It's FancyFingers

2011-01-23T19:01:00.000-08:00

Here's another cool article by Betsey McClain on nail trends for Spring 2011.

2011's 6 Coolest Nail Polish Trends By: Betsey McLain

Summary-Pale blues, metallics, lavenders and nudes are in.

Man(niquinn) Hands

2011-01-21T18:51:00.000-08:00

Ah hah moment...nude polish should contrast with your skin tone--if it's too nude, and you look like you have "Maniquinn hands"...I hadn't thought of it that way, but that finally puts the words to something that had bothered me about nude polish. How do I go nude? I have used OPI's Designer Series for a base coat when I do french tips so...even my nudes never look "nude," I always add a little sparkle to add depth and detail. McLain's take: make sure your polish is a high gloss and a shade contrast. My sister complained for years I was stuck in a nude rut, I think I am out of that rut now. I dress conservative, even blah, alot of the time...for work...my nails show my weekends, my artisitic side that carries through the week.

Why I am thinking about this? I enjoyed this article, and it used the phrase that caused me pause and wanted to share it with you: 2011's 6 Coolest Nail Polish Trends By: Betsey McLain on refinery29.com . The article doesn't cover nail art, just nail polish trends, but shared some great colors to keep in mind when shopping. It's great to have a phrase to fit the situation...

Say no to Manniquinn hands!

8 Crazy Cool Nail Trends Seen at The Spring 2011 Shows

2011-01-15T18:04:00.000-08:00

I was checking what's hot in nail trends and wanted to share this post with you.

I will re-do ALL of these looks for you, and shoot a video for my take on each of these hot trends. Vote in the comments which one you want to see first! OK, I know theres only a handful of you reading, so the first response gets the first video/directions.

8 Crazy Cool Nail Trends Seen at NYC's Fashion Week for the Spring 2011 lines as written at hotbeautyhealth.com ( Photo is not mine, but is from website story link)

Cheetah tips

2011-01-14T15:54:00.001-08:00

Love a little cheetah in my life now and then!

To create this look, I used Glad Press'n'Seal to mask the bottom half of my nail, then stamped the cheetah onto the tips using my Konad m57 image plate with black.

It's pretty simple, and leaves absolutely no residue. I press it onto the center and then pull the sides down just a bit to get a curve to the tip pattern. Looks sweet!

Blue swirl on Orly Dazzle

2011-01-12T19:33:00.001-08:00

NOTD with base coat of Orly Dazzle tipped with OPI Simmer and Shimmer. Then stamped swirl tie dye pattern from Konad plate m 63.

The silver by Orly goes on thin but very opaque...unforgiving for any fill lines or ridge nails showing every imperfection, but once a stamp is applied all is forgiven! They look great , with the extra sparkle on the tips it is very fun.

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Scotch Tape Mani

2011-01-09T20:24:00.000-08:00

OK, I have heard of it before and played with it once or twice, but this gal has really figured it out!

Here's a step-by-step of how to use scotch tape to make a starburst pattern on your nails. Very fun, and it looks simple enough. Imgonnadothat!

Link: http://chloesnails.blogspot.com/2011/01/ask-and-you-shall-receive.html

Resolution: Blog It!

2011-01-09T19:58:00.000-08:00

OK, so I have a New Year's Resolution: I am going to blog once a week. So, to make this happen I will be adding reviews of polish to my blog. Pinkie swear!

OPI Simmer and Shimmer perfect for Mardi Gras!

2011-01-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post with my new polish from OPI called Simmer and Shimmer. It's a gorgeous, durable, sparkly polish that dries pretty quick. I have used this as a french tip and it looked awesome, but I didnt get pictures. Thickens in the bottle pretty fast, I've only had it a month and I've had to clean the brush with thinner once already because it got too chunky

Base coat is China Glaze Aqua Baby to give this sparkling polish a blue hue.
(Sorry my nails are a mess, just trying to get in the swing of things and KNEW if I waited until I had cleaned up the cuticles I would NEVER get it posted, just like that last fifteen manis I've given myself!)

I would highly recommend this polish, and can see it for wintery looks and Mardi Gras designs. The glitter has purples, greens, golds and turquiose blues and will play well with tons of colors by taking on the tone of whatever base coat if you decide to use one.

Kimono

2010-11-29T20:44:00.000-08:00

This summer, I had a lovely idea for a kimono style manicure on my natural nails. I loved how powerful and vibrant the colors were, and it was quick and easy to repair the few chips that my natural nails were subject to by adding a couple of green leaves. Since I run so much and am really rough on my hands during the summer, chipping is a huge problem. I have found that putting a base coat on reduced the chipping.

I used a bright red base coat, and stamped on greenery from plate m2, my very first plate in my now rather large collection in Apple Green. I then used plate m36 to stamp yellow blossoms. I was a bit disappointed that the flowers didn't pop more in the picture, it looked really great in person.

Flat (No Pattern) French Tip m19

2010-05-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Most Requested Manicure Tips are for a French...

OK, so I shot a french swirlie from plate m56 in April, and another one of what I call a french flat (flat meaning no pattern) in May...too much frenching around, and I had viral issues of the computer kind over the last week or so, so I am just getting around to getting it posted...the video needs to be reshot so that you can tell more easily how I stamp. I had terrible luck, as I stamped I would look down and my hand travelled out of the shot for most of the stamping.

I used an OPI shimmery base to jazz it up a bit...it is from the Designer Series 106, and is a shimmery pink. Honestly, I am not a big fan of the french since it's so finicky, but this time it worked ok for me. The key is have short nails, and have a smooth motion as you stamp. The slightest hesitation or pause as you roll the design on causes a ripple or unsteadiness to the design. Therefore, I do the swirlies from m56 since they are much more forgiving.

Wild Flowers

2010-05-12T17:01:00.000-07:00

I was playing around Monday while I watched tv and did a base coat of China Glaze's Tree Hugger. Love the color, but I wanted something over the top this week to pick me up, so...using a very well-worn plate, m64, taking has this very cool Henna Paint in Konad's Princess Brown...then layering on top of it my trusty m57 Three Flowers.

I just couldn't leave well enough alone, since it was looking so cute a little was cute so alot must be cuter! I wanted to accent some of the leaves with my Art Club striper in Yellow, but unfortunately I used the brush instead of dabbing with a toothpick like I usually do (so disorganized, couldnt find the toothpicks until I was putting everything away!). More, more more! Then, it just needed a bit of dazzle for the final touch--I dotted with Art Club Fine Gold Glitter, which I use for sparkle when I don't want to rhinestone all three flowers but I wanted them all to have a bit of fingerbling.

Love it, a little clunky funky fun...and it all works together so well.

French Tip Swirl Patterns

2010-04-04T19:36:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite designs, swirled French tips. This design uses m56, one of my favorite plates. It does take practice to get the curve in just the right place. I demonstrate a way to do that by lining up the stamper at a 90 degree angle to the nail bed so that you have a line of site to the targeted area, then rock it across.

As always, I use Konad Special Polish in white, since I just dont get good crisp images from other brands. More details later, enjoy!

Irish Plaid on Gold

2010-03-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

March is a time to have some fun with your nails. I have decided to sport my Mad Plaid this week.

Step 1: Go for the Gold, I found it at the end of an OPI "rainbow" at FlipFlops, where I go for nail and hair "spa" days.

Step 2: Grid it with my trusty m57. The Konad Apple Green and gold was fun, but a little too simple. I knew the plaid was coming, so I was happy. I rocked it for a day, and then...

Step 3: Stamp the plaid from m64 using Konad Black. Nice! It's fun, and I can still go to a flower accent on top for the weekend to girl it up a bit. Or not...

I love to do a full nail design like the ones found on m57, m60, m64, and several of the more recent plates (it's like they heard my prayers to the nail goddesses!).

But from what I have seen in other posts, I seem to do it a little different. Rather than paint the entire square, I paint a line along one edge and then squeegee the polish across the design. Occasionally I have to double scrape, but I find it works great. You don't end up with swirls of unevenly surface-dried polish mixed in, and it makes everything a bit faster...not to mention it's less messy and/or wasteful.

Here is a video on how I apply a full nail design. I hope you like it! It's only the green fishnet from m57, and at the end when I do my thumb you can see how I stitch the two stamps together to cover the entire thumb by using foil wrapped around my finger to help me keep the first stamp clean.

I have done the m64 plaid alone, but once I saw it with the second layer peeking out from under the patterns with it's little zip of color (in this case Apple Green) I decided that the extra dimension was too charming, too unique. If I do plaid, I don't want it to be a *snore*

This plaid also looks awesome on a natural nail, you don't need a basecoat at all for it to look fashionably finished. Got to love a Full Plaid, it's my gold at the end of the rainbow!

2010-03-04T14:45:00.000-08:00

Konad Swatches lists most of the colors of Konad Special and Princess Special Polishes available, as well as reviewing them.

I agree with most all of her observations, and her blog is great. Very cool had to share!

Lip Ink Haul!

2010-03-03T20:33:00.000-08:00

Oh Goody! My order to restock on Lip Ink semi-permanent lip colors just came in, and I love the Energy Red--totally cool! and the free color they threw in happened to be one I was tempted to order---Glitter Red! It is just a subtle shimmer, not an all at glitter. And the Hypershine turned out very glossy, it is very thick so feels just a bit sticky on the lips. Flavorless, but stays put really well...better than the regular shine. I went for broke and paid the $55 for the 2 oz bottle of shine, since my last one lasted two years it is well worth it and I will use it to refill my tubes (if I can keep track of them!).

I also ordered the shimmering lip plumper, one full size in Snow Spice that is scented like clove, and the other a trial size called Bubble Gum, that smells faintly of cinnamon. Lovely shine with shimmer, the snow is a little more opaque than I had thought it would be.

Man I wish I could start selling this. It's so pricey that I am outright cringing but the tubes last forever and the color stays on all day without smearing or printing my mugs and my hubby's mug whenever I steal a kiss. But I feel like I need to do one or the other (nail art or lip ink), and there is definately a great market for the Konad. This time I ordered directly from LipInk.com, since absolutely NO ONE sells it in Oklahoma anymore. Hate ordering lip colors online, but I know with the lemon toner and color layers that I can play with it if it's not exactly what I want. So now my color collection is back up to six, I threw away the Lava Red in a fit of cleaning and totally regret it now. No such thing as too red, is there? So now I have Earth Red, Energy Red, Ruby, Glitter Red, and Lemon Toner. The toner turns the ruby to a gorgeous Coral, and removes the blue undertones that I find not always desirable. I may do a video, but hate the idea of having a close up of my lips. I will have to think about it.

Centering Designs on the Nail

2010-02-28T20:05:00.000-08:00

OK, so finally I have figured out how to log back on (to the right account!). Sorry for my absence.

Centering a Design on the Nail
Sometimes I have found that I have to switch from a side-rolling motion when I am stamping a design on my nail, to a different method. Side rolling is best for larger designs, but for a smaller design I want to center I apply the design rocking from the tip or base of the nail instead of the side. It allows me to gage the center line of the nail. Once I became aware that I was stamping this type of design differently, I realized I should do a video on it. Since St Patty's Day is approaching, it seemed fitting to do one of my celtic knot nails, and I float a rhinestone in the center.

To do a rhinestone is really quite simple:
1. Top coat the entire nail, being careful not to overlap your brush strokes if you can help it.
2. Wet the tip of a toothpick (I usually touch the toothpick to the topcoat brush).
3. Use a wet tip of the toothpick to pick up a rhinestone. It sticks to the wet tip.
4. Finally, place it as close to where you want it to be. Nudge it for any fine adjustments.
5. Add a dollop of topcoat to seal the rhinestone onto the nail.

I will post a video just on rhinestone setting sometime soon.

Erin go braugh!
Rochelle

Hearts from m59

2010-02-01T15:16:00.000-08:00

A fun look for February is anything incorporating hearts. Here's a simple stamp with a lot of look. In this video I use a very heavily used m59 (snowflakes from December) to create a cascade of hearts on the nail, just above a glittery french tip. I stamped one hand in 3 minutes, even while stopping to refocus and trying not to go fast so you can see how the stamping process works. It was quick and looked great!

This time I tried to add alot of hints and tips in titles on the video, if you find them hard to read please let me know by posting a comment.

The sparkly base coat/french effect is from OPI Diamond Holographic, sorry but I dont know the exact name since the sticker has long since abandoned the bottle. I love it, it looks great layered over any color. As you can see, I created a french effect by painting the tip with 3 coats and the nail itself with one sheer coat. I just cant seem to get into the flat colors that are getting popular now...maybe they will grow on me?

Valentines Day Heart Tips

2010-02-01T12:25:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentines Day!
Sometimes it helps to get in the mood by pampering yourself a bit..and it doesn't hurt that getting your nails done with a Valentines Day theme might remind a special someone that the holiday is coming up.

So, in the spirit of the holiday I have decided to show a few options to you. This first video uses Konad Image Plate m56 to apply a heart patterned french tip to my nails. French tipping takes a little practice, and the Konad plates can be shallow, so if you have particularly long nails (which I don't) you may have to "stack" or stamp twice.

I started with clean nails that I had painted a base coat of OPI Diamond in a holographic shimmer. I've had the bottle awhile, and the sticker has come off the bottom so I don't know the exact name of the color. I will check with the salon where I bought it and try to update this with the exact name for you at a later time.

The alignment of the tip design can be achieved by holding the stamper at a 90 degree angle to the nail. Look at where the design will line up when rocked across the nail, then make any adjustments to how you are holding the stamper and rock the stamper across the nail. I like to hold my hand just in front of me, with my finger braced between thumb on the bottom and the stamper at the 90 degree angle at the top. The video angle cut parts of the actual stamping when I pulled toward my line of vision to align the stamp on the nail. I will get better at this next time and not cut out the alignment and rolling, but I think I got enough in that you get the general idea.

Now to work on the Lovely Stamp Video

Tip of the Week: Mixing Colors

2009-12-25T20:32:00.000-08:00

New video--

Hi everybody!

We were playing around and recorded making a light blue from basic blue and white Konad Special Polish, which are two very handy colors to have. I use Royal Blue alot lately.

To blend the colors together to create a new color, quickly and repeatedly scrape the colors across the engraving three to five times, switching directions or turning the plate 45 degrees each time to really get it mixed evenly.

Basic Color Refresher:
White + Red = Pink, or put simply White + Any Color = Pastel
Black + Any Color = Darker Hue

and remember your color basics...
Red + Blue = Purple
Yellow + Blue = Green

You will have to experiment a little to learn how much of each color you need to get the shade you want. I use just a little of the darker shade and about twice as much of the white to get a pastel blue.

The Gold, Gold Brown and Silver are somewhat sheer but sparkly, as well as any of the colors called "Pearls" by Konad. They look vibrant in the bottle, but will need more careful planning to ensure a good color presence. I like putting the metalics against Black for a subtle variation on the black nails. So keep in mind the sheerness when selecting a color to mix with, it will result in a shimmery version of the mix, without a great intensity like a metallic such as Sally Hansen's Chromes (love them as a base coat, even though I've read that some people get them to work on their plates--they don't work worth a hoot on my plates though).

Have a Fabulous Day!

Christmas Snowflakes on Blue

2009-12-17T20:46:00.001-08:00

My Christmas snowflake nails, on a base coat of Wet'n'Wild Bijou Blue. Stamped white snowflakes from Image Plate 59 in a flurry, centering one flake and edging in a semi-random pattern to make a flurry of sorts. Since I am sor of in need of a fill, I ended up placing three rhinestones in an arc to distract from the faint ridge, then i finished with a Silver Shimmer topcoat by Konad, the only topcoat I have found that consistently does not blur the images.

Merry Christmas!

Decisions, decisions

2009-12-07T20:43:00.000-08:00

OK, so sometimes the hardest thing about nail art is deciding which design combination I want. Right now, I cant seem to decide. I have gotten stuck on Image Plate (IP) 57, with Zebra and Fishnet and a super cute flower the past month, and simply could not resist this echo of last week's nail design. I used the month before I was stuck onn the swirlies.
I have a white base coat by Milani on, then alternating fishnet and zebra, then layerd the flower on top. All from ONE plate. The fishnet and zebra are in Konad Special Polish Black, and the flower is white.

FancyFingers is Blogging Now!

2009-11-23T21:52:00.000-08:00

FancyFingers.net has a blog now! Now lets see if I can keep it up.

I love my nails this week, the Enid people inspired me to design a totally awesome set of nails. I used my favorite plate again, m57, but this time I made myself not use the zebra (which I am addicted to!). I used the fishnet pattern and combined two or three rows of alternating colors of Special Polish Black and Eggplant. When I squeegeed across the plate it feathered the colors together in a beautiful fading pattern.

I then stamped a flower, and the fishnet bled through the white flower! Not what I had in mind. So I scrapped that finger, started over by simply removing the flower and the fishnet with a little basic nail polish remover. Then I applied a fresh fishnet and then I topcoated all my nails to prevent the bleeding of the base pattern. Now when I applied my flower, it worked much better-- great pattern and a popping white flower.

Floated a hot pink rhinestone in the middle of somme of the flowers and wow, what a look! I was so pleased...it is pretty over the top for my nature girl look, but I really dig it so I am going to rock this look all week long!