Mermaid Magic

Hi everyone! This post is kind of pic spammy, so I will save you all with a magical cut at some point. I'm not going to tell you when, it will be a surprise. Keep you on your toes.

Since I first saw the mermaid nails trend I knew I wanted to do it, it was just a matter of time before I collected the right colors. Now that those are in my collection, along with a good stamp, the time was right. Stamping may or may not have detracted from this look but I like it both ways so of course I'll show you both. First up, I'll show you the end product.

SURPRISE JUMP FOR MORE PICS!

I really had a hard time photographing these for some reason. Other than the lack of sun (stupid rain), I just couldn't seem to get the silver to show up as light and delicate as it really comes across in person. Overall it was a very smooth effect that I just wasn't skilled enough to capture with the camera. Now let's take a look at the gradient before stamping happened, shall we?

This is probably the most color accurate shot of the bunch.

Again I had trouble photographing these. The macro setting on my camera was all about the texture which really wasn't there, these feel nice and smooth even with all the glitter. Also it made the green flakies stand out way more than in person. They look more clear to white and there really isn't much green but for some reason the pics are yelling "OMFG LOOK AT THIS GREEN MOFO SPOT RIGHT OVER HERE!". Although now that I look at them it kinda reminds me of seaweed so I still like it.

Polishes used:

• Sinful Colors base coat / Seche Vite top coat
• Sinful Colors Cinderella
• China Glaze Secret Peri-wink-le
• Sinful Colors Midnight Blue
• Sinful Colors Mint Apple
• Sinful Colors Amethyst
• Pure Ice (blue sparkles, the label fell off my bottle so I don't know it's name >.<)
• Sinful Colors Green Ocean
• Sally Hansen Pedal To The Metal
• Red Angel stamping plate RA-111

I know I say this a lot, but these were really fun to make. I started with two thin coats of Cinderella a few days ago. I am so glad I picked this polish up, it is so delicate and just dang pretty. Later came the gradient stamping with Cinderella, Secret Peri-wink-le, and Midnight Blue. I tried a new method (painting right on the sponge) and I think it will be my preferred method of sponging from now on. Also new, I took Mint Apple and Amethyst and dabbed the tip of the brush (after wiping off all the polish) in random places along the bottom edges of the nail. I did the same with the poor unnamed blue sparkles. After all that a coat of Green Ocean and it was done. For like a day. I couldn't resist stamping with Pedal To The Metal and I have to say it worked out as a stamping polish better than I expected. 

I just realized I work with a lot of blue tones. Apparently I'm in my nail artist blue period? Whatevs, every artist has one, don't judge me :P What are some of your favorite colors to use regularly?