Red Flocking

A couple of weeks ago I was sent LOTS of awesome Chi Chi Cosmetic. Today I thought I would have a try at one of the flocking nail polishes.

How pretty is this colour? I LOVE it! I think I am going to have to do a 'Elmo' inspired nail art soon...

What do you think?

How to.... make your own flocking!

So what is flocking??

For all you nail art beginners, flocking is the name of the stuff you put on your nails to give you the 'velvet' effect.

Here are some prime examples...

Georgina from 'Cupcake's Clothes' - Coral Velvet Nails

Alli's - Turquoise Velvet Nails  from her blog 'The Daily Varnish'

Leslie's Royal Blue nails from her blog 'Polish Art Addiction'

As you can see velvet nails have an amazing look!!

Now, from what I gathered from my extensive research (haha), flocking originated for scrap booking purposes. So one day some brilliant nail art pro decided to dip her wet nail polish into a tub of the stuff and hey presto VELVET NAILS! Pretty genius I think.

So when I decided to make my 'Cookie Monster Nails' I actually did go to a scrap-booking place to get my very own royal blue flocking. BUT for someone who has limited cash, the tiny bottle of blue flocking was really expensive (at $8.50AUS). If you were to use it all the time or for all 10 nails then it would defiantly be worth it. BUT I just wanted to try it out on a couple of nails so I had to look for a cheaper alternative.

*For all those lazy people out there and want to purchase it yourself you can get them from nail art supplies store online. Born Pretty Store sell a tub of one colour for about $4 USD. Or Ebay for about £1.50.

How to make flocking from ribbon...

I looked on HEAPS of sights for different ways to create my own flocking. Some suggested cutting into pom-poms from the craft store, other suggested felt material. But the best idea was this one...

1. Buy what ever coloured ribbon you like. I got this one from Spotlight (Australian craft store) for about $2AUS.

2. Cut off a piece. I did them in 3 inch pieces. (Just easier to work with).

3. Next, you need to cut ONE side of the ribbon, just the end that holds all the tiny threads together.

4. Using you fingers slowly and carefully pull all the little threads out.

5. Once you have done a little section it should look like this. Notice that it has 'frayed on both sides - short and long ways.

6. Cut into tiny pieces, the smaller the pieces the better it looks on the nail.

It took me about 10 mins to create enough flocking for 4 nails and I have PLENTY left over.

This flocking (on my nails) lasted 3 days and it could have lasted a lot longer. I was really worried when I had a shower that is would all fall out or go a bit gross, but it was fine.

Ok so there you have it, how to make your own flocking...

If you try it at home, let me know how you go! :)

Enjoy!

B xx

C is for Cookie!

Hello all you lovely people!
I am super excited because I have FINALLY been able to find the time to create my very own Cookie Monster inspired nails. Here is my journey (hehe)...

On Saturday I sat down in my usual spot trying to ponder my ideas of what nail art I should try today. Sifting through my colours and glitters and stamping equipment I stopped  at my Cookie Monster blue polish. Now this is not a unusual event, most weekends/week nights I stop at this colour hoping and wishing for the day I can fulfil my dream of creating my very own Cookie Monster design. When SUDDENLY I realised I had all the supplies (and the time of course).

Going into this I knew there was at least a 80% chance of my failing miserably for many reasons...I smudge it so many times I give up, the flocking* doesn't work or the fact that I suck at fine detail so my Cookie looks a bit 'off'. But I steamed forward and this is what I came up with (and I am so freakin' happy with how it came out)...

I started with my base blue colour. I got this beautiful blue polish from Barry M - Cyan Blue. 

To make Cookie Monster's face I used BC&Co. - Shade 11 and Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color - White On. 
I free handed the mouth (which I think turned out really well) and I used a dotting tool for the eyes.

For the cookies I used Avon Nailwear Pro - Perfectly Flesh for the base and for the choc chips I used Rimmel Wear Maxx - Sunset Bronze. 

*For my ring and pinky fingers I chopped up my Cookie Monster soft toy to stick on my fingers.... JOKING! Hehe! I would NEVER harm any of my Cookie Monster toys.

I did, however, create my OWN flocking.

What is flocking you ask?? 
Well It is basically the fuzzy stuff you see on my nails.
I am in the process of creating a tutorial on how to make it for a fraction of the price you can buy online or in store.
So stay tuned!


Ok tell me what you think?

B xxx