Scotch tape manicure

Well, thanks to Pinterest, I'm obsessed with doing nails again.  Where was Pinterest when I was a nail tech?  Anyway, I did the sponge ombre gradient that's pretty popular, but I wasn't too happy with it.  I'm going to try to find different sponges next time.  My makeup sponge was a little too thick and heavy.

This time, I did the Scotch tape manicure, although I recommend doing it without tape.  Maybe I was using the wrong kind of tape?  I was definitely waiting long enough for my nails to dry (without waiting a day, that is) but taking the tape off really effed them up.  Especially after the second pink color; it pulled off both layers.  Unless you have a few days to kill (and even then, I'm not sure the tape wouldn't pull some polish off), I recommend just free-handing it.  I know for the OPI colors I used for the stripes, their professional wide brush made it super easy to get a nice line.  I'm not sure how it would work with other brands, but I'm sure after some practice it would be fine.  I've done free-hand French manicures for all of my nail technician career (and the years after) so I do have some practice.

I also picked up a brush to make a better line at the cuticle.  Seven or eight years ago when I was hired at some rinky-dink salon the nail tech there used a brush and I thought she was weird.  After using it the other night, though, it does make a better line at the cuticle than a orange wood stick and cotton.  Cotton on a stick works better for getting polish off the sides and tips of fingers, though (if you have short nails like me and overshoot the ends of your nails).

Essie Fiji [Essie Nail Polish - Pinks/Roses (Google Affiliate Ad)] at base, OPI Pinking of You for the first stripe, and OPI Kiss me on my Tulips for the second stripe.  I do love pink.  :)