Magazine Nail 2.0

Hello! Some of you may remember my post from last year on how to stamp your nails using magazine pictures (HERE). Below is a new and improved method. ENJOY!

Project Time: 30 minutes

What you will need:
-Magazine page
-Scissors
-Clear Polish
-Cup of water
-Tweezers
-Nail File
-Polish Remover
-Q-Tips
1. Cut pattern from magazine into the shape of your nail.

2. Brush a clear coat of polish onto the piece of pattern.

3. Once the pattern is completely dry, drop it into a cup of water. Make sure the pattern side is facing upward. The clear polish creates a barrier that will keep the top dry. Let the pattern sit in the water for 3-5 minutes.

4. Use your tweezers to remove the pattern from the water. Place it downward into the palm of your hand and GENTLY remove the layer of wet paper.  You should now have a thin layer of color and clear polish.

5. Paint a thin coat of clear polish onto the nail that you are placing the pattern on.

6. Place the pattern onto the wet nail and GENTLY slide into place. The pattern can easily tear at this point, so please be gentle.

7. Fold down any access pattern on the tip of the nail and gently file away. Use a Q-tip and polish remover to clean pattern from your skin or cuticles.

8. Brush a coat of clear polish over the nail and WALLAH you're FINITO!

I would LOVE to see your magazine manicure, so please send your pics to davida@oddballdsgn.com or tag me on Instagram: @Graphchic. Enjoy :) 

Upcoming OPI Collections

In conjunction with Sony Picture's re-release of Spiderman (The Amazing Spider-Man), OPI has created an awesome line of  iridescent, vibrant satin and metallic shades.  Including a metallic shatter. I must say, I am definitely OVER the shatter phenomenon. The shades are: Shatter the Scales Your Web or Mine? (frosty warm medium pink), Call Me Gwen-Ever (Orange),  Into the Night (Deep Metallic Blue), My Boyfriend Scales Walls (Not Quite white, but the brightest gray), Number One Nemesis (A deep greenish-grey shimmer) and Just Spotted the Lizard (A metallic mix of golden-green chrome with blue, aqua/teal and pure green duochrome).

This collection is set to release early next Month (May 2012).

OPI is releasing a romantic collection in celebration of Vintage Minnie Mouse. How cute are these. The shades ares:  Nothin’ Mousie ‘bout It (pink sparkle with heart shapes), The Color of Minnie (fuchsia pink), I’m All Ears (Hot Pink), and If You Moust You Moust (pink).

This collection is set to release this Summer (June 1, 2012)

OPI is taking us through a tour of Germany as they set to release this gorgeous array of creamy neutrals and rich jewel tones this Fall. This collection seems like a perfect blend of subtleness, style, and edge. I'm exciting for this collection. The shades are: My Very First Knackwurst, Don't Pretzel My Buttons, Berlin There Done That, Dont Talk Bach to Me, Nein! Nein! Nein! OK Fine!, Schnapps Out of It, Suzi & The 7 Dusseldorfs, Every Month is Oktoberfest, Unfor-greta-bly Blue, Deutsch You Want Me Baby, Danke-Shiny Red, German-icure by OPI.

Which collections and colors are you ready to try?

New Betsey Johnson for OPI

Betsey Johnson teamed up with OPI for one of the cutest and feminine collections I've ever seen. The collection features spring ready hues: Alley Cat, a purple-fuchsia hue; Cartwheels on the Catwalk, a seafoam green hue; XOX Betsey, a sandy nude hue; It’s My Pink!, a hot pink hue; Forever Wild, a black-grape hue; Sparkling Personality, a silver glitter; and Pushing Your Luck, a deep red hue. Bonus: It’s My Pink!, the hot pink color, is also a scented polish.

The collection will be released in Sephora on March 1!

Upcoming OPI Muppets Holiday Collection

As an 80's baby, I'm sure you can understand my everlasting love for the Muppets. When I saw the preview for the new Muppet movie I instantly had a nostalgic flashback of the days when I watched Muppet Babies on Saturday mornings.

In collaboration with the upcoming Muppets movie, OPI will be releasing a beautiful and sparkly collection for the Holidays.

Polish Titles: Fresh Frog of Bel-Air, Excuse Moi, Gettin’ Miss Piggy With It, Gone Gonzo, Rainbow Connection, Divine Swine, Designer de Better, Warm & Fozzie, Meep-Meep-Meep, Animal-istic, Pepe’s Purple Passion and Wocka Wocka

This collection is set to release on November 23.

Viewers Appreciation Contest!!!

Diaryofagraphchic has reached over 3,500 views!!! Woohoo so I'd like to conduct another contest just to show my appreciation. To stay within the theme of one of my most popular post (Magazine Nail tutorial), I will be giving away 2 sets of Bebe Nail Polish Kits.

Contest Guidelines:

1. You MUST be following my blog through Google. Sign-up in the 1st box on the left.

2. Simply list 3 of your favorite nail polish brands and colors in the comments box below.

3. You MUST include your name and email within your comment.

3. Winners will be chosen through a generator.

4. Previous winners and followers outside of the USA are welcome to participate.

The first winner will receive this kit

And the 2nd Winner will receive this color kit

Contest Ends on Thursday, July 14

Thank you for participating & viewing!! Good LUCK :0)

Greetings from Dominique. My last contest winner

Fun & Easy Tattoo Nail Art using Magazine Pages

Save yourself a trip to the salon by doing your own nail art at home using magazine pages.

What you will need:

-Magazine
-Colored Base of choice
-Clear nail base
-50% Rubbing Alchol
-Cotton balls
-Q-tips

-Fingernail Polish Remover

Steps:
1.)Paint nail with a clear base and then coat with your base color.
2.) Allow 3 minutes drying time
3.) Wet your nail with alcohol using a cotton ball
4.) Take a pattern from a magazine page and cover the nail. Wet the page over the nail with alcohol using a cotton ball. Let the alcohol sit over the page and nail for a minute or two.
5.) Peel the page off the nail slowly and coat with a clear base.

6.) Take a Q-tip and polish remover to wipe of any ink that may have gotten on your skin.

I chose to use the pattern of a Balenciaga runway dress

I would love to share your creation with my viewers. Please email an image to davida@oddballdsgn.com.

"What I'm Loving" Friday

1. Maybelline ColorSensation in Fuchsia Fever. If you haven't noticed by now, I love PINK makeup. I'm pretty sure I have several tubes similar to this color, but it is something different about this color. I instantly thought of MAC's matte lipstick Candy Yum Yum, which is sold out. So this Maybelline can be the perfect dupe.

2. Coastal Scents Eclipse Concealer Palette. I needed a nice palette of concealers for my photoshoots. It can get quite pricey buying single containers of concealer in every color, so I ordered this palette. I like the creamy application and the coverage is great as well.

3. Revlon ColorBurst in Baby Pink. Again I can never have enough pink makeup. This color is perfect for that baby doll pink lip. This color can be a dupe for MAC's popular color Angel.

4. LO'Real Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base. A primer is one of the most important products needed to create a flawless face. I have many primers, but this item is one of my favorites. The pores in my nose area can get a little large and exposed at times. This product is great for smoothing out those areas. Remember to let your primer sit for 5 minutes before applying your makeup.

5. MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Creme Cup. I love this nude colored lipstick because it's not too pale like most nudes are.

6. Bow Chain from Asos. One word - ADORABLE!

7. MAC Paint in Sublime Nature. This is a great nude base or can be worn alone.

8. Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System. This is an AWESOME dupe for the expensive Clarsonic. I don't have a Clarsonic but the concept is pretty much the same. This device leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean and it was only $30. Clarsonic devices are $100+

9. Revlon Colorbust Lip Gloss in Strawberry Fraise. This is a very nice drugstore lipgloss. The staying power is great as well as the slight pigmentation.

10. China Glaze Polish in Re-Fresh Mint

(Top to Bottom: MAC CremeCup, Maybelline ColorSensation Fuchsia Fever, Revlon Colorburst in Baby Pink, MAC Paint Sublime Nature. Side: Revlon Colorburst in Strawberry Fraise)

Pink Sugar Dipped Manicure

 

I like to call this sweet and feminine manicure "Sugar Dipped" because it looks like your tips have been dipped in sugar.

1. Start with a clear base coat

2. Follow with a sheer nude color, I use China Glaze in Love Letters
3. Once that has dried, take a glitter polish and start with light strokes in the middle of your nail. Use a light stroke to create a soft edge, but use a regular heavy stroke towards the top of the nail.

4. Once partially dry, take the nude color and stoke over the middle of the nail where the glitter starts to soften the edges to look faded.
5. Repeat steps and let dry.
6. Cover with a clear top coat.

**Remember to start with light strokes to create a fade.

(left to right: OPI Teenage Dream, China Glaze Love Letters)

I'd love to share your manicure pictures. Please send to davida@oddballdsgn.com

**CONTEST** Win a 2011 Limited Edition Zoya Mod Matte Polish Set

I am so excited about reaching a little over 1,000 views within my 1st month of blogging. This has been fun so far, and I look forward to sharing more of my work, knowledge, and tips with you all. To show my appreciation, I would like for one very lucky visitor to receive a new 2011 Limited Edition Zoya Mod Matte Polish set.

TO ENTER TO WIN:

1.) You must follow my Blog (Followers outside of the US may enter)

2.) Tell me how many polishes are in the bucket below.

(Write your answer in the comment section and be sure to use your name. Anonymous names will be disqualified)

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON MONDAY, May 9

***CONGRATULATIONS DOMINIQUE***

How to Achieve Half Moon Manicures @ Home

With Avery Reinforcement Labels and 2 contrasting nail polish colors, you can easily achieve the trendy half-moon manicure right at home. This look has made it comeback in some of the latest runway shows.

Follow these easy steps to achieve this look:
(I took the labels off a little too soon, so my manicure isn't as precise as it normally is)

1. Start with a clear base, and then a skin-toned color base, allow nails to dry for 20 minutes.
2. Place the labels at the bottom of the nail.
3. Paint over the nail and label with the contrasting color, allow time to dry.
4. Remove labels and then coat with a clear polish.

This look can be achieved with any 2 colors of your choice.
Please send pictures (davida@oddballdsgn.com) for me to share once you have tried this at home.

Xmas in Spring: My BirchBox Arrived!

Today I received my first BirchBox in the mail. It was literally like receiving an anonymous gift because you don’t know what samples will be inside. I received:

-6 bags of Extra / Zhena’s Gypsy Tea. I don’t drink tea so I will use it in my face steamer.

-Suki Exfoliate Foaming Cleanser. I read a few reviews on this product. It seems like it would be a hit or miss. I haven’t used it on my whole face, but I did use it as a lip exfoliate and it worked great. The ingredients are raw sugar, rice flour, and organic lemongrass.

-A sample of LIV GRN – Natural Parfum. This perfume  is very fresh, sweet, and clean. It’s also made from biodegradable ingredients, and 10% of the sales go to Global Green.

-ZOYA Nail Polish in Dove, a nice gray color. They also put a mini ZOYA catalogue in the box. So after I test the durability of the polish, I will be ordering more colors.

-Weleda Wild Rose Smoothing Facial Lotion. I won’t be using this product. Not only am I happy with my current moisturizer, but the rose smell is highly unbearable.

Overall, I’m happy with April’s BirchBox. I will make use out of 4 of the items received.

Adding Spice to a Neutral Nail

I love neutral nails in the Spring & Summer. However, they tend to get a little BLAH by the middle of the week. I took OPI’s San Tan-Tonio (Texas Collection) and Bling (Burlesque Collection) and came up with a neutral look with pinky bling. So far it’s been holding my interest

Sally’s Beauty Haul: Buy 2 get 1 FREE

I was walking past a Sally’s Beauty supply over the weekend and was lured inside by a HUGE window poster stating BUY 2 GET 1 FREE any nail polish. Great deal right! I would have been in FAB Heaven if they sold OPI.  Here are the colors I picked up.


(left to right) China Glaze: SECRET PERI-WINK-LE, RE-FRESH MINT, LOVE LETTERS.
(right to left) Finger Paints: DRAWN TO THIS SHADE, GET REAL-ISM, TANGERINE TINT
This was my first time buying and using these brands. I went with the China Glaze Secret Peri-Wink-Le today and I was impressed with the application. The first coating was very rich in color.



The sale of Buy 2 get 1 free (any) polish lasts all month. Before the month is out I’m sure I will return to get more colors.