Saturday, July 2, 2016

I attempt gradient nails (Three Times)!

I love getting my nails done at the salon. I always just get a gel manicure (or a polish change when I cant afford a manicure). But, over time, bills and other things have taken priority to me getting my nails done. And because it doesn't really matter where my nails are done, just that they are done so they dont break, I've been doing them myself.  I've used different colors, but I dont do much nail art myself. I prefer glitter polishes. Well, I actually prefer holo glitters actually but I cant afford them. I never really realized there was a difference between holo glitter and not holo glitter. Holo means holographic and I learned all of this and more by watching one of my favorite youtubers Simply Nailogical. I stumbled upon one of her very popular video Polish Mountain. This video has received almost 13 million views. Watch Polish Mountain here. Christine, AKA Simply Nailogical, is adorable and funny. Shes very entertaining and I have learned alot from her. Halo Christine if you are reading!
Anyway, she makes doing your nails yourself look very easy. She inspired me to try something different, so I tried gradient nails...three times. I looked at different tutorials for gradient nails, including some by Simply Nailogical. Here she makes it look super easy.
Last week, I was included in an Influenster  Virtual Vox Box for Sinful Colors Kylie Jenner Denim and Bling. I picked up two from her line, with the 4th of July as my inspiration I went with the blue Kobalt, and the clear glitter Konfection, plus from the Sinful Colors Professional line, Snow Me White and Ruby Ruby. Before I even tried gradient nails, I did my mani using these 4 colors, finished the Virtual Vox Box for Influenster, and even posted a lame video on YouTube that you can see here.  


Once this was complete, I wanted more of a unique design so I decided to try the gradient idea. 

First Attempt  


According to all the tutorials I saw, your supposed to use liquid latex  on the skin around your nail to make clean up easier. I did not do that. Your also supposed to brush the polish on a makeup sponge and then dab on your nail. I did this and it didn't work right for me. I kept trying different things after that, just to try to get the hang of it.

Attempt 2 (Meaning, I didn't give up) 

I repainted my nails and used Big Peel Off Base Coat by Sally Hanson on the skin around my nails. Then I did about 4 coats on each nail using the gradient technique with a make up sponge. I tried more placing the sponge on the nail and rolling it, then dabbing it. It seemed to work better for me.  After peeling off the peel off base coat, washing my hands, using a green kitchen scrub pad, and acetone nail polish to clean up all the mess on my nails, I was finally done. (An hour later!)
Although its still not perfect, like Simply Nailogical gradient nails, it was only my second time. It will work for festive 4th of July nails just fine. We will be in the dark anyway!
This prompted my third attempt because now I'm an expert. Just kidding, this is not a tutorial. But I could use more practice, so bring on the next victim...
my 11 year old daughter Ruby (who was very excited the red Ruby Ruby polish was being used!)

Third Attempt (Getting the hang of it) 
Because Ruby's hands are so small, and her nails are so short, I knew I would have trouble doing the horizontal gradient so I went with a vertical gradient, except for her thumbs. It worked a lot better on her hands and looks so unique. Painting other peoples nails is very difficult for me. And she was wiggly, but the beauty about this look is its very forgiving. If you mess up, it kinda blends right in. 
This mani party prompted an impromptu photo shoot...

So, my opinion on gradient nails...
I think it looks great. I'm not a professional and I have done way better jobs on my nails most of the times other than these three attempts, but for trying something new, I think I did ok. 
However, 
This took a long time (over two hours to do both of us), and used a lot of polish, and remover. 
While painting Ruby's nails, I realized I really am getting the hang of it, and hers were done a lot quicker with less mess and frustration. 
Because practice makes perfect, 
I will try again after these chip off with a different color palette. 
Christine, if your reading, thanks for the inspiration and thanks for making such informative and entertaining videos. 

Check out the Awesome Simply Nailogical on YouTube







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