Holi Manicure

Holi, (Pronounced the same as "Holy"), also known as the Festival of Colours is a Spring Festival. To quote Wikipedia, " It is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities. Holi celebrations start with a Holika bonfire on the night before Holi where people gather, sing and dance. The next morning is free for all carnival of colours, where everyone plays, chases and colours each other with dry powder and coloured water, with some carrying water guns and coloured water-filled balloons for their water fight. Anyone and everyone is fair game, friend or stranger, rich or poor, man or woman, children and elders. The frolic and fight with colours occurs in the open streets, open parks, outside temples and buildings." I found this Youtube video for Holi, that you may like to see.

I decided on this colourful manicure to celebrate Holi. This manicure also uses my Tri Polish Challenge colours.

Blue, Green, Purple Stamped Gradient - Tri Polish Tuesday

The colours for Tri Polish Tuesday for March are Blue, Green and Purple. I thought this combination would be good for a gradient. I also stamped a pretty pattern on top to add to it.

I painted the nails with Klean Color Metallic Aqua. I then sponged on the gradient with Klean Color Metallic Aqua, Green and Purple. I stamped an image from the MoYou London plate 05 from the Sailor Collection with Color Club Harp On It. The stamping is subtle so it keeps the focus on the vibrant colours of the gradient.

Neon Hearts French Manicure

The Valentine's Day theme continues with a Neon Hearts & coloured French Tips manicure. I got these cute neon heart rhinestones off eBay and I thought they would go beautifully with my Neon Pink polish. Since its such a bright pop of colour, I thought it would look good as a heart shaped French manicure tip to mirror the shape of the rhinestone. I don't do this type of a manicure often but I love this look!

The nails are painted with OPI Don't Touch My Tutu! I did the tips with Kleancolor Neon Pink. I outlined the heart shaped tips with a small, thin striper brush and then filled it in with polish. Then on three fingers, I dotted the outline with Kleancolor Neon Amethyst. And on the thumb and ring finger, I added the heart rhinestones with top coat.

Textured Stamped Roses

I think I've said this before that I never thought I would like textured polish but I've loved them since the first time I used one. And I really like stamping over them. Although, after this manicure I realised that bold images with thick lines show up the best with textured polishes. I used OPI My Favourite Ornament as the base polish for this manicure - its a very pretty Champagne glitter. I don't think OPI states clearly that its textured (not to my knowledge, anyway!) but it does have a fine textured effect to it.

I stamped on top with Klean Color Metallic Purple (on the accent nail) and Metallic Pink. The images are from the MoYou London image plate 04 from the Pro Collection. The Klean Color Metallic Pink is so highly pigmented that it stained my stamper - but it does stamp very well. I didn't use any topcoat on these nails to keep the textured effect.

Tri Polish Challenge 2014

I haven't posted in the last few days because I got a nasty cut on a finger and thought I would give it a few days to heal. Its still not healed completely but its better. Also, I broke a nail quite badly and had to cut my nails really short. I like my nails a tiny bit longer for nail art but they'll have to do for the next week or so! I am also planning to invest in a couple of nail products to strengthen my nails some more. If they work, I will post a review.

I am starting the Tri Polish Challenge for 2014 today. The rules of the challenge are that we post up to four manicures a month from the three colours chosen for each month. Black, white, gold, silver and glitter are allowed for nail art. At least, one of these manicures should use all three of the colours and the others, at least two of the chosen colours.

The colours for the Tri Polish Challenge for January 2014 are: Red, Orange, Yellow.

I chose the colours yellow and orange for my first post in the challenge.

The yellow polish is NYC Lexington Yellow. The stamping has been done with Klean Color Metallic Orange. The images are from the XL Image Plate A.