Nail Art Tutorial: Abstract Nails

Finally!  After a decade!  A video to show you how I do my nail art!

Let me know if you prefer video nail art tutorials or photos!  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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For more nail art designs and inspirations, visit HERE.

Keep smilin'

Stay happy!

 

Solique x Agoo's Holiday Nails

Happy Friday!

I am so happy today I am finally sharing you a nail art design using Solique x Agoo collection.  My right pointer finger suffered from extreme allergic reaction (it looks so bad I can't take a photo of my hand!)  That explains why my nails were bare for the past weeks (if you watch my stories on Instagram).

Thankfully, just in time for the holidays and just in time for Solique's newest collection (after Solique x Benefit), Agoo Bengzon came up with a 2nd collection of this sought after no-UV lamp gel polish!

It was a surprise for me but I was able to use ALL the shades in the collection for this particular nail art design.  That said, the shades work together and my nails look festive in a non-traditional way!

The nail art design is easy to do because it doesn't have to be perfect, all you need to do is to create a bit of swirl and better if you have a thin nail art brush!

Step 1:
Apply a coat or 2 of Solique Anchor Grip Gel Base Coat.  Let dry.

Nail Art Tutorial: Medal Nails

I wasn't really aiming to create "Medal-Like" nails.  But it was late at night before my big day of Hosting Duty.  I looked at my nails at exactly 12mn and my eyes grew wide --- I had to do something about my nails!  

Pulling myself apart from my son's comforting hug (Most difficult thing to do!), I motioned Mr. AMW to follow me (because he is supportive like that!) hahahah 

I promised myself I won't go overboard with my nail art, I just needed a couple of minutes to make my nails look decent for the next day's shoot and I understood very well I had to wake up early!

TADA!

Medal Nails using Orly Nail Lacquer, Nail Art Brush, 

Girlstuff Fast Dry Top Coat and Rhinestones

Step 1: 
Apply 2 Coats of Orly Nail Lacquer in Prelude to A Kiss.  Let Dry.

Nail Art Tutorial: Easter Nail Art with GirlStuff Bloggers Elite Summer Collection + Talk about Passion

Hi AMW Friends!
Do you miss my Nail Art Tutorials???  (I wish to hear or feel some YES right there!) :P

So it was one quiet Holy Week night when Kyle Nash was asleep.  I was looking at the GirlStuff Bloggers Elite Summer Collection and I was itching to create something because the shades are not only perfect for summer, they are perfect for Easter Nails!

To those who wonder how I squeeze time to do the things I love to do with a toddler around, well, here's the answer!  As I was grabbing all my polishes, nail art tools and my nail art table...I looked up the clock and it says: "2:00am".  So that answers your question!  I am a vampire!  I don't sleep!  hahaha

Nail Art Tutorial: Back to Retro!

When we talk about Retro, I remember 2 things --- Retro inspired dresses....

and the Deee-lite's "Groove is in your heart"..... *laughs* 

There's just so much inspiration during the "Retro-Years" so I've decided to create my own Retro Nail Art design!  Nothing too fancy or complicated as I just cut my nails super short!  If you follow me on  Instagram (AskMeWhats), I did mention that this is my shortest nails ever!  And here's a proof that short nails can still do nail art! :)

Nail Art Tutorial: My 34th Birthday!

Today is my birthday!  Happy Birthday to me! :)

I've celebrated 5 birthdays in this blog!  I can still remember the day I turned 30 and it felt like months ago!  

To celebrate my special day, I'm sharing a kiddie birthday nail art as mid-30s or 40s or 50s, we can always be child-at-heart!

My 24th Birthday Nails!

*ahem*  mistyped, I meant 34th!  *laughs*

Step 1:

Though my doctor gave me a go signal on using nail polishes, I am still very careful with the nail polish brands I use.  I make sure they are free from the Big 3 (toxic chemicals).  I skipped nail polish base and went ahead and apply 2 coats of Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Narcissist.

I wanted to create a girly, candy-like vibe so I applied this shade only on my pinky, middle and pointer fingernails.

Nail Art Tutorial: Be My Valentine + Karat World's The Forever My Love Collection

Ah, my first nail art of the year was done last month and I'm glad I have at least one for the month of February!  It was one fine Friday evening as I was looking at my boring (equivalent to no polish) nails, I've decided to pull out my nail polish box and play with the "safe" nail polish for pregnant women!  Who would've thought playing could be fun?  I ended up with a very simple (promise, it really is!) and playful nails that I would like to call "Be My Valentine".

"Be My Valentine" is an interpretation done by yours truly as this cute, matchstick boy and girl reminded me so much of the couple pillow case we have which I bought from Bangkok Thailand years ago!  I'm sure some of you probably have the same pillowcase too!

Step 1:

Since I do not own any "safe for pregnant women" base coat and top coat, I've decided to give this step a skip and went ahead and applied 2 coats of Girl Stuff Polish in Flirt.  Wait until polish is completely dry.

Readers' Corner: Nail Art Brushes and Their Uses

Happy Tuesday dear friends!  Today, I will be answering a major question regarding Nail Art Brushes which I haven't gotten the chance to tackle for months due to my pregnancy!  Since I'm back to my usual self and I'm not that sensitive to nail polish scent anymore, I'm all game to share some tips that I learn through years of practice and experimentation!  Keep in mind that this is just my "amateur-ish" advise, feel free to add more tips and tricks on comment below so we'll both learn from this!

Let's start with nail art brushes.  Nail art brushes doesn't have to be expensive or specifically made for nails, I started purchasing single nail art brushes at local bookstores and once I got the hang of it, I've decided to try the nail art brush sets sold online or from professional nail art supplies stores!

For instance, I recently got a 2 sets from Born Pretty Store.

15pc Nail Art Design Brush Set Dotting Dot Pen Drawing $5.96 (approx Php238.00)

and

3pcs Nail Art Brush Angle Liner Drawing Line Pen Paint $2.29 (approx Php91.60)

The Set of 15 Nail Art Brushes comes with 3 drawing tools, 7 painting tools, 2 liners, 1 dotting tool and 2 fan brushes.  The 3 pcs nail art brush liner drawing line pen comes in fine detail, medium liner, and long striper brush.

Adding them all up, I have 18 different nail art brushes that could look overwhelming at first glance.  To make this post easier for all of us, I have grouped these brushes based on their similarities in functions and it is your choice to take a pick on the brushes you need for your nail art designs!

Fine Detail, Medium Liner and Long Striper Brushes

These brushes are similar to the L.A. Art Deco Polish which I love to use for all the lines and stripes that I would like to create on my nails.  

The Fine Detail brush is wonderful to create simple short lines or even French tips!  The Medium Liner on the other hand is great for drawing wisps and some netting designs.  The long striper brush is best used to create thin lines.

Some ways on using the medium and long striper brush, wisps and thick to thin lines.

Vertical and Horizontal lines can easily be created by using the Fine Detail brush.

Dotting Tool

The dotting tools usually come in different sizes too!  As for the set I got from Born Pretty Shop, the tip is very fine perfect to create tiny dots and can also be used to pull dots creating flower petals.

Dots created by using fine dotting tool.

Tiny flowers can also be created by drawing 6 dots!

Various Drawing Brushes

These brushes can be used to create simple to more created designs!

The most tiny detail brush from the set is my favorite brush to draw faces, write alphabets or numbers!  If you have stable hands, this particular brush can also be used to create dots!

I also like to draw some animal prints with the same brush!

Shading Brushes

These shading brushes also comes in various sizes and can be used depending on the size of your nails and the size of the art design you plan to create. 

Aside from using these brushes to create one stroke nail art like creating French Manicure, I also like to use these brushes to create flower petals or leaves.  The biggest shading brush is also great to apply background shade using 2 different shades!

Angular Brushes

These brushes are optional but the angled head of these brushes can create intricate detailed designs and the 45 degree cut of the brushes are also perfect to create slant strokes.

Added tip: The longest tip of these angular brushes can also be used to create dots!

Fan Brushes

If used as a makeup brush, I love to use these brushes to remove excess makeup fallouts, contour the cheeks or apply blush for a very natural finish.  

If these brushes are treated as a nail art brush, these fan brushes can create abstract nail art designs using 1 or multiple shades. Aside from creating abstract designs, these fan brushes are also used to apply glitters on nails!  How?  By applying your choice of glitter powders on top of a wet polish!  The outcome, I promise you, is worth the mess!

Fanning the tip of the fan brush onto the nails for random designs.  You can feel free to swirl the brush tips for more creative outcome!

Have you given your artistic side a shot by trying out nail art designs?
If yes, have you thought of investing nail art brushes?

I have been doing nail art designs for years and haven't really thought of investing nail art brushes until I get into designs I'd like to do but I don't have the right tools for it!  The nail art brush sets I got from Born Pretty Store is actually very affordable and I am very happy with the result of my nail art designs each time I use them!  The quality are even better than those single brushes I bought in random bookstores! 

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Keep smilin'
Stay happy!
  
(Nail art brushes provided for review.  Opinions 100% mine.  Please purchase at your own discretion.)

Nail Art Tutorial: Welcoming 2013 Nails!

A wonderful day everyone!  I am so excited to share my post today as it has been almost half a year since my last nail art tutorial!  Do you still remember my last nail art design?  If not, feel free to click HERE and see my Big vs. Small nail art design!

Looking back at my post, I wasn't able to play Casino game at Resort's world and didn't went home a billionaire but I got something even better!  I got pregnant and I have Baby AMW which turned out to be the greatest gift I received for the year 2012!

Before I go dramatic, *sniffles*  I posted about a nail polish brand that's free from THE BIG 3 --- Formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate and best of all, it's affordable!  (read Eureka Moment post HERE)  I did wish that they come up with more shades and my prayers were answered!  Isn't it the greatest timing?

Girl Stuff Nail Polish Newest Shades and Collection

And here's my Welcoming 2013 Nail Art!

This design was inspired by the color of the year --- Emerald but since I don't have any "safe" emerald polish on hand, I settled for apple green!  Aside from the color inspiration, I also included some of the Christmas colors --- Red and Green and inserted my Chinese Belief --- round/circles for luck!