Watercolor Blossoms Manicure

Super regal, super detailed, super cool.

These intricate nails surely make a statement! Thanks to Born Pretty Store and their vast selection of nail art wraps, rhinestones, paints, foils, decorations and more, I was able to create a totally unique manicure that is perfect for parties or events. I would say this manicure takes more time than most, but it's definitely worth it.

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are white nail polish, crystal nail gems, Born Pretty Blue Flower nail decals, Born Pretty Silver Decals and Born Pretty Rhinestone 3D Decoration. I also used clear varnish for a top coat- China Glaze Nail Polish, White On White, 0.5 Ounce.

Start by painting all your nails white. On the index, ring and pinkie finger, apply the full-nail blue flower water decals. For info on how to apply water decals, see my previous Royal Teal Nail Tutorial.

Apply the silver decal over the ring finger's blue flower decal. Add a clear crystal with nail glue, and cover with clear varnish to finish. Coat the index and pinkie with clear varnish as well. Add two silver decals to the thumb, and then add a crystal to finish. Coat with clear varnish.

On the middle finger, add nail glue and apply the large 3D decoration.

Lovin' it, right??! Born Pretty is the go-to one-stop-shop for all of your nail art and beauty needs. I love their full-nail water decal wraps, which save you time hand painting and always look perfect. They are also easy to apply. I just put the whole decal on, then waited for it to dry. Cut the excess off with a cuticle cutter or small scissors to fit your nail. These blue flowers here remind me of watercolor paintings. When contrasted with the ornate 3D decoration and rhinestones, you have a winning combination. These 3D decorations really only work if you have long nails. They will not fit on smaller, shorter nails. Also, they need a lot of nail glue to stay on. They are quite heavy, so be careful and don't expect them to stay on past a day. That's why these nails are more "event-ready" instead of everyday!

Style these with a black oversized sweater, skinny denim, a long crystal necklace and sweet shades. Rockin' it!!

I have a coupon code here for all those who want to shop Born Pretty. Use this code HXSQ10 to get 10% off your order. Born Pretty also always offers free shipping, what could be better than that???! Shop away girls!

All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. DO NOT post/use images without linking back and crediting me.

Blues Bouquet Nails

The moody blues are feelin' floral.

I've got here a vintage-inspired manicure using Born Pretty's rose nail decals, plus extra glitter and polka dots.

The bottom base blue is IBD Just Gel Blue Haven.  

After being somewhat skeptical to gel polishes, now they are the ONLY kind I wear. My nails do not break, even through me making jewelry and other crafty items.

The rose decal here adds the right amount of vintage touch. This same decal sheet also comes in a red/orange and purple scheme. And it's only $2.39 for the whole sheet….

Nothing is complete without glitter. The glitter here is from Claire's.

And of course my obsession with the double-sided manicure. I went simpler this time with a purple-pink color underneath, to match with the purple rose decals. Last time, I did a pop of neon yellow but this manicure called for something more subtle.

A vintage purse completes the look!

All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. DO NOT use/post images without linking back and crediting me.

Ice Galaxy Foiled Nails

Just a few shots of my metal-flecked nail design!

I used Born Pretty Store silver metal nail foil. I first did a white gel manicure using Sally Hansen UV set gel polish White Away. Then, I put a thin top clear coat and pressed the foil sheets down in multiple spots on my nails. after you lift up the foil, some sticks to the nail, creating that "flecked" design.

You can find this type of foil and all other colors here.

I specifically used this foil for my manicure here!

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Royal Teal Manicure

Hello! It's been a long time since my last nail tutorial.

This time, I'm using water decals from BornPrettyStore.com for the first time!

Born Pretty has a TON of different beauty products, jewelry, clothing pieces and other great accessories. What I love most is their extensive collection of nail art products!

Their prices are great- you can get nail decal sheets for less than a dollar. That means a lot of bang for your buck!

You can get rhinestones and studs and other super-cool decorations like spikes, pearls, chain, bows and more! Seriously, if you love nail art, you will love their site! You can spend days looking at their huge amount of inventory.

Get connected with them!

Like BornPretty on Facebook

Follow on Twitter 

Pin on Pinterest

See the Blog

Watch on Youtube

Shop their Store

Here is a 10% off coupon code that can be used on a purchase from Born Pretty!

I'll show you how to use these water decals over a base color for a simple manicure that looks like it took a lot of work!

Ready?

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are a base nail polish (I used the Gel SensatioNail Island Oasis), top coat and BornPretty  Pattern water decals (#K210).

How to use the water decal:

Paint your nails your base coat. Get out a dish of water. Cut out the decal you need. Take off the plastic film, don't peel it off the white backing.

Submerge the decal in water for about 15 seconds.

Wet your nail. Gently, with your other hand (get it wet first), fish out the decal from the water (it will release from the backing) and place it on your wet nail. What's great about the water decals are that they are moveable while still wet, unlike stickers. Move it gently on the nail until it is in the right spot, then press gently and leave it alone.

Your nail and fingers must be wet while doing this otherwise it will stick and not move!

See how easy? Just be careful, while the nails are still wet the decal might move. Repeat for all the other nails.

I then, when they were fully dry, painted with a top coat and stuck a nail stud at the top of each decal. I placed one bigger one on my thumb as well. The BornPretty decal sheet came with 10 black decals and 10 white decals enough for 2 manicures. I accidentally dropped the one for my thumb while doing the tutorial and trying to photograph :(. So I added just a stud to the thumbs.

What's also great about these water decals is that the plastic is invisible! It looks like the design was painted straight onto your nails!

These decals were so easy to use, especially with your opposite hand. You don't have to worry about placing it in the exact spot at first. 

All photos copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Do not post tutorial or images without linking to me.

Punk Rock Nails- Fall 2013

Punk is in! Spurred by the Met Gala back in spring of this year, this fall all things punk are totally in style. From studs, leather and spikes to tartan fabrics and more, get ready to sport some rebellious attire this autumn! My most favorite look from the Gala was Cara Delevingne, head to toe in Louis Vuitton. Ahhh-mazing. Since we all know fashion is moving at least a half-year ahead of us, just now the style is becoming mainstream. And of course, a part of every outfit is definitely your manicure!

I went with a very simplified punk theme; mixing patterns and dark colors and topping it off with some nail "studs". Simplified plaid, along with a dip-dye nail and houndstooth pattern make for cool elements contrasted by the simpler middle and pinkie fingers.

This is actually a very simple manicure, but it does require a nail stamping plate for the houndstooth nail (index finger). If you don't have one feel free to hand-paint or do a plaid nail, like on the ring finger!

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are nail pearls, a Konad (or BundleMonster) nail stamp and scraper, the BundleMonster BM19 plate, and varying colors of nail polish: gunmetal (I used Sally Hansen), red (I used OPI I'm not a Waitress), white, and deep purple (I used OPI Lincoln Park after Dark) and then a red nail art polish (with the long skinny brush). 

Step 2: Paint your nails (two coats): thumb= gunmetal, index= white, middle= red, ring=gunmetal, and pinkie= deep purple. On your index finger, use your Bundle Monster plate #19, the houndstooth-like pattern. Add one coat of your deep purple over it and stamp on your finger, over the white. For more information on this technique, look at my Zebra Neon Nails tutorial!

Step 3: It should look like this! Now, on your ring finger, use your long-tipped brush to make a plaid pattern; two vertical stripes of red, one stripe of white in the middle. Paint over with another red stripe.

Step 4: On your middle finger, add a nail pearl (black) on the bottom; adhere with a bit of clear nail polish and press down. Add a red pearl at the bottom of your pinkie. On your thumb, create a tie-dye effect with red, white and more gunmetal. For more info on how to do this, look at Step 3 of my Neon Zebra Nails tutorial. Paint everything with a top coat (except your index finger, it will smear the pattern if you do!) and let dry completely.

This is just simple enough, and not too punk-y (for those who are not huge fans of the look!). If you would like to use different colors, if you are not a punk fan at all, feel free to; this in a pastel theme could turn from punk-y to sweet, or all rainbow brights would really make a statement! Feel free to do it your own way! That is what punk is really all about!

Photos (except first) copyright Allison Beth Cooling. Please do not use/post without linking back and crediting me! 

Quick Starburst Nails

These starburst nails were found in the March issue of Harper's Bazaar. The look was designed by Kristina Estabrooks for a runway show; the black and white detail fits perfectly within spring fashion!

Of course, it's an easy DIY for you guys at home! 

Feel free to do this in any color scheme if you are more of a color person. 

Let's get started.

Step 1: Gather materials. Needed are two nail polish colors, masking tape, scissors, and a top coat.

Step 2: Paint your nails the base color (white for the look). Take masking tape, cut a small piece, and cut out triangles so it looks like a starburst. Make them small to fit at least 2-3 points on your nail.

Step 3: Wait until your nails are completely dry. Press your tape onto the top righthand corner of your nail, not covering up too much of the nail. Take your second color, and paint the bottom part of your nail; not too thick of a coat, or it will bleed when you peel the tape off. Peel the tape off quickly but gently. You should be left with a starburst pattern!

Step 4: Repeat on the other nail (I used the same cut piece of tape for the corresponding nails, but don't over-use otherwise it will loose its stickiness and give a messy look.

Step 5: Repeat for each nail. Finish with a top coat if needed.

Sort of futuristic, graphic, bold, interesting!

All photos and instructions copyright Allison Cooling for Quiet Lion Creations.

If you share/use/post this tutorial, please link back to me. It is much appreciated!