Patterned Polish of the Week #4

So after a week away 'Patterned Polish of the Week' is back and in my opinion, better than ever (although I am biased!) with more of a classic, occasion nail look this week; a french manicure with a twist.

I haven't done a french manicure on my nails for soooo long so when I came to dig out a french polish set, I found myself a difficult challenge. I was so set on this design that I had to make do with what I'd got. So in the end I found an Avon Nail Experts French Manicure Set of which the nudey pink colour was still the right consistency, and used Barry M Nail Paint in White for the tips which worked surprisingly well! For the super glossy finish I used my all time FAVOURITE top coat which is made my Color Club.

So here is the french manicure which provides the foundation for this week's 'Patterned Polish'. I have to say I'm pretty pleased with it to say I haven't done it for so long, I'd go as far as saying it look pretty professional! Once again I'm pretty biased though!

Then comes the nail stamping! This week I wanted something pretty and subtle to maintain the classy look of a french manicure, but at the same time make it look special and unique. Therefore I chose a simple flower design from the Konad M20 Stamping Plate.

And here is the outcome! I have to say I love it and once I've purchased a new french manicure kit I'll be doing it again!

So what do you think of this weeks 'Patterned Polish of the Week'? Do you have a french manicure polish kit that you can recommend?

 

Patterned Polish of the Week! | #1

Taking inspiration from my blog's name, 'Patterned Polish of the Week' is my new weekly segment which showcases my love of nail stamping and each week's chosen design! I got into nail stamping around a year ago and surprised at how easy it was, and how good nail art created with stamping looked, I quickly became addicted.

So for this week, and the very first 'Patterned Polish of the Week', which nail stamping design from Konad M63 did I choose...??

It's the Dogtooth pattern!

At first I considered stamping a traditional black and white but as I wanted to keep my nails pretty summery, I decided to go for something for a little different!

So here's what I came up with!

Classic dogtooth nails with a summery twist!

The base was created using Barry M Nail Paint in Turquoise. I had a tidy/clear out of my ever expanding nail polish collection yesterday and came across this polish which I haven't used in so long and had pretty much forgotten about! It's such a lovely colour for summer!

For the stamped dogtooth designed, I used both the Konad M63 Stamping Plate and Konad Special Stamping Polish in White. 

I think the colours really complement each other and give a perfect twist on classic dogtooth print!

As you can see from the close up of this design, the stamp didn't transfer perfectly in some places but overall I'm really pleased with the results!

Do you like the idea of me posting a weekly 'Patterned Polish of the Week'? Have you ever tried nail stamping? What do you think of the twist on the classic black and white dogtooth print?

Lilac Ribbon Nails!

So after lots and lots and LOTS of university essays and exams, I'm finally almost free with only one more exam in two weeks time! So that means I can FINALLY focus my attention and getting my blog up and running properly!

So tonight I'm going to see Little Mix on their Salute tour to celebrate my little sister's 18th birthday and I'M SO EXCITED! And less university work and an event can only mean one thing - making my nails pretty!

With the weather being earlier in the week and it having turned awful now, I decided I would use a lilac pastel polish to inject some summer into my life. I settled on a Color Club lilac polish (not sure of the name.. I got it in a set for Christmas from one of my best friends!) 

For the ribbon effect on the nails, I used  Konad Image Plate M63 with Konad Special Polish White and I really like how it came out! 

I especially LOVE the Color Club Top Coat! It protects my nails from chipping so well and they always look so glossy and feel ridiculously smooth! If you're looking for a new top coat to try out, I'd definitely recommend this one!

Anyway, must dash because I have a concert to get ready for! But keep an eye out on my blog because I'll be posting a lot more now that I have more free time to focus on getting posts up!

 I finally gave in and got the Real Techniques Core Collection (I know, I'm a million years too late) so I can't wait to try them out and see if they live up to the hype! A review will be incoming!

My favourite nail design... so far!

So ever since I started nail stamping around 6 months ago, I'm obsessed with trying new stamps, polishes and combinations.

I just thought I'd do a quick post and share with you my favourite design I've done so far...

 

 

These are my owl and heart nails, done using Rimmel Salon Pro in Peppermint (which I love!). I then stamped with Konad Special Polish in White with plate M89. When this was dry I stamped the owls and hearts with Konad Special Polish in Black, the owls are M95 and the hearts are M83.

 

 

Hope you like them as much as I do!

 

Laura xxx

Tiger Nails!

So I've been racking my brains to try and decide what to write my first real post about and so I thought I would share with you my nails at them moment and my reasons behind them.

So here are my tiger nails...

 

They're a little messy but I did them quickly in the dark! Most of the time I use my Konad nail stamping kit for my nails, hence my name Patterned and Polished! Nail stamping involves using an engraved metal plate, over which you paint on a layer of polish, you then scrape this off using the scraper (or an old credit card will do) to reveal the pattern. You then pick that up with a special stamper and apply to this nail! Next thing you know you have perfectly printed nails without spending time and the stress of painting them all individually! (If you're interested in nail stamping, take a look at my Instagram account, which I've linked at the top of my page, and you can see all my designs from over the past 6 months!)

 

Now to the reason behind my nails! Behind the girly, nail polish loving me, I LOVE football. In particular, I love my local team, Hull City AFC. I've supported them for as long as I can remember, got my first ever shirt when I was 3 and went to my first game at 5! I'm now almost 21 and a season ticket holder. If you don't know, Hull City are also known as the Tigers, hence the nails!

 

Anyway, I've come to regard my tiger nails as a bit of a lucky charm, so I always put the design on my nails whenever there's a big game; it worked last Saturday, we won!

 

I hope you've enjoyed my first real post and be sure to pop back for more if you did!

 

Laura xxx