OMFG, i have been so freeking lazy about my blog lately. And the reason for this is because i have also been very lazy with my nails as of late. So really, you have not been missing much. I have a few simple manis and a holo swatch from Secret Santa, but over all, not much nail action these past weeks. But today i am back, with my super cute penguin mani. I wasn't to into doing themed nails for any other holiday up until now. Christmas just has to many too cute ideas for nail art/designs. This post will be a step by step and will walk you through the basic method used to create this winter wonderland. :)
For the base....
Nubar "Baby Blue"
China Glaze "Shower Together"
China Glaze "Blue Iguana"
China Glaze "Frostbite"
Milani "Diamond Dazzle"
Foundation Sponge
I began with two coats of Nubar's "Baby Blue" Since i wanted the lightest color at the top of my gradient it had to be the base. Despite how crappy and thin the formula is on this polish it didn't matter much for this particular mani because most of it will be covered by the other blues once sponged on.
With a quarter of a foundation sponge i lightly sponged on China Glaze "Shower Together" this is my next darkest shade of blue closest to "Baby Blue." Do not cover all the Baby Blue. Leave the tops near the cuticle and spots neat the edge alone. Use the sponge to blend out the color by dragging it lightly. Don't worry to much about blending because the sparkle used later will help mesh together the blues.
My next color used was China Glaze "Blue Iguana." This was not so much of a color change but added a little tint and sparkle. I tried not to overwhelm the previous two color by only using a small amount, bringing it more to the tip and occasionally up to the top in a light spongy manner. Again, use your sponge to slightly blend together the colors.
With a much darker blue, China Glaze "Frostbite", I sponged on the rest of my gradient to the tips. Only a tiny amount of this blue was needed because it was so bold and so much darker then the other colors used. Your color layers do not have to be perfect or straight, just good enough for who it's for.
Finally, a coat of Milani "Diamond Dazzle" a clear glitter coat was used over my gradient to bring all the blues together. I only used one coat because i didn't want to much glitter. If you don't own any of these colors just find four different shades of blue, organize them lightest to darkest and use those for the gradient. To replace "Diamond Dazzle" you'll want to choose a glitter that does not come out lumpy. "Diamond Dazzle" is a very fine micro glitter which will leave you a smooth surface for your penguins.
For the penguins and snow...
OPI "I Only Date Warewolves"
Pure Ice "Super Star"
Prisma "Unknown Orange"
Dotting Tools
Tiny Paint Brush
Now you may be intimidated by the penguins, but they are very simple. Begin with your black. You can make a simple penguin shape with a normal nail polish brush. The first shape will be a skinny penguin but you can make him wider by adding more black. Very Carefully.
With Pure Ice "Super Star" you will make a similar penguin shape for the belly. Start your belly a little more then half way down from the top. Don't make your belly to large, or your penguin will look funny.
Also while you have your white out, make two white dots for the eyes with your dotting tool.
With a smaller dotting tool make two tiny black dots inside the white dots. Where you place the black dots will determine your penguin's expression, be careful not to make him too lopy.
With a small paint brush use an orange to create a small triangle for the beak, and two blobs for the feet
Again with the dotting tool and "Super Star" i made verious tiny white dots to create my snow above my penguin. Don't over load on the snow, you'll regret it.
Again with my tiny paint brush i made my snow flakes. Started with three radial white line from the corner of my nail. Then make wide "v" shapes toward the tips of the lines. Make your lines longer as needed.
Finish with a clear coat.
