Understated Neon Nails with Simple How To

Oh my, CherrySue, with these nail posts you are really spoiling us - you're thinking it, aren't you? That or 'For the love of Jebus ANOTHER polish post! Either way, it's here, 

let's take a mo to take it in, shall we? 

I picked up this slate grey/neon zipped fleece hoody in Penney's (Primark) last week for the princely sum of €12. Not only is it super soft and keeping me toasty while I awkwardly jog/amble (jamble?) around the park but it's also wooing me with its neon loveliness. 

Of course I had to recreate it in a nail look. 

OF COURSE. 

What have every one of my nail looks got in common? Yep, stoopid simplicity and this one's no different. The toothpick can be replaced with a bobby pin or dotting tool or even the nib of a Bic pen but the results are the same. 

The effect is a little more subtle than the in your face neons I've been sporting of late but I really kinda like it. 

What do we reckon? 

Neon Nude Leopard Nails with a Simple How To

I'll admit that these aren't work friendly talons, unless of course you work in a bar/nail salon but having picked up a new Model's Own Nail Art Pen in Boots on Friday I decided to give these Wah inspired neon nudes a shot for the weekend.  

As with all of my featured nails these are easy peasy - check out the simple How To: 

If you don't have the nail art pen, you can absolutely use a bobby pin and plain black polish. 

None of these steps need to be too precise as leopard print is naturally higgeldy piggeldy (technical term) but the neon on nude gives a stunning result. 

Nice eh? I may as well tell you that I've been so taken with the Penney's hoody (pictured) that I've another neon nail look coming up this week. Obsessed? Moi? 

Lemme know what you think and, more importantly, lemme know what you're sporting on your nails today...

NOTD: Neon Nude Ruffian (Half Moon) Mani with a Simple How To

Nails today are my nudge to the Summer to get it's act in order and get here quick. I've experimented with neon on nude nail art before and I honestly don't think there's a colour contrast I like more. 

Here I've given the Ruffian (Half moon mani) a shot and the results, though a little wobbly are very nice indeed. Fancy giving them a shot? 

1. Start with a thin white basecoat to make the colours (especially the nude) stand out. I used Essie Blanc though any white will do. 
2. Place your nail art brush on the centre of the nail top and and round to each side. If you're not too steady you can always use 'hole reinforcers'. (I picked this neon nail art polish up in Dealz for €1.49 btw)
3. Use your first coat of nude polish (Essie Brooch the Subject) to perfect the neon line. And your second coat to build the nude colour. 
4. A high shine top coat seals all layers together beautifully and gives a smooth, salon finish. 

Instagram, yo! (I'm over at @ItsCherrySue by the by)

Neon and Nude: Best o' Buds

Stunners in the sunshine!

Will you be giving these a go? I'm fairly sure if we all have a blast Summer won't have a choice but to show up, right? RIGHT?!

NOTD - Livening up the Grey!

Yep, that's my Hi-Vis jacket just out of shot there. OOTD opportunity MISSED

As loathe as I am to admit it, the Summer is over. While I love all things Autumnal, I'm still smarting from the thought of not getting away this year, I know most of us are in the same boat - well those of us that aren't twit piccing views of the pool through our pedicured tootsies *mumbles obscenities*. 

One of the polish colours announced by those in the know to bring you through A/W 2012 is grey. Yeah, you heard me, grey. While I've nothing against grey personally (anyone that mentions that jaysus book gets slapped), it's not a colour I'd naturally reach for - that was until I tried it with a little neon. 

Thankfully neon hasn't been completely replaced by pastels or browns and reds yet and just look what it can do for a grey. I did the tips freehand but noticed that I needed to do the underside of the nail too to make the yellow really stand out. 

What do we think of the combo?

Easy Half Moon Mani - Using Clippers and Tape!

Not all of us have a steady enough hand for a perfect French Tip or half moon mani for that matter. That's why when I heard mention of a simple clipper trick, I had to give it a try.

Basically to make your own nail guides you use a sharp nail clippers and ordinary tape. The result is less curved than hole reinforcer stickers (what I'd been using previously) and both easier to use and cheaper than ordinary guides. I've done a pictorial below to show just how simple this is.

Step 1: Gather your supplies. Plain tape, a sharp clippers, NYC's Pinstripe White, China Glaze's Flip Flop Fantasy & Model's Own nail art pen in black. 

Step 2: Place small pieces of tape on the back of your hand. This works to both cut them efficiently but also to make the tape tacky so it doesn't stick to your base coat and is easy to remove. 

Step 3: Using your white polish, paint two thin coats as your base. This is a great way to make your neon colour Pop! Allow to dry fully. 

Step 4: Place the tacky tape 1/4 the way down your nail bed, pressing onto the flesh each side and not your nail. Paint one coat of your neon polish. While your neon is still wet, remove the tape carefully. This will give you the sharpest line. 

Step 5: Using your black striper/nail art pen, paint zebra line haphazardly onto the white half moon. 

Step 6: Using a high shine top coat, seal in your design. This one is Sally Hansen's 4 in 1. It's a great all rounder. Gorge. 

Although this particular design isn't for the faint hearted, this trick can be used for straight forward French tips or more subtle half moon manis. 

What do we think? Will you try it? Have you any other little tips or tricks you'd like to share? 

Nail Tip for Summer Pastels & Crazy Neons

I hadn't intended on another nail post quite so quickly but accidentally came across a nice little nail tip this weekend and felt the need to share. I've heard lament and been the lamenter of  the time it takes to apply summer pastels. While sporting a french polish over the weekend I conveniently 'found myself' in Superdrug trying out the lovely Pastel Nail Paints by Barry M. 

Some May have fallen into my mála aprés nail tip discovery.
L-R Mint Green, Blueberry, Strawberry & Lemon

Yup, pastels can be a bit of a PIB (pain in the bum) when it comes to application and that has stopped me purchasing in the past. It can take up to 3 coats to reach the desired opacity, which some of us have neither the time nor the inclination for. Cue me swatching the pastels over a french polish in Superdrug and Eureka! 
The pastels POP instantly when applied over a white base!

We all have a couple o' whites lying 'round for tip work

Half & Half

Difference is immediately noticeable with just one coat

So there you have it, to save time and achieve the desired result a white base coat can really work. Got me to thinking about other PIB colours, such as Neons. 

Et Voila! Great for the impact of Neons too

Have to say I'm all about time saving time and getting faster results so I'll definitely be using this trick in future. 

How 'bout you?