How-to: Neon Tip Nails

Are your nails starting to look like a crime scene? Colourless, lifeless, dull? I hear ya, sister, I hear ya. But what better way to inject a dose of awesomness into your mani than with some stylish neon ascents?! Follow these simple steps to achieve a set of fabulous fingertips — consider it the modern day French Manicure.

GET THE LOOK

Step 1: Apply a base coat and let it dry. It’s important that it is completely dry before you proceed.

Step 2: Paint your nails with a nude or skin-toned varnish. Let it dry.

Step 3: Apply paper reinforcements to your nail.

Step 4: Paint a neon color on the tip, or whatever color you would like to use. Use 2 light coats for coverage.

Step 5: Remove tape or reinforcement AFTER the polish has dried.

Step 6: Apply a top coat.

Enjoy lacquer lovers!

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you just want to chat about all things pretty? Drop me a line: kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au. Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over at www.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join me on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances. And for a plain old good time, come and follow us on Instagram – @freshdiscoverbeauty – & Twitter@fresh_fragrances.

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Weekend DIY: Colour code your keys using nail polish!

Tags

diy, how-to, keys, nail polish, organise, polish, tips, tutorial

I am the absolute worst when it comes to my keys. I have a gazillion and one different types so when I need to actually unlock something, it can take ages to find the right one. Totally annoying!

So after scrambling around in the dark the other night outside my apartment, I realised it was time to get my butt organised and establish a way of deciphering between each key… using nail polish!

I’ve amassed an endless supply of varnishes, but most I just don’t ever use. So this weekend I thought I’d utilise as many as possible with a little DIY session.  I decided to paint each individual key a separate colour using my polishes to make all of my unlocking woes a little bit easier.

It’s easy, pretty and fun to do so I thought I’d share a few simple instructions of how you too can get organised.

HOW TO COLOUR CODE YOUR KEYS

1. Lay out a napkin or piece of newspaper to ensure you don’t spill any polish on the surface that you’re working from.

2. Wipe down the key using some water and a cotton bud to get rid of any dirt or grime.

3. Paint the top of each key a bright colour. 2 – 3 coats should do the trick.

4. Wait at least half an hour for each to dry.

5. Set with a top coat – just as you would your nails!

6. Make sure you keep a colour guide somewhere as a reference if you ever forget what each key is for!

That’s it! Now you have a set of colour coded keys so you’ll never have to waste time fumbling around in your bag for the right one. You can even add a layer of glitter over the top to funk things up a bit. Have fun!

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you just want to chat about all things pretty? Drop me a line: kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au. Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over at www.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join me on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances. And for a plain old good time, come and follow us on Instagram – @freshdiscoverbeauty – & Twitter@fresh_fragrances.

Nail It: The Simple Chrome Mani

Tags

beauty, chrome, mani, nail art, nails, tutorial

Nail mavens, gather in. Want to amp up your fingertips to pretty pinstriped perfection? All it takes is four simple steps with a few chrome designs thrown in for good measure. Lacquer up!

GET THE LOOK

Step 1: Paint on the shade that you want your pinstripe to be on each nail. Metallic looks great.

Step 2: Place a thin strip of tape down the centre of the nail bed.

Step 3: Paint on your second shade over the tape.

Step 4: Remove your tape speedily to create a defined stripe.

And there you have it! Cool, hey?

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you just want to chat about all things pretty? Drop me a line: kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au. Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over at www.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join me on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances. And for a plain old good time, come and follow us on Instagram – @freshdiscoverbeauty – & Twitter@fresh_fragrances.

Nail It: Chevron Nails

Tags

chevron, mani, nail art, nails

I lurrrrrrrve chevron talons! They’re so chic, flirty and fun like a Missoni cushion or printed beach throw-over. Whether you sport a feature nail or get a full flown mani resplendent in these fashion-forward designs, chevron will have never looked so rad.

GET THE LOOK

1. Start with your base colour (white always looks fab!). Paint on several coats to get thorough coverage.

2. Using miniature scissors, cut lots of small, little zig zag strips out of scotch tape. Make sure you wait until your polish is totally dry before you put tape on it.

3. Stick the strip to your hand a few times to get most of the stickiness off before you press it to your nail.

4. Use tweezers to press the strips firmly onto the nail, leaving gaps between each one.

5. Apply one coat of your second colour over the tape. Allow to dry and then apply a second coat.

6. While your polish is still wet, carefully take your tape off to create your chevron silhouettes.

7. Paint on your top coat and you’re done!

Press play to see another way of creating the uber cool chevron mani.

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you just want to chat about all things pretty? Drop me a line: kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au. Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over at www.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join me on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances. And for a plain old good time, come and follow us on Instagram – @freshdiscoverbeauty – & Twitter@fresh_fragrances.

Nail It: Ombre Fun

Tags

nail art, nails, ombre

Ain’t it a shame that the weekend’s already over? But what better way to cure Mondayitis than with a quick and easy ombre nail art tutorial (it always works for me)! Jazz up your digits for the week ahead following these simple steps.

TUTORIAL

1. Paint each nail with a base coat. Think of it as a primer for your polish. It prepares the nail surface, smoothes the surface and gives the color something to grab on to. TIP: Prep the nail bed by clipping, buffing and filing your claws to perfection.

2. Paint on your nail varnish (lilac and neon yellow look fab together!). Wait at least 5 or more minutes for the lacquer to completely dry and then paint on a second coat.

3. Using a dense makeup sponge, paint your second layer of colour directly onto the tip and then press the sponge lightly onto the upper half of each nail in soft dabbing motions to create a gradient effect. If the result seems too translucent apply a second layer.

4. Finish with a top coat for added glaze and to extend the longevity of your fabulous mani.

Happy Monday!

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you just want to chat about all things pretty? Drop me a line! kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au. Or, if you’re in the mood for some eye candy, come and see what I’ve been Pinning over at www.pinterest.com/freshdiscover. Better yet – join me on Facebook for more beauty fun www.facebook.com/freshfragrances. And for a plain old good time, come and follow us on Instagram – @freshdiscoverbeauty – & Twitter @fresh_fragrances.

How To: Wham Bham Glam Stripe Nails

In the mood to add some seriously chic twinkle to your tips? Try this quick and easy nail art tutorial. It’s so simple, you could even do it on your lunch break!

1. Paint your nails with a quick drying base coat.

2. Then, paint each nail with black varnish. Wait at least 5 – 10 minutes for the polish to fully dry.

3. Cut out two pieces of sticky tape and apply one piece at the tip of the nail and another to the lower half of the nail, leaving out a thin strip towards the top of the nail (as pictured above).

4. Paint the blank stripe with metallic gold varnish and then rip the two pieces of tape off quickly to create a defined line.

5. Once dry, apply a top coat for a glossy finish.

Finito!

PRO TIP: You can also add a stripe across your nail using adhesive nail wraps. Simply cut out the stripes and apply to each nail. You can get nail stickers from your local cosmetics store or pharmacy.

❤ Kristina xo

Ps. In a beauty fix and need some advice? Or maybe you want to suggest a story idea? Drop me a line! kristina@fragrancesandcosmetics.com.au