Quick Mini Mani-fixes

I normally wear a manicure for a few days before I change it. Sometimes I`m pressed for time and need to come up with something to fix a chipped tip or do a cover  up of a really wrecked polish. My go to miracle worker is often my crackle polishes. They can mask a dented or dinged nail in seconds without having to pull out the remover, cotton balls and deciding on an entirely new mani. By adding a design, a coat of glitter, crackle or just a new clear coat you can hide most boo-boos. Other times, I like the color of the polish I have on and decide to dress it up into something different. I usually do a mani that can be "converted" later on in the week. I do this simply because it is quicker and it's one less time my nails are exposed to the harsh chemicals of the nail polish remover.  An understated french tip can be dressed up with polka dots or a stamped image, a base color can be fashion forward with a bold design. It's easy to go from drab to fab in just a few short minutes. Sometimes I'll cover up most nails and leave an accent nail of the original design. : )

I liked the leaf stamp image from the previous post- a quick change up with a gold crackle and a top coat.

                                                                           

Love this slate blue, but I dinged it up at work.....

Add a cloud design of a darker blue and Viola ! all dings hidden!

French mani- in fall colors...

Accent nail

After a few days the "leaves" were chipped, so I painted each nail a different color, and added a polka dot accent nail.

The start of Christmas nails for Black Friday, a nice deep red, however- I didn't let them dry enough and took the laundry from the dryer... instant texture (yuck!) ... quick cover with glitter!!

. . . . Nail Stamping . . .

                 I get tons of compliments on my nails, (hence the start of this blog), but part of my "success," is from nail stamping. A quick and easy way to add designs and images to your nails without the need for stickers or expensive trips to the nail salon. I can change my nails to match my outfit or mood or whatever odd whim I have at the time. Nail stamping images can be anything from flowers, hearts and peace signs to characters, holiday images and words. They can be a simple accent image or one that covers your entire nail. There are different companies that make stamping plates. I use" Bundle Monster," I bought it from Amazon.com. Aside from the plates you need the stamper, scraper and nail polish. Most brands of nail polish will work, "Konad," is a big brand that pushes their polish- but it is expensive and not necessary. I have great success with Wet n' Wild creme colors, Sinful Colors and Pure Ice brands. If I use a glitter polish it has to be one that is "glitter heavy," more opaque than transparent. But enough talking. . .  let's get started. . . . .

Here are a few of my plates,stampers and scraper.

After picking a design and polish, paint the image.

Lightly scrape off the excess polish, so just a little remains in the etching.

Press the stamper onto the image.

The image picked up fairly well. The trick here is being quick. If you take too long the image can dry on the plate and not pick up or it can dry on the stamper and end up being useless.

Super grainy picture (sorry) After picking up the image, "roll" the stamper over the nail and press.

Bronze leaves on a brown background. OPI "Sonata in bronze" and Sonia Kashuk "Chocoholic"