Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Shellac Layering - Rose Bud and Strawberry Smoothie

One of my clients wanted to try out the layering options with Shellac as she could not decide on what colour she wanted. She has used Strawberry Smoothie and loved it, but wanted something a little different.  We went for one layer of Rosebud and one layer Strawberry SMoothie.

I think this is a great colour combination, and adds some depth to a very light colour!  I am not always good at layering as I find sometimes it can be a little streaky or nails are slightly different colours - this however works very well and very easy to achieve.

How do you get on with your layering?

Claire xxx




Friday, 15 June 2012

Shellac Nail Art Tutorial - Sponging and Free Hand - Silver Chrome & Asphalt

I was bored last Sunday and had a chance to play around with a couple of effects and the new gel paints!! I have been wanting to try using a makeup sponge as i like the fading effect and subtlety.  I used the gel paints the Sam Biddle Gel Paints that are really fantastic to try some free hand lines with a fine brush.



So, this is what I used and how I did these nails:

I used Shellac, Gel Paint and fine nail art brushes


Apply base and colour, curing as directed.


Apply a lighted colour to a makeup sponge.  Here I have cut up a large one but you can get small ones. I actually think something which is not so compact in structure might work better.


Dab on the colour where you want it and cure.


Using a fine brush apply the gel paint as you like.  I found the tip of using a pad moistened with isopropyl alcohol helpful for neatening up the lines.


I found the gel paint really manageable, it did not run, and i did all five nails without needing to cure.  When you are happy with your design, cure.


Apply top coat, remove inhibition layer and apply oil.


I hope that you like these.  Have you tried using a sponge to apply gel polish, or lacquer?

Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!!!

Claire xxx

Sunday, 20 May 2012

New Shellac Colours

I am slowly getting to use all the new Shellac colours!! I do like them! I just need to find a better wasy of storing them as I have filled all my wall space!  Below are the six new colours released in the UK in March 2012. These colours are all wearable and offer some different looks which is just what Shellac needed to do.

So here they are:

I have used Silver Chrome on toes - these will be great for the summer as well as the holidays and special occassions.  I have a wedding coming up, i think with a black dress and black peep toes this will look great!!!





The Dark Lava colour has been really popular, and I think will be great for the winter.  It has a deep red shommer to it, but also looks purple or brown in different lighting.




I have used Rock Royalty with the Gold VIP Status Shimmer.  This is much more subtle than the glitters, and thie effect I think will be wearable for clients.


I love the Rubble colour, it is very similar to the OPI 'You Don't Know Jacques' which I have found very popular.  It goes with everything and can see this being very popular.


I used CityScape with the new VIP Status in Silver.  This is a great mix and a lovely dove grey colour which is very shiney.  The Shimmer in the VIP Status I think sets it off nicely.


Thanks for reading!
Claire x

Wednesday, 21 March 2012

Cityscape Shellac with Silver VIP Status

So... I finally got my new Shellac colours out the box!!!

First up is Cityscape - a colour I would describe as 'Dove Grey' it really is a lovely neutral, great for spring!  I just had to try the Silver VIP status - and I think it looks, well just lovely!!

I can't wait for my weekend clients where I hope to try out the others!!

Claire xx

Sunday, 4 March 2012

Shellac Asphalt with Blackpool Nail Art -Including Removal

I have not posted for so long, I'm sorry!! I started a new job and my feet haven't touched the ground!!!

Here is an update that a did a week or so ago.  I have taken a picture of removing my Shellac after 11 days (I wanted a new colour) and what it looks like, as well as reoing my nails with Shellac using the Asphalt Grey colour with a few stripes using my trusty sable striping brush!!

What do you think? I can't wait to get my hands on the new colours out in the UK this week!!

Claire xxx
Fedora with Zillionaire after 11 days

5 minutes soaking using 'Magi Wraps' and it all comes off

My natural nails - they are discoloured from an old polish I used a while ago!!

Shellac in Asphalt with Blackpool Stripes

Shellac in Asphalt with Blackpool Stripes

Shellac in Asphalt with Blackpool Stripes

Sunday, 22 January 2012

Shellac Hollywood Nails

This weekend I am wearing Shellac in 'Hollywood'.  This is a bright red with a slight golden shimmer.  It is similar in colour to Wildfire just with a shimmer!  I think, as with all Shellac there is great coverage, depth of colour and most of all shiny!!
Its so cold at the moment and I am loving the warmer and brighter colours!  My clients are also leaning to the reds, browns and purple colors.

Hope you have a great week!

Claire xxx





One coat of Hollywood Shellac

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

OPI Pink Shatter - Supporting Breast Cancer Research @ the Marsden Hospital *Pink Wednesday*

Hey All,

For this Pink Wednesday I have found some pictures of my pink shatter.  As you know I am a complete Shatter Addict and have all the OPI shatter colours and am a regular user of them!!

The Pink Shatter is the 2011 pink from OPI in aid of Breast Cancer Research at monies are going to the research unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.

I have used it over OPI's Alpine Snow & Lady In Black.  The pink is pearlescent and I think more similar in colour to Pompeii Purple that any other of their pinks.  I thought that this would be more like their red/black shatter (a more matte opaque colour) but I do like this and think it will look good over lighter colours - it was not so good over the black, but you only learn by trying it out!!

Anyways, I love it! Hope you have a good rest of the week!

Claire
xxx

OPI Pink Shatter

OPI Pink Shatter

OPI Pink Shatter