The Rainbow Nails Challenge September 2020: Leaves // Blue Hibiscus & Leaves Nail Art

I have no idea where this look came from. I just saw the stamp design of the floaty leaves and shimmery blue background in my head. The hibiscus came afterwards. These nails look like decals; I'm so impressed.

I also refuse to move into Autumn, summer just came and vanished...or rather I didn't make enough summer nail art because I'm lazy. Anway, Clairestelle8 is back as Alice.Claire.Nails after her account was hacked (honestly, what is wrong with the world??) and there are challenges again! I did a back to school look and today is the last day to get a leaf look done so here it is!

The base is Forest by Barry M and dries to a satin finish. I think the satin finish is ok but this polish is stunning with a glossy topcoat. I took photos without a top coat and it's a good thing I did because after I applied it, I spectacularly ruined my nails trying to open a chocolate bar...I never learn.

I also managed to get some MoYou polishes to behave and the hibiscus flowers turned out really well.

Polishes/Tools Used:-
- Barry M Silk // Forest (blue shimmer)
- MoYou London // Dream Holiday (blue), Deep Ocean (dark blue), Bora Bora (light teal), Mint Condition (light green mint), Snowflake (off-white)
- Nicole Diary Stamping Plate // ND-L14 (leaves)
- MoYou London Stamping Plate // Paradise 05 (hibiscus flowers)

Over The Top-ical // Tropical Leaves, Line Art & Glitter Nail Design

Wow I used so many polishes in this one. It's definitely over-the-top...hence the name. I've also developed a love for matte green glitters; they're just perfect. I need Zoya to do more. Speaking of Zoya, have you seen the new autumn collection. It was love at first sight for me; I'm actually thinking of spending over £100 to get the full set. It's available for pre-order on NailPolishDirect but £110 is a lot of money for just 12 shades.

Anyway, I'm trying my best to cling onto summer nails with this look inspired by Lieve91's black & white geometric design that she did last year which you can now recreate thanks to her collab with MoYou London.

I'm not sure what would be easier; practice stamping to get straight black lines or practice painting. This doesn't look completely awful though so I'm happy.

The glitter nails are a green shimmer with two layers of the Zoya matte glitter on top and then some holo glitter because I couldn't resist. I had to take them off almost immediately though because these shades stain within about an hour. I'll have to paint some falsies with this combo so I can wear it for longer. 

Here's my prototypes for this look:

The entire look came together over a few days as I kept practicing designs. The one on the right is completely hand=painted with acrylic paint. I bought some flow-improver and it's radically changed how my acrylics behave and they apply a lot smoother now than the photo above.

Polishes/Tools Used:-
- Ciaté // White Heat (white)
- Nails Inc // Girls Got Coals (dark green)
- Sinful Colours // Amazonian (dark green shimmer)
- Zoya // Shawn (dark green), Ness (pale green), Cece (matte green glitter)
- Daisy DND // 469 Vast Galaxy (holo glitter topper)
- MoYou London // Bora Bora (light teal), Mint Condition (light mint), Olive Tree (pale olive)
- Born Pretty // 12 (primary green)
- Twinkled T // Tickled (pink), Glow Up (white), Vibin' (black)
- MoYou London Stamping Plates // Collab 03, Paradise 05, Tropical 36