Mani-Monday: Sugar Skull

Since Halloween is right around the corner, I thought I would create something for it. I was inspired by the Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos), which is a holiday that focuses on remembering the friends and family members who have passes on. For this nail design I wanted to create a Sugar Skull, which is used in honoring the deceased. There are so many beautiful interpretations and creation of the Sugar Skull, but my main inspiration for my nail design this week was a picture by Misscarissrose on Instagram (http://instagram.com/p/dQ-EtTOMXD/). I had a lot of fun creating this nail look and loved the way it turned out! To get this look:

Mani-Monday: Fall Sparkle

 

This nail design may be one of my favorites because it is so simple and quick to create, yet is it so classy and it’s something different than just a simple plain mani. My Mint Sparkle nail look was so popular that I thought I would recreate it with a different color combination. You can create this design with so many different colors. To get this look:

 

You will need:

Base coat

Dark green nail polish

Sparkly green nail polish

Top coat

Makeup Sponge (optional)

 

Step 1: First, apply your base coat. Then apply two coats of your dark green polish. I used ‘Dark Room’ by Sephora by OPI. Let it dry for a few minutes.

 

Step 2: Next, using your sparkly green nail polish (you can use a gold or silver too), I used ‘Leaf Him at the Altar’ by Sephora by OPI, apply some on a small piece of makeup sponge and start lightly patting it along the cuticle only going halfway on the nail. Then pat on some more only at the base to intensify the color. Try to create a fading effect.

**If you do not have a makeup sponge, you can simply just use the brush of the polish. Using your sparkly green polish, start lightly applying the polish in upward strokes at the cuticle and stopping about half way. Try to create a fading effect. Apply the sparkly green polish over again but this time just at the base of the cuticle.**

 

Step 3: Lastly, apply a top coat and you’re done! It is classy and perfect for fall. Also it is so simple and quick!

Mani-Monday: Stripes and Flowers

This week I created a simple nail look with a pop of color. It has a summery and girly feel. This nail design may take a while to create, but you are left with a great nail look. To get this look:

 

You will need:

Base coat

White nail polish

Black nail polish

Pink neon nail polish

Green neon nail polish

Top coat

Striping tape

Dotting tool or toothpick

 

Step 1: First, apply your base coat. Then apply two coats of your white polish, I used ‘Porcelain Party’ by Maybelline. Wait for your nails to completely dry. Waiting for your nails to dry is important because if your nails are still wet the tape will lift the nail polish).

 

 

Step 2: Apply a piece of striping tape vertically. Then leave a little bit of space and apply another piece of striping tape. Then leave a bit of space again and apply another piece of striping tape. Then leave a bit of space again and apply your last piece of striping tape. (LIKE THE PICTURE BELOW) 

 

Step 3: Using your black polish, I used ‘Onyx Rush’ by Maybelline, paint over the striping tape. Make sure to avoid applying the black polish outside the last two pieces of striping tape. Peel the striping tape off immediately (peel it off slowly). (LIKE THE PICTURE BELOW)

 

 

Step 4: Then, using your dotting tool or toothpick, dip it into your neon pink polish, I used ‘24/7’ by Sinful Colors, and dot five circles to create a flower. Then dip your dotting tool or toothpick into your green neon polish, I used ‘Summer Rain’ by Duri, and create a dot in the middle of the flower.

 

Step 5: Lastly, apply a generous amount of top coat and you are done!

Mani-Monday: Studded Camo

 

Studded camouflage items have definitely come back into style and can be seen in any store. With this week’s nail design, I was inspired by this trend. I created a camouflage nail print and then dotted gold down the center of my nail. If you don’t have any studded camo pieces in your closet, why not wear them on your nails! To get this look:

 

You will need:

Base coat

Light green nail polish

Dark green nail polish

Brown nail polish

Black nail polish

Gold nail polish

Matte top coat

Dotting tool or toothpick

 

Step 1: First, apply your base coat. Then apply two coats of your light green polish, I used ‘It’s Totally Karma’ by Sephora by OPI. Allow to dry for a few minutes.

 

Step 2: Now, apply patches of the dark green, brown, and black on the nail. First, using your darker green polish, I used ‘Leaf Him at the Altar’ by Sephora by OPI, make a few randomly places patches. Then, using your brown polish, I used ‘milk chocolate chunk’ by Sephora, repeat the same step and create a few randomly place patches and you can even overlap the green to create a more camo look. Lastly, repeat this step again and over lapping the other colors, but this time using the black polish, I used ‘Where’s the Soiree’ by Color Club.

 

Step 3: Next, apply your matte top coat. Allow it to dry a few minutes. 

 

Step 4: Lastly, using your dotting tool or toothpick, dip it into the gold polish, I used ‘Charge It!’ by Sephora by OPI, and create dots down the center of your nail. (You can also use studs if you would like). Applying the gold after applying the matte top coat allows the gold to still have a shine rather than it being matte. Then you’re done! Show off those trendy studded camo nails.

Mani-Monday: Neon French

 

I love neon nail polishes, especially for the summer. This time I wanted to create something simple with bright colors. This nail design allows us to take a twist on the classic French manicure by adding color and lines. It’s fun and easy, but it does take a bit longer than other designs because of the drying time. To get this nail look:

 

You will need:

Base coat

White nail polish

Pink neon nail polish

Green neon nail polish

Top coat

Striping tape

 

Step 1: First, apply your base coat. Then apply two coats of your white polish, I used ‘White Hot’ by Sephora by OPI. Wait for your nails to completely dry. Waiting for your nails to dry is important because if your nails are still wet the tape will lift the nail polish).

Step 2: Apply striping tape on the very tip of your nail. Then leave a little bit of space and apply another piece of striping tape. Then leave a bit of space again and apply another piece of striping tape. (LIKE THE PICTURE BELOW)

 

 

Step 3: On the top space apply the green neon polish, I used ‘Summer Rain’ by Duri. Then on the bottom space apply the pink neon polish, I used ‘24/7’ by Sinful Colors. Peel the striping tape off immediately (peel it off slowly). (LIKE THE PICTURE BELOW)

 

 

Step 4: Then, Lastly, apply a top coat and you are done! Simple, fun, and colorful mani’s are just the best.

Mani-Monday: Rainbow Leopard

A few days ago I decided to treat myself to a little shopping spree. And that spree came out to buying 11 new nail polishes (I posted a picture on my Instagram. Follow thatbeautysecret)! I am one HAPPY girl right now…

 

 

When I buy something new, I am the kind of person that likes to wear it or try it right away. So after getting all those colorful new colors I just had to create something that used most of the colors. And this colorful rainbow leopard print nail design was created. It is so fun and summery. I used a lot of different colors, however, you do not have to use as many. You can use 1, 2, 3, or however many as you would like. To get this look:

 

You will need:

Base coat

White nail polish

Light green nail polish

Dark green nail polish

Purple nail polish

Blue nail polish

Pink nail polish

Orange nail polish

Yellow nail polish

Toothpick or dotting tool

Top coat

 

Step 1: First, apply your base coat. Then apply two coats of your white polish. I used ‘White Hot’ by Sephora by OPI. Wait a few minutes for your nails to dry.

 

Step 2: Next, using a toothpick or dotting tool, dip it in each color and create the leopard pattern. I used ‘Yellow Umbrella’ by Sephora, ‘Myrtille’ by Sephora, ‘Picnic in the Park’ by Sephora, ‘Domestic Goddess’ by Sephora by OPI, ‘Caliente Coral’ by Sephora by OPI, ‘It’s Totally Karma’ by Sephora by OPI, and ‘I’m Wired’ by Sephora by OPI. 

 

Step 3: Then, Lastly, apply a top coat and voila! Your fun and colorful leopard nails are done.

Mani-Monday: Green Stripes

The first time I saw this nail polish color I fell in LOVE! The color screams summer. I just needed to have it. I created this nail look with this green neon polish as the standout. Your nails are sure to be the center of attention with this new look. To get this look:

 

You will need:

Base coat

Black nail polish

Green nail polish

Top coat

Striping tape or scotch tape

 

Step 1: First, apply your base coat. Then apply two coats of your black polish. I used ‘Where’s the Soiree’ by Color Club. Wait for your nails to completely dry. 

 

Step 2: Next, using your striping tape or scotch tape, place it in the areas you want to stay black. Then using your green polish, I used ‘Summer Rain’ by Duri, apply two coats over the striping tape. Now do NOT wait for the nail polish to dry to take the tape off. Immediately but slowly take the tape off. (note: you can apply the tape on all your nails, but then apply the green polish and take the tape off one finger at a time, therefore not to let the polish dry).

 

Step 3: Lastly, apply a generous amount of top coat and you’re done! Show off this interesting new nail art.

Mani-Monday: Tropical Flowers

 

The weather has been getting warmer and warmer and I wanted to create some fun and tropical nails. These nails just make me think of Hawaii and the beach. Oh how much I wish I could be lying on the beach on some island right now. Well I unfortunately cannot be there but my nails will bring that tropical feel for me. I used a lot of different colored nail polishes but you can use only two different colors or use as many or as little as you desire. To get this look:

 

You will need:

Base coat

White nail polish

Green nail polish

Yellow nail polish

Purple nail polish

Pink nail polish

Blue nail polish

Orange nail polish

Black acrylic

Striping brush or toothpick

Top coat

 

Step 1: First, apply your base coat. Then apply 1-2 coats of your white polish. I used ‘White Hot’ by Sephora by OPI.

 

Step 2: Next, using your green nail polish, I used ‘Twiggie’ by Color Club, yellow nail polish, I used ‘Yellow Umbrella’ by Sephora, purple polish, I used ‘Jo’mina’ by Illamasqua, pink nail polish, I used ‘Venom’ by Duri, blue nail polish, I used ‘Calypso Blue’ by Sally Hansen, and orange nail polish, I used ‘Orange Fix’ by Maybelline, paint on the flowers on each of your nails like in the picture above. Wait a few minutes for your nails to dry a bit before you start applying the black lines. 

 

Step 3: Then, using your striping brush or toothpick, dip it in the black acrylic and draw on the lines starting from the center of the flower. Then draw on the three dots near the tops of the lines. Wait about 15 minutes for your nails to dry.

 

Step 4: Lastly, using a generous amount, apply a top coat and you’re done! Have fun with those tropical nails and go show them off.

Mani-Monday: Pastel Spring

I love the look of each nail having a different design on it. This style has become quite popular. I put together some Spring colors and created this nail look. It took some time to create but the end result was all worth it.

 

You will need:

Base coat

White nail polish

Mint green nail polish

Light pink/coral nail polish

Light purple nail polish

Silver striping tape

Top coat

 

Step 1: First, apply your base coat. Then apply 1-2 coats of your white polish. I used ‘White Hot’ by Sephora by OPI.

 

Step 2: Next, using your mint green nail polish, I used ‘Mint Mist’ by Maybelline, light pink/coral nail polish, I used ‘Van D’Go’ by Essie, and light purple polish, I used ‘Lilacism’ by Essie, paint on a section of each color on each of your nails. Let your nails dry completely.

 

Step 3: Then, using your striping tape in silver, apply it on the areas where each color meets.

 

Step 4: Lastly, apply a top coat and VOILA, a fun springy nail look.

Makeup Monday: Emerald Eyes

 

According to Sephora, the color of the year is emerald. Check out their color of the year collection. After seeing the collection and gorgeous colors, I was inspired to try out a look using emerald colors. I absolutely love this color; therefore, I was so excited to create a look with it. This look is also great for St. Patrick’s Day which is just around the corner!

1.  Apply the emerald eye shadow color (88 Ultra Shimmer Eye Shadow Palette by Coastal Scents) to your lid.

2.  Blend ‘Tease’ (Naked Palette 2) along the crease of your eye and along your lower lash line. Also, sweep #1 lightly along your lower lash line. Apply ‘Foxy’ (Naked Palette 2) to your brow bone.

3.  Using a black gel eyeliner (I use Clinique brush-oncream liner) line your upper lash line and blend it out using a blending brush (I use a MAC 217 blending brush).

4.  Apply black eyeliner or the same gel liner you used for your lash line in your waterline. Using Illamasqua ‘Breathe’, highlight your tear duct or inner corner of your eye.

5.  Curl your lashes and apply mascara.

NOTE: You can substitute the products I used, such as eye shadows and brushes, for different ones.

TREND ALERT: Spring 2013 Makeup Trends

Winter is coming to an end and spring is coming our way. FINALLY warmer weather! So what are the must-have makeup trends for Spring 2013. Well these anticipated makeup trends consist of everything from neutral eyes and a pop of red lip to glowing skin and full eyebrows.

Image: Google

I love this combination of minimal makeup on the eyes and a strong red lip. Having a neutral eye allows the attention to be put on that beautiful red pout. Another trend for Spring 2013 is a full brow. It was seen all over the runway during fashion week. So don't be afraid and pull out that red lipstick and brow kit and try it out.

Image: Harper's Bazaar

Perfect yet imperfect eyeliner. The cat eye has become a huge trend within the last year. However, this years Spring trend is softly smudged eyeliner. Smudging your eyeliner just a bit gives your eyes a sultrier look. Apply any eye shadow color you prefer to your lid and lower lashes and then using a gel eyeliner, my favorite is Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner  in True Black ($15, sephora.com) apply it to your upper lashline and trace a little on your lower lash and inner rim. Use a blending brush to slightly smudge out the eyeliner.

Image: Harper's Bazaar

Fuller lashes can change a whole makeup look. This coming season, really coat on your mascara to achieve this full on lashes Spring 2013 trend. Try out Maybelline Volum' Express The Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara ($6.99, ulta.com) or Benefit They're Real! Mascara ($23.00, sephora.com). Give your eyes a flirtier look with fuller lashes.

Image: Harper's Bazaar

Along with these other trends, blues and greens were seen on the runways of fashion week as well. This look can be very versatile. Try out a smokey blue (Almay Eyeshadow Trio Smoky in Smoky Blue, $6.99, ulta.com) or green eye look or line your waterline with blue or green eyeliner. If you are brave enough, try out blue or green mascara on your lashes or just lower lashes.

 Images: Harper's Bazaar

Glow, glow, glow! A popular makeup trend this Spring is dewy, glowing skin. Achieve this look by applying a highlighter (NARS Illuminator, $30.00, sephora.com) to the tops of your cheekbones, down the bridge of your nose, on the brow bone, a little on the temples and chin, and on the cupids bow above your lip.

So now that you know some of the anticipated Spring 2013 makeup trends, give them a try. I definitely will be!