Trending: Spring/Summer 2012 Nail Trends

The fashion of season of spring begins in March, a month from now. So, I've complied a series of nail trends to welcome spring/summer 2012  ;) Still don't have a good camera to photograph my own polish, so I'm borrowing from other sources to show you swatches of the colors. In no particular order:

1. Greens
Recall: 2010 was the year of the yellows, 2011 was the year of the turquoise. This year, green will be the it-color of the season. From light mint greens to beautiful teal shades ;)

Essence King of Mint, Flickr

2. Nudes
Nude colors are romantic, elegant and feminine. Not only are they suitable for professional settings, these colors are also quickly becoming a fashion statement.

Essence French Nude, meinerosawelt.blogspot.com

3. Orange
Tangerine was named Pantone's color of the year. Orange has been spotted on numerous runways and it's quickly becoming a hot trend. Every hot chick needs this sassy, eye-catching, sexy color!

Essence Wake Up, rightonthenail.com

4. Glitter
Fun, flirty, and easy to create! Glittery manicures are going to be big this season.

Essence Space Queen, alllacqueredup.com

5. Nail Art
Nail art doesn't have to be over the top and hard to do. Simple designs like polka dots, stripes, half-moons, funky french tips can do wonders to spice up a monotonous manicure. Ladies around the world are realizing that cute manicures can be done in the comfort of their own homes for much less. I mean, just observe the nails around you the next time you go out. You'd be surprise to see how popular nail art is ;)

I still don't have a proper camera to document my nail art :( Pictures from the previous posts were from hand phone. But fret not, I will continue to post nail art ideas ;) Stay tune!

My nails! Ideas enough to last from Monday to Saturday. Hah :D

FYI: I am not being sponsored by Essence or anything. Just that lately I've been obsessed with this brand. It applies smoothly and the brush fans out nicely for even application. Some colors are rather sheer but with a few coats it dries out perfectly.

If you are not one that keeps up with trends, no harm investing in classic, evergreen colors like reds and neutrals ;)

NOTD: Chocolate Indulgence

WHO HERE LOVES CHOCOLATE?

It's quite safe to say that chocolate is one of the world's favorite flavor. Did you know Chocolate Day is celebrated on the 7th of July each year? This chocolatey half-moon manicure won't soothe your chocolate cravings but it sure is easy on the eye and to create. Oooh, and its perfect for all you people lucky enough to work with chocolate!

Doesn't it remind you of chocolate fudge on a brownie? :D

Instructions for a half-moon manicure: http://polisheddiaries.blogspot.com/2012/01/tutorial-half-moon-manicure.html 

Just switched up the colors to create finger licking nails ;) You can stick on nail gems/studs to resemble chocolate chips, cherries or other toppings!

Polishes used:
Dark brown: Elianto Dark Plum
Metallic brown: brandless

Base coat and top coat by Faceshop

Tell me about: Gel Nails

This post was inspired by my cousin's latest manicure; mmm hhmm gel nails! They can last for up to 3 weeks without any chipping! I just love the perfectly smooth and even texture of the nails and it still looks soooo natural.

So, what are gel nails? Gel nails are extremely natural looking artificial nails that most closely resemble our actual nails. Although similar to acrylic nails, gel nails contain an additional short chain monomers which make the nails more flexible. They are also odorless, clear, and light weight. Due to increasing popularity, gel nails are now available in kits so that women can easily apply them at home. Awesome, no?

nailsartgallery.info

myeasynaildesigns.com

Check out how glossy and even the nails are?

I have yet to try it out so I'm not too familiar with the application and removal of the gel nails. Dying to try it out at a nail salon! Do leave comments if you know more ;)

Tutorial: Tuxedo Manicure

"I am wearing a gown but my nails are wearing tuxedos," Zooey Deschanel tweeted. Spotted on her nails during the 2012 Golden Globes, this design can be easily done at home. Very suitable for short nails too!

Zooey Deschanel's nails

My nails. FORGOT ABOUT THEM BOWS!

Steps:
1. Paint your entire nail a colour which you want the "shirt" to be. I chose a baby pink but Zooey's was a solid white.
2. Paint the tips of your nails black. Use manicure strips or cellophane tape to guide you for extra precision.
3. To draw the bow, use a dotting tool/toothpick/sewing pin to draw a small dot. Draw two bigger dots on both sides of the small dot, forming a bow like shape.
4. Add 3 dots to resemble the buttons.
5. (Optional) Paint a layer of duo-chromatic glitter.
6. Seal in with a top coat and voilà!

Polishes used:
Pink polish and the glitter polish by Sasa
Base coat and top coat by Faceshop

Even nails need to suit up! ;)

Trending: Gradient/Ombre Manicure

My twist on the Ombre Manicure made popular by fashionista Lauren Conrad ;) Gradient nails have also been seen on the runway of Jen Kao for Spring 2012.

My version :)

Painted my entire nails a deep green. Proceeded to paint the top 2/3 of my nails a dark blue. Finally, painted the tips a dark brown. So freaking easy, no tutorial needed ;)

Polishes used: 
Green: Elianto Deep Sea Green
Blue: Elianto Blue Splash
Dark brown: Elianto Dark Purple (looks like dark brown)
Base coat and top coat by Faceshop

Tutorial: Half Moon Manicure

Gray is the current IT-colour for the fall/winter season! Spotted on runways, all the way to hit shows like 90210, this elegant colour is back! If gray is too dull a colour for you, pump it up with a metallic colour as shown in this half moon manicure technique ;)

Steps:
1. Paint whole nail the base colour (gold). Leave to dry.
2. Place reinforcement tape/ round labeling sticker on bottom 1/3 of the nail securely. Paint the other colour (gray) on the exposed 2/3 of the nail.
3. Allow some time for it to dry partially. SLOWLY remove the tape.
4. Seal in with top coat.

Tips: 
A solid color paired with a shimmery/metallic color works best. Two solid colors work well too.
Possible combinations: turquoise & a nude color; liquid silver & black; deep red & beigh; sea green & gold

Polishes used:
Gray: self-mixed frankenpolish
Gold: Faceshop GL111
Base coat and top coat by Faceshop

Sorry about the poor lighting and smudges around the skin. Trust me when I say it looks way better under the sun ;)

Hello world :)

6/7 days a week, my nails are painted; 8/10 trips to the mall, results in more nail polish. I can go on and on about the statistics, but I think you get the picture ;)

My dream, is to have every single colour in the world. Totally obsessed with my nails! Not only is it a form of self-expression, I find peace and pleasure in painting them.

So, this blog is dedicated to all things polish related and more! As of now, I don't have a proper camera, but as soon as I get one, this blog will start rollin'.