Poker Nails

**Press sample**

Look at me.... Blogging again!

Charlie's Nail Art sent me a few nail art bits to try and here are some cute little poker cards. These are actually quite thin so I think that you could even press them down to make them flatter.


I used China Glaze Four Leaf Clover as a base and then used a nail art pen to draw on the dollar signs (which my bloody China Glaze top coat smudged!)

You can purchase these and like tons of other nail art bits from Charlie's Nail Art HERE 

Life in Lacquer Challenge:INSPIRED BY ANOTHER NAIL ARTIST OR BLOGGER

Ill start of by apologising. I am really late on this prompt but I do have a good excuse I swear!!

As you can see we have had a big change here at Life in Lacquer.... We are now a dot com! This is a big step for me and its really made me feel quite accomplished!
I also have a fantastic new layout courtesy of Shiny Magic. They are so reasonably priced and was really easy to install.

Okay so back to the last prompt of the Life in Lacquer July Challenge. I chose one of my fave bloggers Let Them Have Polish.
She did a fantastic look called Rainbow Ombre and she also made a tutorial. All of which can be found on her original post.

Here's my take...

I used the exact method she did my following her YouTube tutorial. 

The colours I chose are bright so to me it looks a bit like a galaxy nail art! 

The shades I used were

Moyra Bubblegum Limoncello 622

Moyra 102

China Glaze Electric Beat 

OPI Pink Friday 

Manhattan 67N

Essie Mojito Madness

CND Vinylux Cream Puff (base) 

I used Sick Lacquers Pastel Fusion over the top to give it some glitz. This bottle is not pictured in the bottle shot (I forgot, sorry!)

I then matted it all using Mentality Matte Top Coat. I love this topcoat and the effect it gives. 

The clean up wasn't great as I got it everywhere, but I am still happy with the look. I also found Let Them Have Polishes video really easy to follow. 

So what do you think of this nail art? 

Also what are your thoughts on the new look? There's more to come with the look so its a work in progress.

Life in Lacquer Nail Art Challenge:MONOCHROME

We have nearly reached the end of this month long challenge and I would love to hear your thoughts about how its gone, your favourite design and any improvements in running the challenge, just incase I decide to do one again one day!

This prompt is another fave of mine. Monochrome is very trendy and I love the contrast in the black and white

This was not my original design as I messed up the one i did previously. I am far happier with this design though as it really is something different for me.


As you may also be able to see is that I have gone back to the more pointy nail shape. I really do prefer this shape. What is your fave nail shape?


I used Art Club Stripers by Color Club . They are okay but they get thick everytime I use them.


I hope you like them! Please take a look at the other nail arts from this challenge by many other talented nail artists!

An InLinkz Link-up

Life in Lacquer Nail Art Challenge July: FLORAL

After a little faux pas on monday, some of you may have already seen these! I was sat in my car looking at lions in Longleat when my twitter went a bit mental as I had published the wrong post DUH!

Today's prompt is Floral... I decided to give one stroke another go.I wanted to do something very feminine so decided to use pink and of course some glitter!

A couple days ago I bought the Cupcakes and Champagne collection by Ruby Wing from a nail friend only and I couldn't resist using one!
If you didn't know the collection of polishes are all scented and they change in the sunlight!
The scent is strong even with a topcoat on, its divine!

For this look I used Essie Neo Whimsical and Color Club Strawberry Shortcake. The roses are painted using some acrylic paint.

My one stroke still needs loads of work and my middle finger is the worst but I do still like the look of this nail art and I am pretty proud of the results.

You can see the other challenge entries below and please go and give them a view. 

An InLinkz Link-up

Life in Lacquer Nail Art Challenge: BLUE featuring Video Tutorial

Another #lifeinlacquerjuly mani. How are you all liking the challenge so far? I hope your enjoying seeing others work on my Instagram!

Ive been totally overwhelmed by all the people taking part! I thought no one would so I am sooo happy you are all joining me on this!

Today is another very broad prompt...Blue. 

I chose to get my Nail Stickrs out for this one. Maybe it would have been more suited to the Geometric prompt but oh well :)

AND theres a couple videos to accompy this too! Im getting there with the whole video thing. I still find them quite hard and awkward to film but I am getting there. 

Again these are fast so I can put them on Instagram. Do you think I should make longer versions for Youtube? 

Here is how I did the gradient.....

 

And here is how I used the Nail Stickrs to create a sponge chevron.


I hope the videos go a little way in showing you how I did this look.
I am really interested to know what you think about them so please do let me know.

For this look I used Essie Butler Please, Avenue Maintain and Sweet Talker. I also used Moyra 304 on the chevron nail. 

All of this was one ontop of a white base

And then of course it needed some bling! These beautiful metal star charms are from Effect Beauty. I love them! They are slightly curved so fit to the nail really well unlike other flat charms, plus you get a decent amount for your money.

Soooo what do you think? Please check out the other blog entries from Life in Lacquer July below!

An InLinkz Link-up

**some of the products featured were sent to me as press samples. All opinions are my own**

Life in Lacquer Nail Art Challenge: GEOMETRIC

I am bowled away with the amount of people taking part and the positive feedback I have received! I have already found loads of new bloggers and nail artists, how about you?

Today's prompt is one of my fave nail art looks of all times. Geometric.

I actually did another look for this originally but I hated it so I did another. I had so many ideas but when I tried to do them they weren't turning out how I planned... One of those days where nothing went right LOL!

Glam Polish She Had A Lipstick Taser 

I love this polish! The base colour, the pink glitters, the crelly effect... EVERYTHING! Look at the way the glitter gives this polish so much depth. The hex glitter is very irregular in shape but I don't think that detracts anything from the polish.

I again used Nail Stickrs for the nail vinyls and Konad white stamping polish to do the designs.
The ring accent finger is Moyra 102 and I hand painted with acrylic paint for the pattern.

What do you think of my take on geometric? See others post from the #lifeinlacquerjuly challenge below and why not share some love and go leave a them comment :)

An InLinkz Link-up

*press sample, some products were provided for an honest review*

Life in Lacquer Nail Art Challenge:DOTS featuring Video Tutorial!

How are you enjoying the challenge so far? Please do share the challenge around so others can take part!

Today is dots. I liked this prompt as its very open and also lends itself to beginners.


I chose to do something simple AND I made a video to go with it! YAY!


Here is what I came up with.

I used Manhattan Laque Lotus and Sugar Fix by Sally Hansen (textured) 

The bow was from Poundland! 

I love the textured polish over the smooth. I think its a great way to jazz up a simple mani.

Want to see how I did it??!! NOW YOU CAN! 

It is a fast video as I planned to put them on instagram.

What do you think? Do you like to see how it was done?

Tune in soon to see the next installment in Life in Lacquer July!

An InLinkz Link-up

Life in Lacquer Nail Art Challenge:INSPIRED BY TV OR FILM

Today's prompt is Inspired by TV or Film

This one took a lot of thinking!
I had so many ideas but I thought I would go with a TV program I have watched for years and years...

Eastenders, if you aren't aware, is a British soap that runs four days a week on the BBC. I chose to try and recreate the title image.....

Taken from Wikipedia. 

I obviously simplified it down alot. 

I used a base of Manhattan 106K and OPI Nein Nein Nein Okay Fine. I used my usual sponge splodging. I then added Dont Mess With OPI by OPI for bits of greenery.
I used acrylic paint to paint and highlight the Thames and create London Dome. Yes that white circle is supposed to be The Dome.... I told you I simplified it LOL


What do you think? Do you watch Eastenders? You can find out more about Eastenders HERE

An InLinkz Link-up

Life in Lacquer Nail Art Challenge: PINK

Today is the second installment of my nail art challenge!! I hope your enjoying looking at everyones nail art so far.

Todays prompt is pink. This is a very broad prompt and could even just be a swatch of a pink polish. I wanted to do prompts that everyone could take part in, from beginners to pros.

Heres my contribution...

Why, oh why, does my camera HATE bright pinks? These colours are so funky and summer orientated. 

This is Moyra 919 and KBShimmer Belle of the Mall. I bought this thinking it was red but mine is for sure pink. Yes it is a red leaning pink but its pink none the less. it was incredibly hard to capture.

I handpainted the roses and buds using acrylic paint and my new fave brush St Petersburg from Moyra, I am incredibly happy with how they turned out. 

What do you think?

Pop on over to our Facebook page and Instagram (@lifeinlacquer) and see what everyone else has come up with :)

An InLinkz Link-up

Life in Lacquer Nail Art Challenge:FOOD

Its here! The first day of my nail art challenge! Ive never done one before so excited to see everyones work :)

The first prompt is food. I was going to do some stamping but thought I would do hand painting insted!

These are my first ever strawberry nails and I am pretty happy at how they turned out :)

For the main body of the strawberry I actualy used two reds. I used 04M and 06M both by Manhattan. You cant really see the two tones. 

I then handpainted the leaves and seeds using acrylic paint and a very thin brush by Moyra.

Topped it all off with one coat of topcoat. 

My clean up looks a bit rubbish but the red was a nightmare! Sorry!

What do you think? To see more please search for the #lifeinlacquerjuly and remember to upload your pics to our FACEBOOK

An InLinkz Link-up

LIFE IN LACQUER NAIL ART CHALLENGE

The day will soon be upon us... The start of Life in Lacquers first nail art challenge.

This is open to absolutely everyone. You do not need to be a blogger or anything. Even if you don't feel like you are any good I would still love to have you be part of this!

The reason I am running this is so we can all meet new friends and get some inspiration!


The prompts run on a Monday and a Thursday. You can post your image to our FACEBOOK page or use #lifeinlacquerjuly AND tag me @lifeinlacquer on Instagram, twitter and other medias. I will then share some on my Facebook and Instagram (with full credit of course)

You do NOT have to do every prompt if you don't feel like it.

There is also now a inlinz. So if you write a blog post you can add the inlinkz via HTML so you can all see other entries. You may add as many links as you want as long as it relates the the challenge and the links are your own. You can find the inlinkz code HERE


if you have any questions AT ALL then please drop me an email through the Contact Me/PR page above!

Cant wait to see all your efforts!

Tropical Flower Nail Art

Can I just say a massive thanks to all the lovely comments (espically on Facebook and IG) in regards to my recent one stroke nail art! I didn't think it was that good actually but its my most liked picture on Instagram! YAY! 

Inspired by that I tried one stroke again... and kind of failed.

This nail art was inspired by the lovely Gemma Lambert. She does a flower similar (but better) to the one on my middle finger in a youtube video for Naio Nails. You can see the video HERE

The middle finger isn't sooo bad but the ring finger isn't that good. Oh well, we all have to start somewhere!
I wanted to do Hibiscus flowers as this China Glaze shade is such a summer colour! Its Aztec Orange and is an orange leaning red, pretty much identical to Red Light Ahead, Where? by OPI. 
I love coral shades right now but this is pretty much red. The coverage isn't great and the picture shows 3 coats and topcoat. Its more of a jelly so even with three coats you can still see my nail line. BUT I love this shade, bring on the summer I say!
I again used the Moyra (vamp) one stroke brush and cheap acrylic paints from The Works.

What do you think of this attempt?

Moyra Nail Haul

Hey!
Isnt nail mail just the best type of mail ever?! Well it beats bills, I can tell you that!

a couple of weeks ago Moyra UK had a sale. 30% off every polish, so that made each polish only £2.10 each! Deal or what!?

I have used Moyra polishes before (review HERE) and I use their nail art brushes all the time. The polishes are fab quality for the price. They have a wide range of effects and colours. I especially like the Sands and Gel effect.

Here is what I got...

I have also ordered a few others, but they are not released until next weekend. 

I have already had a little play with these and I can say I am very happy with the quality for the price. 

Even at full price (£3) they work out cheaper than BarryM effect polishes and I can safely say I prefer these. As you all may know I hate BarryM Gelly polishes with a passion, the newer ones anyway. The formula sucks butt. They are streaky yet thick!? 

The Moyra Gel Look formula is so much better. The pink one above(919) is a one coater pretty much and not thick at all. 

I cannot fault these really. 

I will have some nail art using these to show you very soon! 

Moyra is available in the UK exclusively from Aliz on FACEBOOK (website coming soon) 

All polishes are £3 each and the postage is £3 for up to 25 polishes :) 

JULY NAIL ART CHALLENGE

In July I will be running my very own nail art challenge!
Its a first for me but I really want another way to connect with other bloggers and nail artists.

I have chosen a range of prompts. Some easier than others so there is something for everyone!

You can post your pictures on Life in Lacquers Facebook page, your Instagram, Facebook or blog. Make sure to tag them #lifeinlacquerjuly and tag me @lifeinlacquer so I can see them! My tag is always @lifeinlacquer whether it be on Facebook or Instagram.

I will then share some of the pics on my Facebook page, of course with credit!

I'm posting this now so you have loads of time to prepare lol. You dont have to do everyone, I won't hunt you down!


Will you be taking part? Let me know below!
And PLEASE share this image around and get as many people involved as we can!