I am an artist and I love to see the runway designs of the Paris fashion shows each spring. They give me ideas for future art, design and DIY projects. This year Louis Vuitton really fueled my creativity. The bold, dynamic, graphic designs of the fabrics gave me plenty of ideas. On top of that, I have become intrigued with the amazing nail art I see on Pinterest. Being a muralist, I can paint the side of the Empire State Building with ease. Give me a small canvas and tiny little brushes and I am all thumbs. (PUN somewhat intended.) But I am determined enough to take that graphic inspiration of Louis Vuitton (see images below) and do some artwork on my nails…Runway Nails here I come!!!
Designer’s Tip. Do you wonder how people do such beautiful artwork on fingernails? Think no longer. Sally Hansen has come out with a line of products especially for those Runway Nails we all want. Nail Art Pens in beautiful colors, glittery colored polishes and even nail decals for those who are less able to create are available today. Sally Hansen has something for everyone and every skill level. I found mine at Walgreens. #ILuvNailArt
Spring Runway Fashions Spark My Runway Nails
Oh yeah…for the inspiration. Spring is my favorite time to shop for clothing or, at least, window shop. I love all the beautiful spring colors and, luckily, I can wear them year round in Florida. Here are some of my favorite spring fashion trends for 2013.
The year is BOLD with loads of prints, graphic stripes, checks and happy colors. Think 1960s and Twiggy! {That probably dates me.} Think clear-cut patterns, bold colors and blunt silhouettes. Designers are mixing lemon yellow, cobalt blue, black and white to recreate the mod shift dresses of the 60s. Little or no accessories are needed to ace the mod look, so you can focus on makeup…dramatic eyes and great nail art!
My Sunday Nail Art
Was this ever fun. I so enjoyed shopping online at Walgreens for nail art supplies. There were so many choices. I was like a kid in a candy store. Here is what I bought…the yellow Insta-Dri Nail Polish was purchased at my local Walgreens store since it was not available online. Everything else came from their online store in just a few days. Walgreens (online or in store) has a BOGO 50% on Insta-Dri and Salon Effects until 3/30/13. Plus, if you buy 2 between 3/10-3/16, you receive 2,000 balance reward points!!! That’s a big plus!!!
I took a quiet Sunday afternoon to do my nail art. I brought all my supplies out into the garden in a basket. I had a glass of my favorite mint tea, sunshine and lots of color to play with. That is one great afternoon for me.
I needed to do three coats of the sunny yellow Sally Hansen Insta-Dri nail color. I wanted a solid coverage for my nail art. And true to its name, it does dry very quickly. That is a big plus for nail art.
Designer’s Tip. This is how you start the nail pens. The tip is white to begin. You must shake it well with the top on first. Then you press the tip to paper for a few seconds (maybe 15) until color starts to flow. Once you see the color you are ready to paint. The pens are a marvelous invention, much like colored markers. They are so easy to use. You can achieve a thin line with little or no pressure. You get thicker marks if you press harder. It takes some practice to get the feel of drawing on a tiny, rounded surface with the pens, but you can wipe (or wash) it off and try again until you are happy with your design. Just keep trying and you will create something you love.
I wanted only one accent nail to stand out…that would be the yellow and pink checked nail. The rest of my nails would be pink polka dots on yellow. Here is the nifty end result.
Pretty snazzy even if I did have to paint on this tiny canvas. Glad my nails are long and strong. Except I broke three of my nails the day before I was going to do my nail art. ;( BUMMER!!! But most look like the above examples. So I am pretty happy with them. {Pats self on back!!!}
Craft Fail
OOPS!!! One note of caution. Make sure you seal the artwork with clear topcoat as soon as the directions say you can. And be careful not to rub your artful nails on anything in the meantime. And don’t wash your hands before the topcoat or this is what they look like…all that work vanished…Sigh!!!
Color Story for 2013
Pantone recently released their spring/summer 2013 fashion color report. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, explained the forecast: “It’s this mix of dynamic brights and soft neutrals that create a harmonious balance – a balance we all try to achieve in our daily lives. {BALANCE is my word for the year!} The expression of this balancing act in the spring 2013 palette is something we can all relate to as we try to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives.”
Photo ©: Pantone.com
My Favorites for Spring/Summer 2013
What are your fave fashion trends for this spring? Here are three of mine.
Bermuda Shorts… slouchy, cool-girl shorts!
The above are from Peter Som, Rag & Bone, DKNY for spring 2013
Beautiful Beading…yes to the bling!
The above are from Oscar de la Renta, Altuzarra, Marchesa for spring 2013
Flats and Low Heels…see my feet doing the happy dance?
The above are from Peter Som, Marc Jacobs for spring 2013
Please click the graphic below for more Nail Art inspiration.
Find all the brands online:
Walgreens
Sally Hansen
#I Heart Nail Art on Facebook
See My Instagrams
Shopping for Nail pens at Walgreens Online
Nail Art Sunday
Sunny Nails Basecoat
My Nail Art
My Nail Art Inspiration
Collage Photo credits
Balmain Pant Suit: Vladimir Potop Reuters
Balmain Coat: Getty
Louis Vuitton designs: www.mydaily.co.uk
handbags: luxatic.com
I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias® and COTY. All opinions are my own. #cbias #SocialFabric
Sara Pirate (@CleverPirate) says
Cute nails, love the bright colors! Bummer about the art work coming off though, good to know!
Rebecca E. Parsons says
Oh I just did it again Sara!!! Practice makes perfect!!!
Ashley says
I’ve been wanting to try these nail art pens so bad. After seeing this, I’m seriously going to go get some!