Monday, April 20, 2015

6:00 AM

Embossed Metal Manicure


     Today I have a tutorial of sorts to share with you on how to achieve that embossed metal manicure look that has been floating around the internet lately. I say a tutorial of sorts because I didn't quite achieve the look I was going for and this is more of an experiment that I tried and decided to share. Plus I have an ulterior motive,  I'm hoping some of you talented ladies will have some tips or tricks to share so my next attempt will be a success. 

     Let me start out by showing you what I ended up with and then I'll get into the steps I took to get there. I really do love this look and my goal right now is to master it!


     I started this manicure off with a coat of Orly Bonder on a nail tip. I wanted a semi sticky base to hold the design. Which was a good idea, but ended up not working quite as well as I had planned. I'll get more into that later on in the post but if you look closely at the picture above you might get an idea of what Im talking about. 

       For the design I chose a 3D sticker from Born Pretty Store
6pcs 3D Nail Art Stickers Gold Embossed Texture Heart Star Lace Pattern Decals.


     I really liked the look of a few of these stickers but for my experiment I went with one of the designs with all the curls. (Far right of the picture) Here is where I made my mistake. I placed the sticker on the nail tip but I didn't make sure to press down firmly near the edge. You know, right where the tip starts to curve.


     Can you guess what happened? That's right the stickers popped off of the nail surface, only I didn't notice it until after I had added my first layer of polish. Can you say face palm moment! When it comes to my own nails I press the tape or decal down and hold it there for a few seconds and then repeat until I know it's good and stuck. I knew I needed a semi sticky surface for this to work, but I think the Bonder gave me false hope about the sticker sticking without the extra pressure I normally apply.

     Now for the magic! How do you transform a 3D sticker to embossed metal? Cover it up with a metallic finish nail polish of course. I chose Essie Blue Rhapsody although Penny Talk was a tempting choice.

How-to-create-an-embossed-metal-manicure
2 coats of Blue Rhapsody without top coat

    Like I mentioned above this is pretty close to the look I was going for. I have to fix the problem of the sticker sticking up at the side, which seems simple enough to do. What I need suggestions for is how to avoid seeing the edge of the sticker along with the 3D design. I think that is what's keeping me from absolutely loving the finished look. What do you think, am I being too critical? Id love to hear your thoughts on this new nail trend or any suggestions you have. 

     If you'd like to try this technique out but need the stickers make sure to use code LAUNX31 to save 10% on your entire order from Born Pretty Store. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Polishing!

Saturday, April 18, 2015

9:06 AM

Girly Bits - The Neon Brights Collection (Press Release)


     Get your bank cards ready! This Sunday Girly Bits has a new collection that's sure to brighten anyone's day. Check out the photos and get all the details here. 

Inspired by the hottest exercise craze (and my newest hobby), hula hooping, I am excited to announce the upcoming release of my latest collection
"Hoop! There It Is" is a super fun, extremely colourful collection of neon brights, coming just in time to pretty up your pedi's for the warm weather!

The collection consists of 10 neon bright cremes and one silver/holo/black/white glitter topper to add more variety to your mani's and pedi's.
Hoop! There It Is Collection of 11 - Launch Promo Price

Save $1 off each polish for a limited time! That's $121CAD for the 11 piece collection.
{Did I mention that includes free shipping within North America}
Get your sunglasses ready and check out the beautiful, drool worthy swatches* below of the individual shades, courtesy of Lisa at Cosmetic Sanctuary(Bottle shots by Girly Bits Cosmetics)

*All of 
the swatches are over a bare nail, and not over a white base
I've Got High Hoops

I've Got High Hoops is a bright blue creme with purple undertones. Best described as a deep periwinkle.

Summer cannot come fast enough for my new hooping obsession, especially for my family and dog. My "high hoops" have bounced off the ceiling and walls of my living room so many times now that everyone clears the room when they see me get my hula hoop out!

$12.00
Get Indie Flow

Get Indie Flow is a vibrant grape purple creme.

The merging of my two current loves inspired the creation of Get Indie Flow. I love 'Indie' anything, from polish to bath and body, to jewelry. Independent artists have my heart. And flow arts in general are simply mesmerizing. Finding my hooping flow is my long term goal.

$12.00
Hip Hoop Hurray!

Hip Hoop Hurray! is a neon violet purple creme.

In my excitement to dive right into my new hobby the day my custom hoops arrived in the mail (Hip Hoop Hurray!! hoop mail!!),  I failed to consider the injury possibilities.  Note to self: polish name inspirations should come after beginning a new exercise regime - see Thump Your Melons!

$12.00
Don't Paddle Break A Nail

Don't Paddle Break A Nail is a bright pink creme with violet undertones.

Paddle-breaks is a hula hooping trick that I am really excited to learn. There are so many crazy variations of it and it just looks so cool and FUN! I have yet to succeed (remember I've Got High Hoops?) but I keep practising breaks and reversals and in the process I have come really close to breaking a few nails instead. Seems fitting!

$12.00
You're My Hooper Hero

You're My Hooper Hero is a hot pink neon creme, with coral undertones. SO bright and fun.

I was inspired by @smashley_spins to begin my ‪hoop journey, and I have since met lots of other fabulous hoop mamas.

$12.00
Hoop! There It Is

Hoop! There It Is is a neon coral/pink creme.

Named just because there had to be one called Hoop! There It Is, and I would LOVE a hoop this colour!!

$12.00
Thump Your Melons

Thump Your Melons is a fun neon orange creme that is perfect for summer!

This beauty was inspired by some of my failed attempts at chest and shoulder hooping. And Thump Your Melons is a much funnier name than "Give yourself a fat lip with your hula hoop"!

$12.00
These Hips Don't Lie

These Hips Don't Lie is a vibrant neon yellow creme.

No exciting inspiration for the name on this one, other than the song name seemed to suit the collection theme well! And I bet Shakira can hula hoop in her sleep with those hips!!

$12.00
Hooperchondriac

Hooperchondriac is a bright neon green creme.

Marrying one addiction with another - hooping and polish. I need help, but that's nothing new!

$12.00
It's Hoop To Be Square

It's Hoop To Be Square is a vibrant neon lime green creme.

I bet it's hard to hula hoop with a square hoop. Unless you are Shakira. I bet she can do it!

$12.00
You Spin Me 'Round

You Spin Me 'Round is a super sparkly glitter topper with various sizes of black and white glitter, silver flakes and silver holographic dust in a clear base.

Just like my hula hoops spinning 'round and 'round, this versatile glitter topper will get around too. Get around the whole collection that is.

$12.00
The 'Hoop! There It Is' collection also looks incredible with our matte top coat, Polish Matte'rs, and might even be my favourite way to wear it.
But wait, how do they water marble you ask?! I've been told "Water marbling with these are the best ever!!"

Check out the ah-mazing job done by @lylynails below. Stunning!
Mark your calendars!
This amazing collection will be launching on Sunday, April 19, 2015 at 12noon EDT.

Happy Shopping!
The Girly Bits Team

www.girlybitscosmetics.com
NOTE: Neon bright shades are notoriously difficult to photograph, my bloggers have shared the swatch pictures that they feel is the best representation of the polish as they see it. Please keep in mind that while these are as accurate as possible, monitor settings can vary and they will look different on different screens. I find the biggest differences when viewing the same picture on my tablet vs. my PC or laptop.
Girly Bits Cosmetics is a Canadian company that has been handcrafting quality nail polish since 2011 in a dazzling array of colours and finishes. As a brand dedicated to providing cruelty free, on-trend and unique products, Girly Bits Cosmetics is well known for outstanding customer service, charitable donations and custom nail polishes dedicated to lost loved ones. Available at 9 on-line retailers around the globe, and a growing number of brick and mortar stores, you can be sure to easily find the season’s hottest new shades, as well as timeless customer favourites.

For more information visit us at www.girlybitscosmetics.com or contact us directly at info@girlybitspolish.com.

Girly Bits Cosmetics can be found on a variety of social media outlets. Be sure to Follow Us!

      

Which colors caught your eye? Are you loving this Neon nail polish trend? Thanks for stopping by and Happy Polishing!

Friday, April 17, 2015

6:00 AM

Half Moon with a French Tip Nail Art


     Today I'd like to share with you a simple nail art look that anyone can recreate no matter what your skill level is. Honestly the hardest part of this manicure is waiting for each layer to completely dry before moving on to the next step.  I don't know if this look has an official name but I like to call it a half moon with french tips. 


     There are 3 steps to creating this look. Each step can be done free hand or by using guides like I did.

     Step 1: Paint your base color. I started off with a coat of China Glaze Heaven to give the illusion of a bare nail but also have even coloring in the half moons.

     Step 2: Create your half moon.  I placed hole reinforcements over the lower portion of my nails and added a 2 coats of Zoya Aubrey. 

     Step 3: Add the French Tip. Like I mentioned above I used tip guides to ensure a nice, even, crisp line. For my gilded tips I chose Orly Luxe


     Top everything off with a good top coat and you're good to go. Nice and simple right! There are a few tricks to getting everything just right though. This manicure took me twice as long as it usually does, simply because of dry time. I've ruined too many manicure by jumping the gun when it comes to applying tape or decals. The last thing you need is to be pulling up your base color when removing these items so just be patient. 

     Another tip is to apply the tape, decal, or guide to the back of your hand first to remove some of the stickiness and lessen the chance of smudges, smears, wrinkles, or complete removal of the polish beneath. All of which I have experienced and let me tell you it is a frustrating experience. I think it's even worse than bumping your nails while they are still wet and causing a little dent simply because that's typically an accident and rushing through a step is completely controllable. 

     So what are your thoughts on this look, is it one you would wear? What colors would you choose? Let me know in the comments. Thanks for stopping by and Happy Polishing!

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