How to patch a torn nail

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I'm back now! YAY!

This post is about fixing a tear on your nail.... I do it the MacGyer way... The things you will need are:
1. Coffee Filter (normal plain Jane coffee filter, not the new recycled ones) you can also use a tea bag but I find that a coffee filter holds up better and is stronger
2. Super glue or nail glue
3. Tweezers
4. Scissors
5. Nails file
6. Nail buffer

In the picture above; you will notice in the top left picture it shows my initial tear I got 😟. The top right picture shows where I filed the tear and the surrounding area. you need to do this so that you have a slightly rougher surface so the glue and coffee filter have something to hold onto. You will need to cut (2 layers is what I use) a piece of coffee filter slightly bigger then the tear. Put a drop of glue on your nail and then place the piece of coffee filter on it. You want to get the coffee filter as close to the edge as possible, so you don't risk snagging the tear and ripping your nail completely off. I then take my tweezers and hold the corners down, so everything is completely glued down. Once the glue is dry and all the corners are glued down I repeat the process. Two lays is way stronger then one layer. The bottom right picture shows the coffee filter completely glued down, that's how it should look. Once you have both layers glued down then you will gently file down the edges of the filter, be sure not to file to much cause you don't wana file off too much of your patch job and defeat the purpose of the patch. Once the edges are filed down I then buff the nail until its flush with your nail. The picture below shows my finished patch job. 

Galaxy/ Nebula Nail Tutorial

As requested by my good friend Steff ( http://instagram.com/steffasaurus.rex?modal=true) ... Here is a tutorial on (my version of a non-traditional galaxy nails design). This can be kinda time consuming and you will use lots of different colored polish....but it will be well worth it! I promise!!! 

So lets get started!!!

You will need:

Black nail polish

White nail polish

At least 3 different shades of blue polish (going from dark blue to light blue)

A neon lime green polish (used for highlights)At least 3 different shades of purple nail polish (i used 4 different shades)

A good glitter polish (I highly recommend INM Northern Lights-Silver... its a MUST HAVE!!!)

A good top coat (I use Glisten and Glow HK Girl

A make-up sponge (old or new, doesn't matter cause you will be tearing it up) 

Dotting Tool (with the smallest point)

Tweezers (optional, makes it easier to control the torn up make-up sponge)

White acrylic paint

and your freehand paint brush

(and some acetone... cause we all need a lil of that in our lives)

You will need a different piece of torn sponge for every color you use.

 Step by step:
1. Paint your nails black
2. Add a drop on white polish onto a piece of paper and dip your sponge in it...you may want to dab the sponge on your paper to get off any excess paint, then start dabbing the sponge on your dried black nails in the designs you want. (the white helps make the other colors POP)
3. Now, get your darkest shade of blue (or purple), put a drop of the polish onto the paper and repeat the about step, BUT stay around the edge of the white and even put some onto the back part.
4. Now get to the second to darkest blue (or purple) and repeat the above process, you're trying to achieve a good blend going from darkest to lightest.
5. Now take the light blue (or light purple) and do the same.
6. This applies only to the blue nail, but once i was done with all my blues and i had it blended to my liking.. i went in and added some green highlights.
**Just a heads up, your nails will look absolutely ridiculous UNTIL you add your glitter and a good Topcoat** 

I added 2 coats of Norther Lights, then i added my freehand "stars"..and then added two more coats of Northern Lights, Then finished it off with a good topcoat.

 

Final Product!!!

Arizona Ice Tea Nail Tutorial

As requested by my dear friend Lisa, here is a tutorial on the Arizona Ice Tea inspired nail design. The picture below shows you all of the tools needed:

Turquoise/ light green nail polish, two dotting tools, my freehand paint brush, 2 different shades of pink acrylic paint, black and white acrylic paint, a great top coat and my clean up brush.

Final Product 

Christmas Light Nail Tutorial

Continuing with the Christmas themed nails and tutorials, here is a simple Christmas Light Nail Tutorial:

Tip: once again I did this nail design with acrylic paint, my freehand favorite paint brush and a dotting tool.

Final Product

Snowflake Tutorial ❄

So since its officially the day after Thanksgiving I felt it was acceptable to do a "Winter Themed" nail design, so I chose SNOWFLAKES! ❄❄ I also did my first tutorial on how I did them. You'll notice that I'm doing it on a nail wheel... I had already done my nails so I figured showing you on the wheel would work just fine!

Tip: I dip my brush into cuticle oil before I dip it into paint. It allows for a thin, solid line. Also, I use acrylic paint for all my freehand/ detailed painting.

The final product! 

Freehand Nail Painting

One of my biggest passions recently has been Freehand Nail Art... I found the best brushes for it you can find at the "bornprettystore" ...they are small, easy to use and allow you to create intricate designs

The 2 bottom brushes are my freehand painting brushes...the top brush is from @joliepolish, it's the best clean up brush any nail addict could ask for.  For my freehand painting I find it easiest to work with acrylic paint.  I first paint my nails with whatever polish I want my base/ background to be, let dry completely! Once my polish is dry I am free to paint whatever design I want with my acrylic paint...if for some reason you don't like what you painted, clean off with rubbing alcohol and start over.  When I am satisfied with my artwork I top everything off with a good fast drying topcoat. 


 Here are some of my recent Freehand designs:

How it all began....

I left the concrete jungle of Orange County California a little over 4 years ago.... Now I have 40 acres and a mule...just kidding. (I'm watching Gone with the Wind right now and that part just came on.) But in all honesty, I live in the country now with my man, and our two dogs. Before I left California I was an a religious nail biter, acrylic wearings typically California girl. Once I moved I found I didn't trust anyone to do my nails, so that's when my nail journey began....

I took me about 6 good long months to grow out my weak, peeling, acrylic ruined nails... I used "Nailtique Formula 2: Nail protein" to help bring my nails back to life. It took some time to grow all the damaged nail out, but once it was gone I have been left with beautiful, strong natural nails.

My current natural nails