Gradient Mani

The One Inspired by Coffee and Nail Polish

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today??  It's Tuesday which means my work week has started and I'm already looking forward to Friday.  Actually work wasn't too bad yesterday.  I distracted myself from my actual job by decorating two of our four Christmas trees.  All four have been decorated by little ol' me and I kind of don't want to see another Christmas ornament again.  That's four 7.5 foot trees, three strands of 100 count lights on each, and 96 ornaments on each.  Yes, I went overboard, but the resident's love it.

Today's design is one I did awhile ago and it got lost in the draft posts here on The Little Canvas.  This manicure was inspired by the wonderful Shannon from Coffee and Nail Polish.  It's a fun gradient tape with my favorite colors...purple and blue!

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • OPI - My Boyfriend Scales Walls
  • OPI - Polly Want a Lacquer?
  • OPI - Rich Girls and Po Boys
  • OPI - Kiss Me I'm Brazilian
  • Zoya - Tomoko
Isn't it the most perfect manicure ever?!  The tape designs took awhile to do because I didn't have any stencils, so I placed every single piece of tape where you are seeing the white.  When i had the tape how I liked it, which took forever with my OCD, I painted the three OPI polishes onto the sponge in a random pattern and applied it to the nail.  I then quickly removed the tape and got the lovely look.  

Now, my advice with this type of manicure - wait a solid 10 minutes before applying top coat!  If you apply too soon, the gradient will smudge into the white areas!

What do you think?  Like this design as much as I do?  Don't you think the color combination is perfect???

Until next time, <3.


Sally Hansen

The One With the Sally Hansen Smoosh Mani

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing on this fine Saturday?  I finally got all my Christmas lights up on the house and the decorations done at work.  I am officially ready for Christmas.  Well, I haven't bought any gifts yet, but I still have about 28 days...right?

Today's manicure is a smoosh manicure.  I was feeling completely uninspired the other night and had no idea what to do on my nails.  I started to paint and this idea came into my mind.  I hadn't done a smoosh manicure in awhile, and I had a new stamper I wanted to try to see if the look was easier to create.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • ORLY - Liquid Vinyl
  • Sally Hansen - King of Shadows
  • China Glaze - Disco Ball Drop
  • OPI - This Crown Needs a Gown
Mish mosh of brands used for this manicure, but what can I say, they colors all came together perfectly.  King of Shadows is a gorgeous dusty purple polish which covers completely in two coats.  I've used this polish once before and am a little mad that I haven't used it more.

Disco Ball Drop by China Glaze is one of their new glitters from the holiday collection.  I bought it because, well, it's a silver holo glitter and you know me and my silver holos.  Kind of a sparse glitter which needed a little dabbing but it wasn't too awful.  It reminds me of OPI's In True Stefani Fashion but instead of square glitters, it's hex.

What do you think?  Fan of the smoosh manicure?

Until next time, <3.


ILNP

The One With the Harvest Pumpkin Manicure

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!!  How are you all doing today?  Are you all ready for Thanksgiving??  I cannot believe that the holiday is tomorrow.  Where did November go?  I really feel like this month flew by, probably because it's been so busy at work.  Oh well.

Today's manicure is a Fall Harvest Pumpkin design for Thanksgiving.  I was going to post it tomorrow but I figured I'd get the mani up on the blog the day before so I don't have to worry about blogging on Thanksgiving.  Not like I'll be doing much other than watching the parade and dog show.

Let's take a look at the manicure!


Colors Used:
  • ILNP - Clockwork
  • Sinful Colors - Pandora
  • OPI - My Vampire is Buff
  • OPI - Crawfishin' for a Compliment
Pandora by Sinful Colors is so so so so so gorgeous!!!  I cannot remember when I bought this polish, and honestly had no idea I owned it until I was searching for the perfect Fall color for this design.  I don't even think I had used it.  Two coats and it had full coverage of the most gorgeous terra-cotta color with a subtle shimmer.  I'm so mad I haven't used it before.

What do you think?  Fan of the cute little pumpkin manicure??

I hope everyone has a blessed Thanksgiving!!!

Until next time, <3.


Dot Mani

The One With the Bestie Twin Nails Re-Creation

9:00:00 AM


 Good morning polished world and Happy Sunday!!  How's the weather where you are?  It's gross, windy, and snowy here.  I am so happy I got all my Christmas lights in the garden before this weather rolled in because I would have not been a happy camper setting them up in this.  I also set up the outdoor lights at work on Friday when it was semi warm and sunny.  Sure, I was frozen and exhausted come Friday evening, but it's all done and looks amazing.

Today's manicure is a re-creation of a Bestie Twin Nail design that I did last year with Fashion Footing.  It's been months since Amanda and I have done a BTN and I think it's about time we come together again and maybe even start our tradition up again.

Since Thanksgiving is around the corner, I wanted to re-create a fall-ish floral design we did last November.  I truly loved last years design, but switched it up a little this year.

Let's take a look.


Colors Used:
  • Morgan Taylor - Don't Break my Corazon
  • OPI - My Vampire Is Buff
  • ORLY - Bling
  • OPI - Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet
  • OPI - No Tan Lines
My switch up wasn't much. The first difference is that I used a lighter red polish.  Don't Break My Corazon is a gorgeous cream by Morgan Taylor.  It had full coverage in one coat, but I used two for the manicure.  I didn't think I was going to like this color, but I fell in love with it.

The second switch was my index finger.  Last year I did the floral design, but this year I decided to do a dot design which combined all the colors and I think tied the manicure together really well.

What do you think?  Like this Fall design?  Something you'd try?

Until next time, <3.

China Glaze

The One With the Tribal Manicure

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!!!  How are you all doing today?  It's Thursday but it feels like it should be a Friday.  It's been a long week so far but I have gotten a lot accomplished.  I have edited photos, pre-published some posts, and got all my Christmas lights up on the house before the winter storm this weekend.  Yeah, you are reading that right, we are expecting a winter storm before Thanksgiving.  It's been such a weird Fall, especially since all the leaves are still on the trees, but it's almost the end of November.

Today's manicure is a cute tribal design.  I've done this exact tribal look before, just on a different base.  I should start switching up my free-hand designs, but the evening I did this manicure it was late, I was tired, and not really feeling too creative.  Regardless, I'm in love with how it turned out.

Let's take a look.


Colors Used:
  • China Glaze - Flip Flop Fantasy
  • China Glaze - Big Hair and Bubbly
  • Color Club - Blue Ming
  • ORLY - Liquid Vinyl
Isn't that gradient amazing??  I used the original formula of Flip Flop Fantasy for this design.  You know, the one that is more pink than coral.  I hate when polish companies change their formulas and you are forced to sparingly use your favorite until the bitter end.  I probably couldn't get a coat of my original Flip Flop Fantasy on my nail if I tried, therefore it's a gradient only polish.  I love how it looks mixed with Blue-Ming.

Big Hair and Bubbly is my new favorite gold glitter.  This polish is from China Glaze's new holiday collection.  The girl's at my local Sally Beauty let me have a sneak peek of the collection at the beginning of November and I picked out my four favorites - all being glitters.  Kind of shocking since I never wear glitter polishes, but I did this in hopes I start using my glitters again.  After using this one, I for sure will.  It applied wonderfully over a base of gold polish.  No need for dabbing or placing any of the large pieces.  Happy to have this because all of my gold glitter are either dried up, or have holo pieces.  

What do you think?  Like this tribal design?  Fan of the gold glitter?

Until next time, <3.


Serendipity Polish

The One With the Serendipity Polish Abstract Manicure

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today?  I'm doing well as I have finally edited all of my old manicures that I've been sitting on.  I have 6 posts to share and I'm extremely embarrassed with myself that I do not have a better posting schedule.   I looked at my Instagram and have only posted 3 manicures this month and we are already halfway through November.  Sigh.

Today's design is an abstract design I did using some of my beloved Serendipity Polish's.  When they closed up shop, I purchased most of the colors that I didn't already have.  Kind of sad that there are two that my collection will forever be without but what can you do.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • Serendipity Polish - #GoalDigger
  • Serendipity Polish - Peace, Love, and Sandy Feet
  • Serendipity Polish - Pink Poinsettia
  • Serendipity Polish - Bottomless Mimosas
  • Acrylics
Kind of neat, isn't it? I started off with a base coat of #GoalDigger which is a white polish that covers in one coat.  That's right, just like pretty much every other Serendipity Polish this was a one coater.  So upsetting that I find the perfect white and cannot get another bottle.  Par for the course, right?

To get the rest of the look, I just dry brushed the colors randomly on the nail.  When they dried, I went through with a grey and black acrylic and added the grey lines and the dots.  I tried to make it look abstract and I think it turned out rather well.

What do you think?  Fan of this design?  Mad at me that I have been failing at posting?

Until next time, <3.

Flowers

The One Inspired By One Nail To Rule Them All

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  How are you all doing today??  I apologize that I haven't been updating the blog regularly but this Day Light Savings has thrown me off and I'm exhausted by the end of the night.  I have 7 posts to share, so maybe tomorrow I'll write them all up and pre-publish them.  We will see though since I got the bright idea to do a Pinterest craft.

Today's nail art is inspired by One Nail to Rule Them All.  I have been a fan of Alice's blog since I started blogging way back when.  She's a fellow nail artist who creates some really cute designs on short nails.  Therefore, re-creating her designs on my nails is super easy.

Months ago I came across this design on her Instagram and instantly fell in love.  The grey with the yellow florals and black accented leaves....just everything about it was great.  It's one of those designs that I never would have come up with on my own.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • Sally Hansen - Greyfitti
  • Acrylics
Greyfitti is a gorgeous grey polish which I am beyond happy to have part of my collection.  You know how much I love the Miracle Gel line, so a grey polish was one of the colors that I was missing.  Two coats and full coverage.  Usually with greys, I need three coats because they're watery, but this one is perfect.

I used acrylics for the design because I was tired and lazy.  Using acrylics for art is so much easier than using polish.  Especially because when you make a mistake you can erase it and start over without having to destroy your base coat.

What do you think?  Like this design?  Something you'd try?

Until next time, <3.


Animal Print

The One With the Zoya Leopard Manicure

9:00:00 AM


God morning polished world!!  How are you all doing on this fine Tuesday?  It's starting to feel like winter here.  Cold temperatures, windy, and of course snow in the forecast.  Who knows if we will actually get snow because I feel like the meteorologists always get it wrong.

Today's design is a simple leopard print I did when I was feeling completely uninspired.  I wasn't sure what color combination to do, so I decided to dig into my Zoya's and use some of them.  I have so many Zoya polishes, but I rarely use them, especially the nude colors.

Let's take a look!


Colors Used:
  • Zoya - Tomoko
  • Zoya - Rocky
  • Zoya - Taylor
  • Zoya - Raven
I did this manicure with a pink accent years ago, but am really loving it with Rocky.  It amazes me after years of not using it, and the label missing from the bottom, I still remember the name of this polish.  I think that show that I have a real addiction here.  Two coats and full coverage on this beauty.

Accented with Tomoko, my favorite of the Pixie dusts and probably the most used Zoya in my collection.  It's very multi-functional and can be used with so many different designs.

What do you think?  Like this design?  Do you like Zoya polishes?  I kind of hate the thin brushes....blend their polish with OPI's brush and I'd be fully in love.

Until next time, <3.


Dot Mani

The One With the Polka Dots and ORLY Mirrorball

9:00:00 AM


Good morning polished world!  Welcome to November.  Let's see if I can post as many manicures as I did in October.  Last month was kind of the exception because of Halloween.  Maybe in December I can do the month of all Christmas designs and then post dozens upon dozens.

Anyways, today's design is a super simple polka dot manicure using one of my all time favorite polishes - ORLY Mirrorball.  Back when Sally Beauty discontinued this polish from their core collection display, I purchased 5 bottles at a discounted rate.  I have no regrets other than I wish I bought more.


Color Used:
  • ORLY - Mirrorball
  • ORLY - Liquid Vinyl
Isn't it gorgeous??  Look at that holo goodness!!!!  What I love about this polish is that not only does it have your normal linear holo, but it also has holo hex glitters throughout which adds just a little more sparkle and umph.  It really is an amazing polish and one of a kind from a mainstream brand.  I have yet to see other brands like China Glaze or OPI come out with something similar. 

Originally I was going to do a tape manicure with this design, but then after seeing how gorgeous Mirrorball was on it's own, I really couldn't bring myself to cover it up.  Therefore I went for a super simple dot manicure, which I haven't done in forever.

What do you think?  Love this holo?  Have about 10 bottles of your own??

Until next time, <3.

Monthly Mani Favs

The One With October's #MonthlyManiFavs

9:00:00 AM

Good morning polished world and Happy November!!!  Odd start to the month, yesterday it was freezing and now today it's going to be warm.  Hopefully I can get at least one more warm day so I can put up my Christmas lights.  I won't turn them on until after Thanksgiving, but I like to get them on the trees and bushes beforehand so I'm not freezing my butt off in December.

Since I wanted to post Halloween manicures right up until the very last day of the month, I am coming to you today with my Monthly Mani Favorites from October!  Now I had two manicures which were not Halloween ones, and I did love one of them and wanted to include it in the collage, but my OCD wouldn't let me.  I needed to share a collage of just Halloween designs.  Yes, I'm crazy.

Let's take a look!


  1. The One With the Halloween Paint Drip - I haven't done a paint drip manicure in I don't know how long.  I really need to do one again this month or even in December.  The base of this polish was beyond perfect.  I will be using it for Christmas and for St. Patrick's Day.
  2. The One With the Halloween Smoosh Manicure - Another manicure I haven't done in a while - the smoosh manicure.  This design was a recreation of one I did last year.  Loved it then, and love it now.  Anyone have any color ideas for future smoosh manicures?
  3. The One With the Halloween Splatter Manicure - I wanted to come up with something a little different for a Halloween design, and this mani was the result.  It was a twist on the candy corn gradient with a fun black splatter.  I think this was my favorite manicure of the month.
  4. The One With the Neon Green Spider Webs - Drink Up Witches by China Glaze is an amazing neon green polish.  I always mean to use this polish in the summer time, then I look at the name and put it back.  Sure, it can be used year round, but when it's such a Halloween name, I feel weird using it at any other time of the year.  I also talked about in my post how much I love the hex glitter and that I need to use more.  Yeah, well, I remembered quickly why I don't use them when I went to remove it.  Took me forever.
What do you think?  Was there a manicure you liked more than what I posted?

Until next time, <3.