Icy Graphic Nails (Winter Concert)

Soooo, after a great weekend full of sparkling red and silver, I decided to do something I haven't tried for a while...PATTERNS.  I love them and with the last week before school ended for break I had to use my copious free time in some useful manner.

This look is a take on something I believe I saw in a last year's Seventeen magazine with my personal twist.  What's great is that each time you do this look it changes.   It can look super sharp or artistic depending on the line thickness and straightness (is that a word?), and the colors add different effects.  I decided for the encore of our concert, to be performed in front of the school, I would go for a wintry palette to reflect the (hopefully) forthcoming snow.

Directions:

1.  Prep the nail by cutting, filing, buffing and applying a pre-manicure coat.

2.  Cover the nail in two coats of a base color, preferably light.  I chose the light blue Natural Environ-mint.  It ended up being a little streaky even with two coats so I added a more sea greenish Bonita color (the brand is Bonita, there is no shade listed).  That color didn't appear but it did tidy up the base more.

3.  Then begin applying random geometric lines.  I used the Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in Blue which I DO NOT RECOMMEND.  It takes a lot of pressure to release the color and it then ruins the pattern you want to apply.  I suggest pushing it out onto a plastic container where it won't dry fast (I used an empty contact container) and dipping a skewer.  If you have a better fine lined pen, by all means use it.

4.  Apply a fill color in non-touching spaces.  As a finishing touch to make it more wintry I used Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Pedal to the Medal to fill in a couple spots.  It really makes a difference.

5.  Make sure to wait a while to dry and then apply a top coat.  Voila!

Snaps for my first tutorial!  It's really eye catching and I got a lot of comments.

I'm thinking of doing an experimental nail day where I paint each of my nails a different style and do a tutorial for each?  Whoever is reading out there, lemme know what you think!

Short Review of the Natural Environ-mint color from the Sephora by OPI Collection - similar to How Cute Is That and the other pastel colors, Natural Environ-mint get's very streaky and requires more than just two coats.  But the color is quite adorable and with a mixture of formulas with the Bonita blue it's great.

Coming up - Vacation in Florida nails!