Crop Circle Inspired Nail Art

Crop Circle Inspired Nail Art

31DC2015 essie favorite freehand geometric green linework lvx nail art

"Inspired by the supernatural" is another one of the challenge prompts that I'm not usually too enthused about. I started out today attempting a manicure depicting the Galactic Entity from Futurama, but quickly changed my mind (looked too much like my galaxy nails!). I decided to do some crop circle nail art instead, and boy am I glad that I did! I'm super pleased with these and hope you enjoy them too.

I started out by applying two coats of Essie - Mojito Madness as my green base. Then, I used the dry brush technique to add some swipes of Duri - Shocking Twist. If you're unfamiliar, you just wipe most of the polish off of your brush, and then lightly swipe it over your nails.

Then, I used LVX - Avenal to handpaint my crop circle designs. Many of them have geometric elements to them, so I chose to focus on concentric circles as well as lines and triangles.

I finished the nail art with a matte topcoat. I liked the look of it glossy, but to be honest, the reflections of the lights that I use for my photos on my nails made my linework look distorted.

See more of my supernatural nail art:

• Glow in the dark ghosties
• Glittering Edward nail art
• Phoenix feather nail art
• Raava and Vaatu nail art (Legend of Korra)

Silver Honeycomb Glitter Placement

Silver Honeycomb Glitter Placement

31DC2015 artiglio black gel geometric glitter glitter placement nail vinyls presto gel silver

Just a simple look for the "glitter" prompt today! I always do a glitter placement for this day of the challenge, and today is no different, though I didn't go all-out like I usually do. Instead, I opted for a chic reflective pressed glitter gel manicure, and then layered a bold accent nail over the top.

This is a gel manicure, so I started with proper nail prep and a gel base coat. Next, I applied two coats of Presto #104 Sordino to my nails, curing between each.

After I applied the second coat and cured, I took loose glitter and used a French brush to press/scrub the glitter into the tacky layer of my color gel. In this case, I reached for Artiglio Willy, which I think worked beautifully with the grey base. (Quick sidebar: I NEED to use it for a full rockstar -- the photos on the Artiglio site are tantalizing!)

The honeycombs were created using black polish and honeycomb vinyls from Love, Angeline. I sponged the black over the vinyl to avoid pooling, and then removed it to reveal the pattern. I placed single pieces of loose silver hex glitter in the center of each hexagon.

The nails are finished with gel topcoat.

In case you can't get enough glitta...

• Wet N Wild Correction Tape
• Hand placed glitter party nails
• Midnight Mermaid glitter placement
• Glittery skull cameos

Flower of Life Sacred Geometry Nail Art

Flower of Life Sacred Geometry Nail Art

31DC2015 deborah lippmann freehand geometric gradient grey nail art purple red

Today's challenge prompt is geometric. I wanted to attempt some sacred geometry, and a quick Google search revealed that I would probably have the easiest time attempting a Flower of Life design. Of course, I knew it still wasn't going to be a walk in the park, and not only was it not, but it was actively really super challenging! Getting those petals even and spaced nicely was H-A-R-D!

I used the three creme shades from the new Deborah Lippmann Roar Collection for my color palette.

I began with a base of Deborah Lippmann She Wolf, a creamy taupe. The formula was excellent, by the way, went on smoothly and evenly and covered in two coats.

Next, I added the freehanding with Deborah Lippmann Miss Independent (purple) and Respect (red). I blended the two shades together in equal parts for the middle of the nails where they meet.

Last year was the first year that included "geometric" as a prompt (changed from "tribal" to be more culturally sensitive). I chose a handpainted geometric gradient design similar in style to this one, actually!

Pattern-Blocked & Woven Stripes

Pattern-Blocked & Woven Stripes

31DC2015 brown color club geometric lvx polish my life red stripes tape yellow

Well, today we've arrived at my first challenge flop. Truth be told, I just finished these, after working a full day at the spa and then taking a nap. So I'm not surprised that they aren't exactly my magnum opus. Maybe you guys will like these more than I do? (Fingers crossed!)

It was unintentional, but once I had finished this manicure I was surprised by how much it reminded me of a woven rug. So we are calling it "blocked and woven stripes." Go figure!

Despite the fact that I don't care for the design of these much, I do love the color palette. I used LVX Sienna, Color Club Je Ne Sais Quois, Polish My Life Birthday Suit, and Salon Perfect Oil Slick. Very retro, maybe 60's?

Most of the elements are freehanded, though I did use tape to create the three main blocked shapes.

More striped manicures:

• Dusty green tape stripes
• Rainbow blocked stripes
• Green ombre vertical stripes
• Marbled blue swimming pool stripes

Animal Crossing Grass Pattern Nail Art

Animal Crossing Grass Pattern Nail Art

31DC2015 essie favorite geometric green lvx nail art pop culture video game

Green day of the 31 Day Challenge is here! I decided to try a pattern that pays tribute to one of my favorite video games: Animal Crossing!

This pattern is inspired by the grass pattern that is displayed in summer. I chose colors a little darker than the daytime palette, so let's just say that this is an evening look!

I used the following polishes for this nail art:
LVX Viridis (base)
Essie Mojito Madness (lime green)
LVX Paraiso (blue mixer)
LVX Truffle (brown mixer)

I freehanded the squares with the short end of my Edinburgh Realism 3/4 brush. After they were all on there, I went back with Viridis to clean up the edges of the squares. It's a small step that really made a big difference in the finished look!

Here are my green manicures from the past four years of the challenge.

• China Glaze Ghoulish Glow
• Bulbasaur Nail Art
• Green Jade Nail Art
• Blocked green plant tendrils

Garnet Glittering Gradient Grid Gels

Garnet Glittering Gradient Grid Gels

31DC2015 akzentz cnd gel geometric glitter linework red rockstar shellac

It's the first day of the 31 Day Challenge! If you're totally confused about what's going on, be sure to check out my 31DC FAQ page, which will answer all of your questions.

The first prompt of the challenge is "red," and -- what luck -- I was already wearing red rockstar glitter gel nails!

So the big goal for this manicure was to try to improve on my gel gradients, which were not as strong as I want them to be. I picked black to use as my gradient color, and sponged it on with clear gel to create the fade.

Truthfully, the method I used for this gel gradient is the same as if I were using regular polish, but with a few small modifications. Here's the gist:

• Cut your makeup wedge sponge into a thin strip to help minimize mess.
• Paint stripes of the colors you want to use on the sponge.
• Tap it LIGHTLY on to the nail. Don't overtap, as this can pull the gel back up off the nail. If you're used to sponging gradients with regular polish, you'll definitely have to modify your pressure to make it lighter.
• Clean up any mess on your fingers before you cure in your gel lamp.
• Cure between each round of sponging.
• I did four or five rounds of sponging, cleaning, and curing for this manicure.

After the gradient was looking good, I painted on a black grid that faded away into the darkest parts of the nails.

Products used:
CND Shellac Base Coat and Xpress5 Top Coat
Recollections glitter in Cherry
DIY Hard Nails - Black Cat (black gel)
Akzentz Gel Play in black (grid pattern)

My previous red 31DC manicures:
Crab print and nautical mix

Red mix and match
Red watercolor
Barielle - Elle's Spell

Embrace the Grey with This Geometric Necktie Patterned Nail Art

Embrace the Grey with This Geometric Necktie Patterned Nail Art

freehand geometric grey nail art opi silver

Despite the fact that I haven't seen or read 50 Shades of Grey, I think we all know the basic gist of the story. OPI's 50 Shades collection includes a range of six shades - five greys and a red - and I used three of them to create this nail art look today. I chose a geometric pattern, one that you might find on a necktie, which fits with what I know about the story quite well, I think.

Nail polish used:
OPI Embrace the Grey
OPI Dark Side of the Mood
OPI My Silk Tie

I began by painting my nails with two coats of Embrace the Grey. It applied smoothly and evenly, like OPI cremes usually do!

I painted on a freehand square pattern using Dark Side of the Mood, and then added the silvery squares inside them with My Silk Tie.

What do you think - Christian-esque?

Ya know, even though I haven't seen the movie or read the books, I can get behind a good geometric pattern any day of the week! What about you - have you "Embraced the Grey"?