Easy and fast DIY sparkly gradient nails!

 

I got this idea when I was sitting at the computer earlier in the week, trying to plan my posts for the next month.  So while having a little tea break I decided to paint my nails, this lovely fresh mint green-blue colour. 

So, all my stationary, from sticky notes to highlighters and markers, was all laid out on the desk in front of me when I noticed this magenta coloured fine-tip permanent marker and I thought to myself  ‘This colour would definitely go with my nail polish!!  Can I use this on top of the polish, or would it just wipe off?’

Then I realised ‘Why not try it.  If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work…’

But it did work, so I was happy! Haha!  I gave the whole thing a go and…

Ta dah!  This is what I ended up with!

 

Steps:
 

1.      First of all I tidied up my nails, filed and buffed them before putting on a strengthening base coat!

2.      I let the base coat dry completely before putting on two thin coats of a minty green-blue colour - you can use any colour you like, I just picked this one because I recently bought it and wanted to try it out!  I usually leave roughly three to five minutes between each coat.

3.      I randomly picked the colours I wanted and layered them on top of the nail polish from light to dark.  I also clashed some of the colours to make them stand out more.  Read Note a) before going to step 4!

4.      Before the top coat I used a pinkish sparkly glitter polish to the tip of each nail, more at the tip than at the middle, like a gradient effect!

5.      I let that dry, then put the top coat to seal the design!

 
All done!! I’m quite happy how it turned out.  I think it’s quite cool.  Something different, as I say.

Notes:

a)      While reviewing other tips on doing these permanent marker designs I discovered that, before putting a top coat on to seal the design, you can skoosh (spray) a little bit of hairspray.  This will help the ink not to smudge when the top coat is put on. 

b)      Whenever I put the top coat on, I try not to apply too many brush strokes over the nail, because it always smudges my nails even if I leave hours or a day before the applying it.  So I load the brush with enough for the nail and do the middle, then one side and then the other.

c)      I would always have a few coats of polish between my nails and the ink, just to be on the safe side!

 

So that’s it for this week’s post.  Have a fab week!  Until next time…  See ya!

Blogging Newbie

I am starting this blog after quite a number of people told me it might be a good idea, so I thought why not?  Why not try and see what happens!  So here goes…my very first blog post!!

A few things about me, just to start off with...

1.       I’m mixed race, a hapa!  My mama comes from the Philippines and my dad from Scotland.  I grew up in Scotland and have visited the Philippines to see family five times in my life and I really love the place!  I enjoy learning new things about the Philippines as well.  The traditions, the culture and things like that are quite interesting, and totally different from Scotland.

2.       I’m a graduate Interior Designer!  Ever since I was in my early teens, when I had this computer game where I could design rooms and spaces, I knew that was what I wanted to do because it was fun.  I loved it.  So I picked classes that would help me get into an Interior Design course.  Now I’m a graduate!!  Yay!  To be fair, I finished University three years ago and haven’t been successful in getting a job…yet!!  I will keep trying though!!  I’m not giving up!! So since then I have been keeping busy, working and saving up.  As well as discovering other hobbies where I can use my creativity, which takes me on to number three…

3.       I have discovered in the past two years that I really enjoy doing nail art.  I love the fact that I can use my nails as little canvases and do designs on them, anytime I want to!! I always feel happier when I have my nails all done up, haha.

Another one of my hobbies is taking photographs.  I’m not saying I’m a photographer, but I do enjoy going to see new places and taking loads of photos!  I love travelling and knowing that I have images of places I’ve seen, so I can always remember the experience!

Well….that’s me.  I hope that’s not been too boring to read!

I suppose I should say that through this blog I am going to try and post crafty things, like my design tips and things like my nail art, and photos from visiting places as well.  I am not sure if these posts will help anyone or inspire them, but I can only try, can’t I?  So….I guess we shall see!! J

Okay, well that’s all for my first post.  I’m a wee bit nervous and excited about this blog, but I aim to put up a new post every Sunday!!

So…until next time!!  See ya!