Tequila Sunrise Mani!

It's been raining pretty much non stop here in Boston since Sunday, so I decided I needed to perk up my nails a bit. Since we are nearing summer and I have tropical things in mind (even if I'm not going anywhere tropical this summer), I wanted to do a tropical drink mani. I then realized this could be a good series for me! So here's the first in my series of tropical drink: Tequila Sunrise!

I used Sinful Colors Unicorn, Island Coral, and Hazard to create the gradient (using the make-up sponge method). I sponged the colors over a white base to really help the colors pop and added my favorite topcoat Nfu Oh #61 to make the nails sparkle. I then topped off my accent nail with a (fimo) lime slice just like the drink! Unfortunately, I didn't have any orange juice to make a tequila sunrise while doing my mani, so I enjoyed a Blue Point Toasted Lager instead. Close enough!

It's getting hot in here!

It's finally starting to get warm up here in Boston, so felt I had to reflect that with my nails this week. All I wanted was warm, sunny colors. Plus, I just got a huge order from Walgreen's and I try out some of the new colors. Because I'm absolutely in love with gradients right now I did another one, this time with Island Coral, All About You, and Unicorn by Sinful Colors.

From left to right: Island Coral, All About You, and Unicorn

I used Unicorn as the base except for my ring finger where I used Island Coral as an accent. I then used the make-up sponge method (a tutorial can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3ibJMow27A) to create the gold glitter gradient, reversing the gradient on the accent nail.

I'm not usually a yellow person, but I really like SC Unicorn. It's still definitely yellow when you look at it but it's subtle. Island Coral and All About You are equally amazing! I wish I had used a slightly warmer yellow, but over all I like the way it turned out. 

More Gradients

Since my first attempt at gradients, I've become obsessed. They are so easy and pretty! For this one I started with a base of CG Purple Panic.

I then used a make-up sponge to sponge on Nfu Oh #61 on top. It worked wonderfully. Looks like I found a good use for NO #61! 

I chose not to use a topcoat on this manicure since I didn't want to ruin the holographic effect. That was definitely a good choice! I love the flat purple combined with holographic silver!

First Attempt at Gradients

I tried using make-up sponges last night to create a neon gradient manicure. It was super easy and super messy! As you can see

Before clean up

Next time I'm definitely going to try putting cuticle oil or hand lotion around the nail to help make clean up easier. 

To create the mani I used my favorite CG neons: Turned Up Turquoise, Purple Panic, and Pink Voltage. All I did was paint the colors onto the make-up sponge and sponged it onto my nails. I did it on my bare nail with just a clear base coast underneath. Most people use a white base coat to avoid having to stamp many layers. I don't have white polish yet, so I just just did 4 layers of stamping. Covering the stamping right away with a clear top coat helps smooth the transition between colors. I bought cheap make-up sponges for this but they kept breaking and leaving bits on my nail. Once dry I was able to gently rub them off but I may try another brand in the future.

I will definitely be doing this again. I was one of the easiest and most beautiful manicures I've done! I just love it!