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Valentine’s Day Nail Art

Some Polishes Provided for Review

Hello All my Lovely Readers!  Today I’m using my stash to create a fun Valentine’s Day inspired mani.  But, because I didn’t go all heart crazy it will work for just about any time!  I used a fun and easy nail art technique that can be used with any combination of polishes.

I used three polishes for this nail art look.  MOD Lacquer – Baby Flamingo, Northern Star – Protego Totalum, and Crows Toes – Edgy Ocean Blue.  I’ve reviewed all of these before so I won’t go into that in this post.

Valentine's Nail Art - Polishes

Crows Toes – Edgy Ocean Blue, Northern Star – Protego Totalum, MOD Lacquer – Baby Flamingo (Left to Right)

The first step was the base color.  For the base of my mani I used MOD Lacquer – Baby Flamingo.  I used two coats to give it a nice base for my upcoming nail art:

MOD Lacquer - Baby Flamingo

MOD Lacquer – Baby Flamingo

MOD Lacquer - Baby Flamingo

MOD Lacquer – Baby Flamingo

Next I used a latex barrier around my cuticles because I knew things were going to get messy.  I used Digital Nails – Questionable Browser History, though I do not think that it’s available any longer.  Latex barriers are pretty easy to find these days though and there are a lot of good ones on the market!

Nail Art Preparation

Nail Art Preparation

Then using a fan brush I started adding the detail.  I got this brush for a set off Amazon, you can find them pretty easily and they don’t cost a lot of money:

Fan Brush

Fan Brush

To create my art I started by putting a several drops of Northern Star – Protego Totalum on my silicone mat and I dipped the tip of the fan brush in it.  I then swiped it across my nails to create stripes.  After I did all of my nails with Protego Totalum I went back and cleaned the brush in acetone and then put several drops of Crows Toes – Edgy Ocean Blue on my silicone mat and followed the same process right over the stripes I made earlier:

Valentine's Nail Art Progress

Valentine’s Nail Art Progress

I was glad I did use the latex barrier, reds and blues are particularly hard to clean up off of skin.  This way all I had to do was peel most of it away and then touch up just a tiny bit around the edges!

I topped everything off with Ciate Gelology Top Coat that I got in my Ipsy Bag last month.  I thought I would try it out because it’s supposed to be super shiny, squishy, and hard wearing.  It doesn’t dry as fast as a quick dry top coat but it does dry super shiny!  I don’t know about the wear yet but if it doesn’t provide at least several days wear I will update this post!

Valentine's Day Nail Art

Valentine’s Day Nail Art

Valentine's Day Nail Art

Valentine’s Day Nail Art

 

There you have it a quick, fun, and EASY nail art look that is perfect for Valentine’s day or any time!

Valentine's Day Nail Art

Valentine’s Day Nail Art

Northern Star Polish – Harry Potter Gift Set

Provided for Honest Review

Oh.Em.Gee.  Two of my favorite things!  Harry Potter and Nail Polish!  Really could it get any better?  Plus I get to bring you a new brand that I haven’t featured before.  Oh happy day!  Hold onto your seats, darling readers, because this is going to be awesome!

Northern Star Polish - Harry Potter Gift Set

Northern Star Polish – Harry Potter Gift Set

Yes this is exactly how it comes!  How stinking adorable is that?  In this beautiful well composed gift set you will receive the following items:

Northern Star Polish – Protego Totalum

Northern Star Cuticle Oil – Butter Brew

(2) Reuseable Owl Charms

Gold Holographic Lightning Glitter

Vial of Red and Gold Glitter Mix with a Deathly Hallows Charm

First and foremost let’s talk about the cuticle oil.  I was so excited to try this.  The oil soaked in very well and left my cuticles looking supple and healthy!  The scent is just heavenly.  I wanted to nibble on my fingernails.  Please folks, do not nibble on your fingernails or try to eat the cuticle oil I’m sure that it won’t taste as delicious as it smells!  It’s a rich butterscotch scent and I can’t get enough!

Now up to the polish.  This is a perfect polish for the holidays in my opinion and I’m sure you’ll be seeing it on me again in future nail art posts!

Northern Star Polish - Protego Totalum

Northern Star Polish – Protego Totalum

‘Tis the season for red polish!  Also look at that owl charm!  I heart owls so much I literally squealed when I saw them.  Protego Totalum is a regal cranberry red linear holographic polish with a golden shimmer (You know red and gold are Gryffindor colors…).  It’s absolutely beautiful.  The holographic effect is hiding here due to weather but I do have a flash photo to give you an idea a bit later on!

Northern Star Polish - Protego Totalum

Northern Star Polish – Protego Totalum

The application and formula on this is absolutely lovely.  I had no problems applying this and it went on very smoothly without any issue.  I think that this is almost a one coat polish.  I tend to use somewhat generous coats but even still these pictures show two coats plus topcoat.  Just like with ALL red or dark polishes this will cling to dry cuticles.  However, I didn’t find the clean up to be all that bad.  I recommend using a heavy duty moisturizer (Or, you know, the Butter Brew cuticle oil like I did!) before polishing and wiping JUST the nail plate with acetone to help keep the polish from grabbing onto your skin.  It did make the clean up easier.  This is not a polish problem it’s just the way deep beautiful pigments are!

Northern Star Polish - Protego Totalum (Flash)

Northern Star Polish – Protego Totalum (Flash)

I tried to get some of the holo to come out and play.  Even with flash it was very camera-shy.  Silly fall dreary weather!

You want one of these adorable gift sets for yourself or a loved one?  Well you’re in luck they will be available on Friday November 30, 2015 at Noon CST.  The cost of the set is a ridiculously low (in my opinion) $17.50.  Seriously, these will make awesome stocking stuffers, Holiday gift swap presents, or personal indulgence!  You can order yours at Northern Star Polish’s Store.  Be sure to follow Northern Star on Facebook and Instagram!

 

P.S. Don’t forget that Boom Shaka Lacquer’s Two-Year Blogiversary Giveaway is going on until December 1, 2015 and there are some FANTASTIC prizes.  You definitely don’t want to miss out.  Click Here to find out more!