Born Pretty Store Assorted Black Rhinestone Wheel [Hearts | Ovals | Round | Review]

A while back I was sent this gorgeous black rhinestone wheel from Born Pretty Store [Check them out by clicking *here* - they have free worldwide shipping!]

In the wheel you get approximately 200 pcs and they are assorted: hearts, ovals and round shaped. 

I fell in love with these as soon as I saw them, since they change colour depending from which angle you look at them: from blue, to purple, to green and gold...

...this way they will match a huge variety of nail polish shades!

This wheel costs $2.45* and you can get yours by clicking *here*

You can use the code AIB10 for 10% off your whole order.

For more nail art ideas by yours truly, check out my official nail facebook page Nail Candy by Lorraine.

Love,

Lola

xoxo

Nail Art For Dummies | The Easiest Way to Draw Nail Art [S.O.S | Nails | DIY]

Do you love nail art but can't draw on your own nails? 

Can you easily draw on one hand, but have problems drawing on your non-dominant one?

Yes?

Then read on!!

You will need:

A top coat [preferably a fast drying one]

Tweezers

A plastic folder, or any piece of plastic

Dotting tools

Paint brushes

... and of course, nail polish!

To start with, apply one layer of thin topcoat on the plastic folder. Here I used the Sally Hansen nail hardener which works too - but since it is gloopier it takes more time to dry. A fast drying topcoat works much better.

Allow to dry completely!

Draw out whatever design you little heart desires. Here I did a quick Cath Kidston / vintage flower design.

Allow to dry completely! This is very important. So be patient!

[Tip] I never clean my paint brushes after I use them, this helps the bristles stay pointy when I store them!

Taking your tweezers, carefully peel the topcoat / design from the plastic sheet.

If you're careful enough, you can also trim the edges with small manicure scissors [sorry for the slightly blurred photo]

Then stick it on your desired nail! You can just layer it on without any nail polish or glue, but make sure that you seal it with a top coat.

And there you go! Easy, peasy beautiful nail art in minutes. 

This method is especially handy when you are able to paint with your dominant hand, but find trouble repeating the design with your other hand.

Hope you enjoyed this post, and DO let me know if you have :3

Much love,

Lola

xoxo

Born Pretty Store Arabesque Nail Art Stamping Plate [Review | Nail Art Design Ideas]

A while back I uploaded the above photo [of my nails, no less] on We Heart It [follow my account by clicking HERE] where it received nearly 500 likes [or hearts]. 

This design seemed to be a hit, so I decided to share my secret with you and tell you how to achieve this manicure in 1 simple step by using a nail stamp.

A one of a kind nail stamp that is, from Born Pretty Store. 

The good thing is that this costs just $2.99* [inc free world wide shipping] and you can also use the code AIB10 at checkout for a further 10% discount. 

Ah btw! The midi rings that I am wearing in the above picture are also from Born Pretty Store and you can get them by clicking HERE. They cost $2.18* for both and same rules as above apply.

As you can see from above, the nail plate comes in a protective, blue sticky layer. Of course, you need to peel it off in order to use it. 

What made me get this nail plate is the fact that it has a whole design engraved in it, unlike the usual ones which have a couple of designs.

This way, you can have different designs on all of your nails, while maintaining homogeneity. Plus, no nail will turn out the same.

Unlike 'cheap' stamping plates, this design is deeply engraved in the metal, so you'll find no problem with it. Of course, if you use stamping polish the result will be the best possible, but a normal 'thicker' polish will work just as well.

I thoroughly recommend this plate - especially if you a nail art beginner and would like intricate designs but you do not have steady hands or enough practice. 

I am head over heels in love with this design, and everybody complemented me on it <3

Below you'll find some more manicures that I did using this Born Pretty Plate;

You can follow my facebook nail art page by clicking HERE. It is called Nail Candy by Lorraine <3 

Hope you enjoyed this review and designs!

Until next time,

Lola

xoxo

Nail Piercings?! [Review | Nail Art]

When I was in my early teens, I remember how I always tried to pierce my natural nails with a compass tool, and then put a nose piercing in. Naturally, my natural nails always chipped and broke, since they're really thin and weak.

Fast forward to about 10 years ago, when I first started getting nail extensions. Back then I really wanted a nail ring, so the first time I got them done, I chose to get one.

Now that I am a nail technician myself, I've been thinking about getting me some, with the hopes that someone will love nail rings just as much as I did.

And hey presto, the sweet Nicole allowed me to pierce hers today.

I got my nail rings from Born Pretty Store, and they have loads of different ones. Mine are the 3mm silver nail dangles, which cost $5.28* including shipping - which is free. It came with a handy tiny hand drill.

You can get yours by clicking HERE, and of course use the discount code AIB10 to get 10% off at checkout.

Now it is best to use these on nail extensions, unless you have really, but really, strong natural nails which you feel confident enough to pierce.

To pierce, place your nail tip on top of a soft, cushy surface [I used a soft nail buffer here], and slowly rotate the hand drill until the nail is pierced. 

You then open the nail dangle / ring with small pliers or a cuticle nipper, slowly insert it in the hole, and re-close it tightly with the nipper/pliers.

It's such a cute addition to your manicure, without needing nail art!

What do you think, would you get them?

Love,

Lorraine

xoxo

Born Pretty Store 3D Rhinestone Nail Bow and Gold Sea Shell Stud [Review]

A while back I was offered the chance to review a couple of items of my liking from the website Born Pretty Store.I guess all of you are familiar with the brand: a brand which is budget friendly and offers free worldwide shipping no less.

Check the Born Pretty Store website by following the link HERE.

If you want you can use the discount code: AIB10 to get 10% off your order.

Two of the items I chose were a rhinestoned bow, and gold seashells.

I also got some gold hoops which I've reviewed HERE.

Both the bow and the seashells are of good quality: to attach you simply need some good nail glue and a good topcoat to seal it in. 

Check out some designs where I used the Born Pretty Store decorations :) 

Hope you like the designs!

Love,

Lorraine

xoxo

Born Pretty Store 3D Metal Twist Hoops Nail Art Decoration [Review + How To Use]

A couple of weeks ago I was offered the opportunity to try out some nail decorations from the website Born Pretty Store. Check out the online store by clicking HERE

Of course being the nail art addict that I am I was well acquainted with this website [plus they have free shipping].

One of the things that I chose were these Metal Round Shape Decorations. They cost just $1.99 [for 10 pieces] and you can get yours by following this link HERE.

If you want you can use the discount code: AIB10 to get 10% off your order.

Sooooo these round hoops come in both silver and gold. 

You do have to straighten them with small pliers [or small scissors] in order to get them to lay flat on the nail bed.

I first stick them with a small amount of gel topcoat, which I cure after so that the metal hoop does not move around on the nail. I then coat the whole of the nail with topcoat to seal the design etc. You can also fix them to the nail with some good nail glue.

You can use these hoops by themselves, or else you can put rhinestones, pearls etc in its centre.

If you scroll below I've attached 3 examples where I used them on my clients.

Hope you like them!

Hugs,

Lorraine

xoxo

Essence Nail Art Tattoo Pen [Review]

Dear readers,

I love nail art. But I always have no designs on my own nails. Go figure.

Most probably it's because I'm a professional nail technician and after I'm done doing all sorts of designs on my clients, the last thing I want it to spend ages doing my own to then scratch them while filing clients' nails. 

I was first introduced to nail pens by my friend Jo who for Christmas [about 2 years ago now I guess] gave me a set of Sally Hansen nail pens [check out my review]

So anyway, about a month ago I had a look through the back to back Essence stand at a local shop and one of the things that I got was this Essence Nail Art Tattoo Pen which if I remember correctly was real cheap.

To my knowledge it only comes in 1 shade - black. More colours would be nice but I guess black is fine too since it is the most used shade when it comes to nail art.

It comes in 'felt tip' style packaging and works exactly like a felt tip marker would. 

To use, you just push on the tip until the ink flows through - then before each use you just shake well.

I always store it upside down [same as I store pen eye liners]

*sorry for the out of focus picture*

This pen is really easy to use. And so so so so helpful! This has made my life so much easier - especially when it comes to drawing tiny teeny designs [plus it saves me a lotttt of time]

I have used this pen both on regular nail polish and on gel polish [if you scroll to the bottom you can see 2 examples I did today on clients].

If you use on regular polish it is extremely important that you wait until the polish is completely dry or else it won't work as well and will look rather messy [been there, done that - oh impatient me]

I have also tried using both regular top coat and gel top coat and it does not smudge at all - I must stay that this pen dries to the touch almost immediately. 

So the below pictures are all hand drawn by me using this Essence Pen.

I really need to buy back ups of this pen - and if you are a nail art fan then I suggest that you get one too.

Love,

Lorraine

xoxo

Viridian Ultimate Beauty Organic Nail and Cuticle Oil [Review]

Dear readers,

As a fully qualified nail technician, I know how important it is to not just use hand creams but also cuticle oils in order to have beautiful [and strong] nails.

I've been using this Viridian Ultimate Beauty Organic Nail and Cuticle Oil for about 2 months now.

It costs £12.95 and you can get yours from the Viridian Nutrition website here.

This cuticle oil comes in a standard glass bottle with a rubber /glass pipette. 

The ingredients of this nail & cuticle oil are;

Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia Chinensis)Organic Horsetail Extract (Equisetum Arvense)Organic Marigold Extract (Calendula OfficinalisFlower)Organic Lemon Myrtle Essential Oil(Backhousia Citriodora Leaf Oil)Essential Oil (Lavandula Angustifolia Oil)Rosemary Extract (Rosmarinus Officinalis)Helianthus annuus hybrid oil (high-oleic sunflower oil).

Apart from strengthening your nails, this oil also has anti-fungal properties. It can also be used on both finger and toe nails.

Even though I have nail extension on for most of the time, I believe that it is important to use products like this one in order to help keep your nails healthy even when they're 'covered' in acrylic or gels [the oil seeps in through to the nail bed]. 

At first I was afraid that this oil will cause my acrylic nail extensions to lift, but they were ok.

I have tried my fair share of cuticle oils, and this one ticks all the right boxes. First of all, since this has a pipette and not a brush it is far more hygienic [especially if you use these on clients and not just for personal use]. 

It is organic [need I say more?]

It has a light herby/floral scent [without being to overpowering].

Even though this is an oil, it is not sticky and is immediately absorbed.

Hope you found this review helpful and that you'll start using cuticle oils in the future!

Love,

Lorraine

xoxo

***Disclaimer: This product was given to me by Viridian Nutrition for review purposes. I was not paid to do this review. What I wrote in the review is my honest and unbiased opinion. 

Dream Catcher with Feathers Nail Art [Step by Step | Tutorial]

Dear readers,

I had been wanting to try out a dream catcher design for the longest time ever, and finally today a sweet client/friend of mine [Hi Charlene!] let me try out this design on her nails. 

I decided to do a step-by-step tutorial as soon as she gave me the go-ahead, and I must say that they turned out way cute, if I say so myself!

You can do this design in a variety of colours, but it must be on the light/pastel side since you do need for the black to show up real well on the base colour.

We chose this green/pistacchio colour by Sinful Colours as a base, but it can be done using yellow, pink, blue or any other colour you fancy.

I also used Bundle Monster nail plates which I got off Amazon - get yours from this link *here* - I love them and they're so affordable too! Only $17.99 and you get 21 nail plates. I used black Konad polish with them though.

What you need are the following;

• 1 light base colour
• 3 contrasting colours for the beads on the dream catcher
• 1 black nail striper [or black nail polish and a thin paintbrush or toothpick]
• a dotting tool 
• feather stamp or you can draw the feathers free hand
• topcoat 

This is the finished result:

To start with, apply two coats of the base colour of your choice;

*Client has acrylic nails*

Decide on which nails you want the dream catcher design - we went with the ring and thumb nails. Then using the striper brush, draw a semi circle which should span half of your nail like so;

Then, using the striper, place a tiny dot of polish on the centre of the circle you just drew, and draw petal shapes from this centre to the diameter of the larger circle you did. 

Draw small lines in the middle of each 'petal' you just did too.

When you're done, draw 3 vertical lines [2 shorter ones on the side, and 1 longer line in the middle]

Using a dotting tool and contrasting colours, draw on the 'beads' of the dream catcher. I used white, pink, yellow and dark green.

I also used a nail plate by Bundle Monster to stamp on feather designs on the remaining nails. I did this haphazardly to give the feathers a 'flying' effect;

And that's it! Seal your design with topcoat and admire your handiwork :)

This is my final result:

And items I used;

Hope you enjoyed this design, and do let me know if you try it out for yourselves! You can also opt out from the feathers and just do the dream catcher. Anything you like, really.

Let me know if you love/like this design!

Much love,
Lorraine
xoxo

Some of my latest nail designs [September 2013]

Dear readers,

Thought of posting some of my latest nail designs! Check out my Facebook page for more pictures by clicking **here**

If you would like step by step tutorials of any of the designs let me know in the comments section below - I'll try my best to do them [after I find a client who would like the design, obviously].

Let me know which design is your favourite!

Love,

Lorraine
xoxo