmmm..... This one could be tricky.  I don't have the best polishes, mostly from Dollar General or Walmart.  Nothing expensive, nothing glamorous.  But did I mention, most are OLD!  I mean a year or more, old!

After researching that you can use regular polish with the Gelish application, I was excited.   Option A - Put on color after curing foundation (This could be either gel polish or regular polish.  If it it gel polish, you have to cure each layer of gel polish.  Will go over this in a separate post).  Make sure polish is completely dry then apply top coat and cure.  My experiment was to find out which last longer, looked better, worked the best.

Thumbnail:  The polish I used was Natural Bronze by Broadway Nails, purchased for $1 at Dollar General.  Its a gold shimmer that is very high shine.  Two thin coats, making sure to cap the edge.  Gelish cured top coat.

Dec 28 2016

Jan 6 2017

Middle finger:  The polish I used was a pale purple.  I don't know the name of the company but I remember buying it at KMart some years ago.  This was a creme and used two coats, capping the edge.  Gelish cured top coat.

Dec 28 2016

Jan 6 2017

Pinky finger:  I used Dutchess from the Fergie collection from Wet N Wild.  I know I bought the collection from Wal Mart a few Christmases ago.  I love anything sparkly and glitter is always a must.  This is two layers with the Gelish cured top coat.

Dec 28 2016

Jan 6 2017

Ring finger:  Well, this little finger didn't go exactly as planned.  First image, I used Pizzazz from the Holiday Joy collection from China Glaze.  I don't remember when or where I purchased this little multi-colored glitter gem!  I sponged on the polish to make the glitter more saturated.  I did two spongings and then used Gelish cured top coat.  When I was taking the stickiness off of the top coat, the most of the glitter just wiped right off.  Major fail!!  I left it on the way it was for a few days.  

Dec 28 2016

In the meantime, I started browsing my local Sally Beauty.  I wanted a Gelish Gel polish that I could use for my little experiment.  I purchased Glamour Queen from Gelish.  The color is a light brown/taupe/beige-y color with shimmer.  This is with two thin coats, topped by Gelish Top it Off cured.

Jan 1 2017

Jan 6 2017

Results of my FRANKEN HAND experiment:  All of the polishes I used did the trick and lasted for at least one week; with the exception of the heavily glittered polish.  I am about 99.999999% sure that if I would have left them on longer than a week, it would still have looked great!

Note to self:  Things I need to work on - photo taking and editing - cleaning edges and nail care.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have an awesome day!   

Mel  
@1000littlesparkles on IG

Reasons for the journey

I have always loved doing my nails.  I guess it started when I  was  a teenager in the mid eighties to early nineties.  Who could resist neon, day-glo nails, right?  At that point, it was all home polishing.  Sometime in the nineties, my ex-sister in law introduced me to acrylic nails.  She was the first person to take me to a nail salon.  At this time, it was the powder acrylic stuff.  I didn’t mind.  I loved how my nails were so pretty, shiny and hard.  And fell in love with the French tip manicure. 

Fast forward a few years, and I discover gel manicures!  OMG!!  Love, love, love.  I was very regular in getting my square oval, French manicure gel nails done every two weeks.  The nail tech was the sister of a good friend of mine.  So I felt very comfortable.  

I went religiously for years, until my health got in the way. I was diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH is an autoimmune disease where my body attacks my liver instead of foreign germs or viruses.)  I was put on high dose steroids and immunosuppressive drugs.  Well, these drugs played with my body and made my nails start rejecting the gel and making my nails itchy and red (like an allergic reaction.)  I was devastated.  I loooved my nails.  I got my tech to soak off the nails and just left them au natural.   

At one point in the last year, I tried to go have them done and was just scared to death.  First, the nail place used a drill.  I would wince when he/she got close to the sides of my nails.  I have to be very careful about sores, knicks, bleeding, etc, because I get infections so easily.  I even asked for the regular file and it would still make me nervous.  The gel did not make me itchy or red, so I guess that was one thing in my favor.   

I have an obsession with nail art, nail polish and everything nails.  I figured that I can try and do this at home.  So being the over obsessed that I am, I took to FaceBook, YouTube, Pinterest and Google to find out about doing them from my home. 

I researched nail lamps, gel systems and polishes.  But keeping in mind of the amount of money I had in the budget to make this happen.  LED, UV, Gelish, IBD, acrylic, gel, which polishes cure with LED, chrome nails, holo…… aaaaackkk.  Terms and names all swirling around in my head.  Many nights when I couldn’t sleep (steroid insomnia), I would plug in my earbuds and just search away.   

So I finally took the step and went on Amazon to check prices.  I first looked at UV/LED lamps.  Certain gels only cured with UV light and certain only cured with LED.  Really, more decisions???  I looked for a week and finally made my decision.  I read reviews everywhere.  For the amount I wanted to spend, I found one that looked right for me. 

I ordered the Perfect Summer Professional 36W UV LED light nail dryer curing lamp for Gel Nail Polish in Pink.  I bought it for $32.99 with free shipping right after Thanksgiving.  Alright!  One item down, a billion (seemingly) to go. 

Next was to look for a starter gel manicure system that was easy enough for someone like me to be able to perform on myself.  My nail tech used IBD items, but holy moly, the price on that!  I then looked at Gelish and Sensational.  After reading a gazillion reviews, I decided to go with the Gelish system.  After pricing items separately, I decided a starter kit was the best and economic way to go.  I went to my trusty Amazon, and found Gelish Complete Basix Gel Nail polish kit package.  I had mini bottles of everything I would need to get started.  It even came with a little baggie of tools!  This kit had the ph Bond, Foundation, Top Coat, Cuticle oil, Nail Cleanser and Gel remover.  The little baggie of tools had an orange stick, a nail file and a couple of other things.  This kit was $30.95 with free shipping.  I also ordered this right after Thanksgiving.   

Along with that order, I ordered a pot (.5 oz) of Gelish Soak Off Gel nail polish structure gel.  I knew my nails are very weak and thought that I may need this to add some strength to my nails.  That was $13.00.   

I received all my items within a week.  I also purchased 70% alcohol for a buck or two, as I read that this can be used instead of the nail cleanser.  You can buy this at any drugstore or retail store like Target.  I also purchased 100% pure acetone for 4 or 5 dollars at Sally Beauty.   

Ok, so now I’m set right?  Well, not so much.  I have to make room on my desk, clean things up, organize, had my gall bladder removed, Christmas with the family….. Every day stuff!  So here it is, Christmas Eve, and I am ready to experiment.  I was missing two things, a lamp (like for me to see with because the lighting is horrible) and a nail polish.   

Me being the Nervous Nellie that I am, I went and wrote down the steps that had to be done for the manicure.  I decided that I would try it out on one nail.  My poor little pointer finger on my left hand that the nail just broke during the week.  So I straightened, removed the cuticle, cleaned.  Now Im ready to do the real stuff.  I put on the pH bond.  Nothing doing.  Oh crap, now here is the foundation that I will have to cure.  How long?  Ugh?  Not sure…. I read two or three different things and one said 10 sec, one 30 and one 60.  I put the foundation and put it in the lamp for 30 sec.  I was so scared to touch it, so I told myself, “What the heck, another 30 seconds couldn’t hurt.”  Another 30 seconds it went.  I took it out.  I was so nervous.  I forgot to cap my nail.  Oh no!  Here you would normally put on your two coats of gel polish.  I didn’t have any and I was just experimenting.  I put on the top coat and remembered to cap my nail this time.  I put in my nail for 60 sec.  Then another 60 sec for good measure.  It came out and I touched it and knew it was supposed to be tacky.  I took some of the alcohol in a piece of paper towel and wiped the heck out of that nail.  After, it was so shiny and hard.  I was so proud of myself!!!  Yay me!!! 

This is going to be my test nail to see how long it will stay.  Now, I will try another finger with polish.  I read that you can use regular polish, so that is my next experiment.  Wish me luck! 

Next post will be my "FRANKEN" HAND experiment!!

Have an awesome day!   

Mel  
@1000littlesparkles on IG

My first try at the Gelish system on my little nub.  Dec 24 2016

 

My not so little nub after about 2 weeks after application.  Jan 6 2017.