Fireworks!

My birthday is July 3- the day before Independence Day. When I was a little kid, my parents would tell me every year that the fireworks all over were for celebrating my birthday. And of course, I believed them for a few years. LOL. So I've always loved fireworks.

I was torn this year between doing my nails birthday themed or America themed. (I know, I have so many problems, right!?) So I chose fireworks- something that for me, signifies both!

I especially love big colorful fireworks, so that's what I did.
I painted a couple coats of Sinful Colors black on black and then picked out a few colors I thought would pop. I was concerned that the non-neon colors wouldn't be as bright- but they worked so well!

I tried different firework-painting techniques. Some I did long lines, others short. Some bent and falling and others going up and spreading. I played around by drawing fireworks on paper with chalk- a super fun 4th of July craft to do with my little girl.

As you might have noticed, I did this design on artificial nails so that I could take photos for my Etsy shop, Finger Candy. You can buy this design over there, if you want! Check out the link to my shop. :)

Black: Sinful Colors black on black
Blue: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Blue Me Away
Green: Cosmetica Fanatica neon green
Yellow: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Lightning
Neon Yellow: Cosmetica Fanatica neon yellow
Purple: Essence Color n Go Passion for Fashion
Orange: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Sunkissed
Pink: Cosmetica Fanatica neon pink
Top Coat: Seche Vite

Florida Sunset Nails

I wasn't quite sure what to do to my nails but I know I wanted to use the color orange because that is my mom's favorite color and I was going to have these nails on for mother's day. I picked out a few colors that I thought went with the orange and I decided they looked like a Florida sunset and that is what I decided to do!

They turned out better then I even expected! And I got TONS of compliments on them! This is how I did it.

I used 3 colors for the sunset part the orange is Nina's Ultra Pro - Orange Flame, the pink is a Cosmetic Arts color but the sticker fell off so i don't know the name but its a Neon Pink and the purple is Orly - Close Your Eyes. I started with my normal Nail Life base coat and finished with Seche Vite top coat to make it extra shiny. To start this look you need one of those white makeup sponges, you can get them at the dollar store they are super cheap!

You have to paint the colors in the order you want directly on to the sponge. It works best when you get the sponge wet and then ring out as much water as possible because it stays a little damp and doesn't suck up as much nail polish.

I tested mine out on a piece of paper first just to make sure that it looked like i wanted it to. After you get it looking like you want then instead of stamping on the paper you stamp it on your nails.

I'm not gonna lie it makes a MESS!!! I definitely should have taped off my nails first so that there wasn't so much clean up.

I used an angled brush that you can get from any arts and crafts store and dipped it into pure acetone to clean up my cuticles. I also used a Qtip and some cotton pads for the bugger mess. Oh and I've used just a regular flat brush to clean up my cuticles but an angled one works SOOOOO much better!

This was the after math of my nails I made a bit of a mess lol

I love these nails and my mom did too!! As always thanks for reading and I hope I added a little inspiration to your day!

:)
  Kristy

Peachy Shine

I absolutely LOVE this simple, chic, summery manicure!

I bought two new polish colors yesterday.
One is a really pretty, summery peachy-orange color.

I wanted to do something simple with the color- I originally planned to do silver tips. But after I put a couple coats of the peach on my fingertips, I changed my mind and decided to try something new- just a simple swipe of glitter. And I love this- I'll definitely do it again with other colors.

 

Surprisingly, this color was actually matted. And while it was very pretty, I'm partial to that just-painted wet look. So I used my favorite shiny clear polish and made it super shiny. The clear I used is off-brand, I think it came with make-up or something I bought. It's an awful top coat- it does nothing to protect. However, it gives a better shine than most top coats.

I think this would work for business or work, a casual summer bbq or even a night out with the girls. It's so chic and simple! The glitter is eye-catching but not too obtrusive, like tips can be.

Peach: Essence rebels' Peach Punk
Sparkle: Milani Nail Art's Art of Silver
Shine: Quick Dry Top Coat

<3, Cassie