DIY:dotting tools

Not many people want to spend money on something they can make at home with stuff they already have.  I'm going to show you two different ways to make a dotting tool using supplies you probably already have in your house.

Dotting tool using a pencil... (like this:)

...and a pin (Like this).

Insert the pin into the eraser end of the pencil and you have a dotting tool. the dot next to the tool is the dot size this particular pin makes.  I'm not a seamstress so I don't know if they come in different sizes but if they do It would work the same to get multiple sized dots.

Dotting tool using a bobby pin:

Just a normal bobby pin is all you'll need!!!  :)

Unbend the bobby pin so that you only make one dot.

As you can see the bobby pin makes a smaller dot...

Just for comparison I put them side by side to show the difference in dot size.

                                                                          -Hannah <3

Leopard Print Nails!!!

I'm really sorry I didn't get a chance to post those second 4th of July nails post!!!  :(  I decided to do this leopard print design to try and make up for it.  My sisters having a birthday party tomorrow and of course I needed my nails to match my shirt!!!  This design is perfect for really any day but it just worked out that I have a shirt to match!!! :)

                                                                                     -Hannah <3

Supplies:
  -Base and Top coat ( I used Sally Hansen "Green Tea + Bamboo Nail Strengthener")
  -A white polish (I used OPI "Funny Bunny")
  -A peachy red orange color (I didn't have this color so i mixed Essie "Bachelorette Bash" and China Glaze "Orange Knockout (neon)")
  -A dark navy striper (I used a navy striperite)

Inspiration:

My shirt I got at Forever 21

1.  Paint the white polish on all of your nails.  Mine took three coats because funny bunny is a really shear color.

2.  After your white polish dries completely add random white dots with your peachy color. Make sure they vary in size.

3.  Randomly outline the peach dots with your navy striper as shown above.  I can't really describe exactly what that technique is.

 4. Add a few random dots to complete.

5. Apply your topcoat and let dry.  :)
Remember Sydney and I would LOVE to see you re-creations of our designs!!!  <3

*Credits*
  -Artist: Hannah W.
  -Model:Hannah W.
  -Shirt: Forever 21  :)

Adding on to Sydney's tips for people with short nails

One of the biggest tips I can give to people with short nails trying to grow them out is: DO NOT POLISH YOUR NAILS until they reach the desired length.  Acetone is Super damaging to your nails!!! I know how hard it is to get that brand new color that is just gorgeous...but DON'T PAINT YOUR NAILS!!! (Of course unless your just growing them out.  If you REALLY want strong long nails don't polish them but if you're just growing them out don't worry about it :)

-Once your nails are at your desired length try to use non-acetone polish remover.  It has slightly less damaging chemicals.

-Make sure you get all of your vitamins!!! Here is a list I found of essential vitamins that promote strong and long nails  :)

    -Vitamin C:  Grows and repairs tissues in your body. (obviously including your nails)
    -Zinc: Protects cells from damage
    -Vitamin B 12: Maintains red blood and skin cells (which helps cuticles)
    -Calcium: Maintains healthy bones and nails, also adds strength
    -Vitamin A: Maintains healthy skin cells
    -Biotin: Regenerates cells (this is also going to prevent wrinkles  ;)
    -Folic Acid: Helps the body make new cells.

*Note: All of these also help promote hair growth since hair and nails are made of the same type of cells.

-I just started taking "Vitafusion: MultiVites" Complete multivitamins.  These cover all of the listed (plus a few more just for health all over the body) minus zinc (which can be found in: High protein foods, seafood, dairy, and raw dark chocolate.) and calcium (which can be found in: Most Dairy products, fish and meat, also most baked goods contain high levels of calcium) these vitamins are gummy vitamins for adults and I got mine at target.  I'm just starting to try vitamins as i just cut my nails and am trying to grow them back out.  But I'm not heeding my own warning and I am going to continue painting my nails because i feel they are pretty healthy right now and I want to continue giving you tutorials :)

-Try to remember to moisturize your hands I use a cuticle cream.  You can also get cuticle cream, oil, and sticks which you also use to push you cuticles back.


-Don't cut your cuticles unless you have the correct tools and really know how.  You can get cuticle remover,  but Sydney and i just try to moisturize and push them back.
                                                                                          -Hannah  <3

Tips and tricks for short nails! feat. Neon polishes!!!

     Unlike all our other posts, this is not a tutorial showing you step by step how to get a design because it's not even a design! These are just some tips and tricks for girls with short nails, ranging from tips to growing them out to tips showing how to make them look longer and not as short!!!
                                                                                                                                                -Sydney                                                                                                                                              

Growing them out:
   The best way to grow them out is to keep them strong and healthy!
 
   Tip #1- ALWAYS have some type of base coat whether its a base coat, a top coat without anything underneath or just a clear coat! This will help protect your nails from anything that might happen to them and it will help prevent breakage.

    Tip #2- Don't use your nails as tools! If your trying to open something where your nails are included and if they could be damaged, ask for someone else to do the job for you! The more you abuse your nails, the weaker they become therefore, the slower they grow.

     Tip #3- Try not to pick at your nails if they break. If your nail chips and there is a part hanging on, try to wait until you have access to nail clippers and a file. hen you file and cut them with clippers and a file it reduces the amount of nail that you have to cut off because if your picking it off with your teeth or your fingers, your just ripping the nail further back than it could be if you cut them.

     Tip #4- If you play sports such as softball (like me), basketball, lacrosse or anything that involves hands (actually i guess soccer is the only sport that doesn't involve hands except like drop kicking but you get that i mean), you don't have the best of luck with having long nails. I am a pitcher so the ball is constantly in my hand or I'm batting so there is always something in my hands so I break my nails really easily. During the softball season I can't have them as long as I normally do because they are going to break anyway since they are always in contact with something.

    Tip #5- Lastly, You can always take supplements that promote strong nails and help them grow faster. From past experience, using base and top coats that say they make your nails grow faster don't work so I wouldn't recommend wasting your money on something that doesn't even work unless you find one that actually does!

Making them look longer:
     Neons, neons, neons!!! Try neon polishes, the brighter the color, the longer your nails look. For some reason neon colors make your nails look longer! Also a color that matches the color of your skin makes them look not quite as short because there is no attention being brought to your nails. Now I'm not saying if you wear neon polished your nails are going to like 5 feet longer! I'm saying hat they make them look not as short and darker colors make them look shorter! and it's also great for summer!

     Some examples:

China Glaze's "Sun Worshiper"

China Glaze's "In the Lime Light"

                                   

China Glaze's "shocking pink"

                                   

Orly's "Green with Envy"

Zoya's "Charisma"

Do you see how the neon colors make her nails look longer? Especially the first three, the last two were neon but not as bright and neon as the others!

If you compare the green above to the neons you can definitely see the difference in low they look length wise! The contrast with her nails and skin color make her nails and where they end more noticeable so if you have darker skin I would go with darker colors and if you have lighter skin, go with brighter colors!:)




*Credits:
       Artist and blog poster- Sydney
       Model: Carly