VL NAILS X MISS V BABYDOLL

Me and miss Jocie Valencia aka trashtini aka miss v aka owner of the flawless shop Dolly's are working on a limited edition set of press ons. They are soooo cute I cannot wait to reveal the full product but here are some progress previews. Stay tuned for more info.

VLXO

INSPO: OPALS

This image of these beautiful opals I'm jewellery by Kimberly McDonald TOTALLY had me inspired last night so I did my nails with a billion different kinds of glitter and the end result was pretty close to the colours in the stones I think! 

I'm not sure about the middle finger nail being SO different to the rest I might keep the same jewels but maybe on a subtle glitter backdrop instead? We shall see.

VLXO

HOW TO: RILAKUMMA 3D KAWAII NAILS

This design is SO cute I had to share it! As always the colours can be switched out for anything that you prefer but I'm purple obsessed of late so I've chosen a lilac theme. 

Here are the products I used ( I will name colours/brands throughout the guide) 

STEP ONE

take Lilacism by Essie and paint the top half of the nail (I'm working on a false nail i attached to my dotting tool with blu tac and just noticed the nail is upside down oops!) 

STEP TWO

Now take Rainbow Apparation by Bourjois and drag it through the edge of the Lilacism and over the rest of the nail so the colours mix slightly creating a fade.

STEP THREE

Using Selena Corpus Crystalina by Floss Gloss, paint over the Bourjois glitter, and go slightly over the Lilacism too. This layer is subtle so you can do two coats if you'd like.

STEP FOUR

Use Essie's 'A Cut Above' to add larger glitter along the edge of the nail.

STEP FIVE

Now to create the rilakumma face :) to start use Tanlines by Floss Gloss to draw the background which is three circles: one large oval and two small circles create the ears.

STEP SIX

Draw another circle in white in the middle of the face. I used White Tips by ORLY.

STEP SEVEN

I wanted to use jewels to create Rilakummas features to glitz it a bit more. Take some small black diamonds, brush on glue and a cuticle stick, paint the end of the stick with top coat so you are able to pick up the jewels. Dip the stick into your jewel box and pick up a jewel, brush glue onto the back and then place onto the nail in the correct positions to act as eyes and nose. 

STEP EIGHT

Use a models own nail art pen to draw on two lines for the mouth. 

Finish Rilakumma by painting yellow circles in the ears with a yellow nail pen also by models own. 

STEP NINE

Time to add some 3D glitz! I used these iridescent jewels in purple, silver and white and also some pearls to add lots of different dimensions to the sparkle. 

Select one of each of the larger jewels (I think mine are 4mm) and pearls and scatter them around the Rilakumma face using the same technique used to apply the eyes and nose. 

STEP TEN

Use the smaller jewels in the same colour (mine are 2mm) to 'connect the dots' of the big jewels. I like to connect them in curves so they look like a necklace draped around the nail.

STEP ELEVEN

draw stars in the yellow Models Own nail art pen, they do not need to be super precise as they are meant to act as the flash behind a jewel that will be applied on top, I used the subtle white 2mm jewels for this. 

STEP TWELVE

For the final touch take a white Models Own nail art pen and add tiny polka dots on to the visible lilac parts of the nail. 

Then seal with your preferred top coat, my favourite is Good To Go by Essie, an the design is finished! 

VLXO

NAIL INSPO

When I have free time I like seeing what designs I can come up with inspired by ads and shoots in magazines. Here are some recent ones:

(That pic really doesn't highlight the crocodile effect I used to match the Louis bag that I'm obsessed with)

VLXO

P.S I'm currently building my website I can't wait to show you all what I'm working on x

TUTORIAL: ABSTRACT COLOUR TIPS

This is my current favourite nail style and it works in any colours! The polishes I use in this look are: Essie 'Wicked' 'A Cut Above' and 'Lovie Dovie', Models Own: 'Purple Blue'

STEP ONE: After using your preferred base coat ( I use Undercover by Sinful) paint the top half of the nail with Wicked or a different dark red colour.

STEP TWO: whilst the first colour is still wet (best to do steps one and two one nail at a time) blend Lovie Dovie or any pink polish out of the Wicked and cover the bottom of the nail in pink.

STEP 3: take the Purple Blue, or any other petrol effect or metallic polish and paint a big patch in the centre of the nail, covering where the first two colours meet. Be sure to leave some of the Wicked visible at the top of the nail.

STEP FOUR: for a finishing touch use A Cut Above or any pink polish you love in a point where the petrol colour joins the pink. All glitters will work with this look but I think it's best to use a larger glitter in the same colour as the tip ( same colour doesn't have to mean same shade ;) )

STEP FIVE: finish with a coat of your preferred top coat. Mine is Good To Go by Essie. 

I've also done a version of this look with yellow tips using a bright Colour Club polish and a yellow and gold Essie glitter seen here:

I want to see it in a neon blue tip next 💘 

VLXO

GET CUTE XO

I've been working on a more 3d design menu recently and am awaiting more charms in the post. I wanted to share the menu that I just finished and the one I'm working on. It all started when me and my girl at the salon, Lilly, decided to glitz up when we were doing our nails on pride because I had just received done iridescent pink stud shaped jewels. I did these jewelled polka dots for myself: 

I loved them so much although getting glue off of acrylic was a bitch! 

I did these for Lilly:

I love the colour combo of this ORLY green and OPI pink Friday :)

Once we had these nails all of our clients started asking for jewelled looks like these ones I did for one of my customers: 

And these which I did for a friend: 

The bows are adorable! 

So I thought ok clearly people want to be kawaiiprincesses so I did this design menu: 

I can't wait to see the mix/matches people ask for from this menu! I am also working on these of a similar style: 

Once all of my charms and decals start arriving I will do more dramatic designs. 

See my Instagram (valentinelane) for a detail video of my newest menu!

VLXO