Monday, June 4, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
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. :)
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. :)
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