1/21/2012 Paint it Black

If you know me, you know that I am a bit of an Ebenezer….OK let’s cut to the chase…I am cheap.  You heard me say it and if you don’t believe me, I will be the first person to admit that I have found a way to squeeze every drop of blood from a turnip.  And after I have seized the kinship out of that fleshy edible root, I’m makin’ tea from the parched left overs bay-bee!!! (Nods head in self appreciation and slyly raises eyebrows)

Don’t feel sorry on my behalf, for I have embraced my cheapness and molded it to my advantage…and now I am passing the knowledge on to you! Please…no applause…well maybe at the end…

This knowledge is shrouded in mystery no more…that’s why I am gonna show you how to create some bangin’…over-the-top…ridiculously cool…jaw dropping Leopard Print finger nails on cheap.  And all from the comfort of your couch no less.  These polished nails are so amazing that when you enter any room, onlookers will proclaim in admiration, “We can now get the party started for the superstar has arrived.”

Let’s get started.  I am using 8 different nail polishes. 6 colors, a base coat, and a top coat. But feel free to use as many or a few polishes as you would like.  My nail polish stash is…well let just say I could probably paint the White House…ok maybe not the white house but definitely a small dog house.

First you want to manicure your digits and wash your finger nails well.  Except if you are going for the zombie look, then leave them as they are.  They gotta be oil free though because the polish will last a week that way.

1. 1.       Paint one layer of base coat onto the nail.  I am using OPI base coat for natural nails ($8.00). It dries pretty fast!
2. 
   
3. 2.       Paint your solid coat on next.  Use a polish that will coat well in one layer. I am kickin’ it old school and using Wet’n’Wild’s Lust, which is a hot pink.  For a little intrigue I painted the ring fingers in a different color.  I used Wet’n’Wild’s Morbid (a super dark green).  Both cost about 2 bucks.

1. 3.      Next comes the detailing.  The easy part is to paint a yellow tip on the ring finger (I’m using Sun by Ulta).
2. 
   
3. 4.       While the yellow dries, you are going to want to paint some messy looking “U” all over your pink paint.  Also paint some random dots in between the squiggly “U’s.” (I am using Brash-Black with a fine line art brush: $2)

1. 5.       When the yellow has dried, take you fine line black and paint a striped at the base of the yellow time to cover any lines that are not straight.  Also, paint some messy “U” on the yellow.
2. 
   
3. 6.       Now in the middle of the Black “U’s,” place a dot of turquoise. I am using LA Girl Flare.  I got this one for free as a gift (WOOHOO!!)
4. 
   
5. 7.       Place a neon orange dot on the yellow as well.
6. 
   
7. 8.       Wait for everything to dry and top everything off with a clear top coat.
8. 
   
9. 9.       You’re done and now you have some bangin’ cheap nails.  The initial purchase of the polish can be pricey but you can paint your nails a ton of times.  Also, you don’t have to use the colors that I did, just pick out one’s you have on hand.

The next time some jerk cuts you off in traffic at least you will be able to give the bird in style.

This is Kisha stepping down from the soap box so don’t forget to send us a picture of your cheap nails at amyecho@amyecho.com. I know this was kinda involved for nail art, so if all else fails…just paint it black!

View older posts in the Archive by clickintg here