Negative Space + #manicuremonday

Even though I've picked up a second job, and could now afford to go get my nails done, I love doing my own nails!  Not only can you save tons of money (a regular mani on Long Island can be around $20, and if you have acrylic, it could be around $50 if you have to get a fill in too!), plus I love the sense of accomplishment when people are surprised to find out I did my nails myself!

You can use a lot of things that you have laying around your house to create an awesome mani.  My favorite go-to?  Scotch tape!  You can get so creative with your nail art using plain old tape.

Using: Essie 'Tuck It in My Tux' + 'Devil's Advocate'

1.  Nail prep:  Remove all old nail polish, push back and cut cuticles if needed, cut and shape nails (I like to rinse off my hands to get any left over polish remover off and dust from filing my nails my nails to ensure a smoother, nicer looking mani).  Apply a base coat (just 1; too many layers and your nails will chip quicker!).

2.  After everything is completely dry (not even tacky to the touch), cut 20 strips of tape for the stripes (I had to use packing tape because for some mysterious reason we had absolutely no more scotch tape in the house, lol; but I'd suggest regular scotch tape); better to pre-cut beforehand than as you go because you'll wind up ruining your manicure (nothing ruins a mani like having to start all over again).

3. Likewise, it's easier to put all the tape for the first stripe on at the same time.  Place one strip of tape on each nail on a diagonal.  Always use the lightest shade of the two, first.  Paint two coats of polish and let dry completely.  Peel off the tape, and make sure first color is completely dry before moving on to the second color (otherwise when you pull the tape up, the first color will be pulled up with it).

4.  Now, place tape in the opposite direction, also on a diagonal, of the first stripe.  Using the second, darker shade, paint two coats and let dry.

5. You can stop here, after you put on the top coat.  Oooor, you can continue on to add a little bit of edginess and sparkle!

6. Add a drop of nail glue or clear polish towards your cuticle (in the center), and place one stud (so that one of the corners points up, like a diamond), and cover with a clear coat (I like to cover all the sides too, for extra hold).  Repeat for each nail, and voila!

You can check out my other manicure DIYs here:

What A Stud

Good As Gold

Star Studded

Tape It

Stellar Manicure

Happy Holidays

Sparkle and Shine

Pearls, on pearls, on gold

Shamrocks and Studs
Sprinkles

Check out my Pinterest board (follow me at @classicallycait!) here for more inspiration:

Manicure: Sprinkles

This post is a day late for Manicure Monday, buuuuuut, better late than never (plus I didn't want to wait a whole week to post this!)!  This nail art is inspired by one of my latest pins: a sprinkles manicure!

Photo: Pinterest

1.  I painted a single coat of my base coat, using Sally Hansen's Triple Strong.

2.  Two coats of Essie's Topless and Barefoot (allow for some dry time between coats, this will give you a more even finish).

3.  Time for the sprinkles!  I used a nail art specific nail polish brush with a nice thin brush (I got it at Dollar Tree!); make sure you wipe off all the polish from the brush (tissue's fine) before dipping into any other colors.  

These are the colors I used (I tried to stay as close as I could to the colors used in the pin):

• White: Sally Hansen Hard Nails Extreme "White On"
• Orange: Sally Hansen Insta-Dry "Man-go Team!"
• Blue: Probelle "Into the Blue"
• Pink: Julie "Damsel"
• Green: Sinful Colors "Garden Party"

4.  Depending on your nail length, the amount of "sprinkles" you'll paint on will vary.  My nails are pretty short right now so I only did about 2-3 of each color on each nail.  The great thing about this manicure is that you don't have to be perfect!  (Just make sure there isn't too much of the nail polish on the brush, otherwise it'll blob up or run)

• quick tip: Do all your nails the same color sprinkle at the same time, instead of doing each nail all the colors at once.  Don't be a hero and just make your life easier, lol.

5.  Once all the "sprinkles" have dried, apply your top coat, and voila!  All done!

Doesn't look exactly like the pin, but I'm proud to say it still looks pretty darn good!  :)

I've got an entire Pinterest board dedicated to manicures/nail art I'm dying to try (or wishing I could even attempt...seriously, some of these people have to be wizards or something!)!  Check out my board here:

Or check out my own manicure DIYs:

What A Stud

Good As Gold

Star Studded

Tape It

Stellar Manicure

Happy Holidays

Sparkle and Shine

Pearls, on pearls, on gold

Shamrocks and Studs

Anyone else attempt manis they've pinned on Pinterest?  :)

Trends I Love: Blush

After seeing (and then obsessing over and buying) this Bebe moto jacket from Marshalls (check out my original post here), I have been seriously digging blush-colored everything!  It's spring's perfect neutral and looks great paired with everything!

Similar jacket (here)

I put together some blush-colored picks I've found (plus my DIY mani from earlier in the week!):

Ciaté Mini Paint Pot nail polish (mix and match 3 for $18!  They have a bunch of colors and "effects"--glitter, studs, etc.)

River Island Crepe Drape Trench

I love this trench because you could wear it casually with a cool graphic tee and some jeans, or dressed up for a night out with friends!

ASOS Sleeved Draped-back Midi dress (on sale now for only $28!)

The shape is super flattering (and there's even a little open back action!) and is perfect for any spring event!

J. Crew Laser-Cut Circle Midi skirt

J. Crew does it again.  This skirt is super cool, and looks great just how J. Crew styled it!

H&M Jersey Blazer

Jersey blazers are like dressy sweatshirts.  They're super comfortable but you still look pulled together, which makes it the perfect piece for literally any outfit.

Sole Society "Libry" jeweled flats

Pointy flats and jewels?  Check and check. 

Rebecca Minkoff "Leo" Envelope Clutch

Envelope clutches are like the basic accessory that every girl should have because it's simple and chic and goes with everything.

Kate Spade Cat Eye sunglasses.  Love the color and especially the style!  Very Pink Ladies!  ;)

What do you guys think of blush for spring?

Manicure Monday: Shamrocks & Studs

Saint Paddy's Day is tomorrow, and I completely forgot until someone reminded me today at work!

Here's a simple DIY manicure that's perfect for tomorrow's shamrock filled day.


What you'll need:

• green nail polish 
• white nail polish
• a thin nail brush
• gold studs
• nail glue
• base coat
• top coat
• tweezers

1.  Starting with clean (and filed/clipped/shaped) finger nails, apply your base coat.  I always do just one, even coat, to avoid chipping.

2.  Paint only your ring fingers white.

3.  Paint the rest of your nails green.

4.  Time for the shamrocks!  All it is really, is a few strokes placed together.  Easy-peasy!

5.  On the green nails, apply a dot of nail glue towards the base of your nail (right above your cuticles), and then, using tweezers, apply the nail stud.  You can use the end of your tweezer to gently press the stud into place to make sure it's firmly secured.

6.  Finish with a top coat and let dry!

Check out my other DIY manis here!

What A Stud!  -  Good As Gold  -  Star Studded  -  Tape It  -  Stellar Manicure  -  Happy Holidays  -  Sparkle and Shine  -  Pearls, on pearls, on gold

Pearls, on pearls, on gold

Nothing beats a fresh manicure to start off your week!

Classy girls wear pearls...sometimes even on their fingertips!  Today I combined two of my favorite things into one polished (pun intended!) mani: pearls and half moon nail art.  I used a soft gold polish with pearl nail studs on top; it's classic but fun at the same time.


Here's what you'll need:

• base coat
• top coat
• nail color
• nail studs--pearls
• nail glue
• tweezers

1.  You want to start with a clean slate.  Cut, file, and shape your nails, and then wash your hands to get any dust off.  (And I always double check for any nail breakage or cracking--you don't want your nails breaking after you just spent all that time making them look pretty--fix any of that before you start painting your nails.)

2.  Base coat.  I always use Sally Hansen's 'Miracle nail thickener'.  It gives your nails a nice layer of protection and I really believe it's helped strengthen my nails (they certainly don't break as easy as they used to and they don't feel brittle).  Wait a good five to ten minutes for the coat to dry.  I'm extremely cautious when I do any kind of nail art (you don't want to get impatient and then ruin your manicure).

3.  Stickers.  I use binder paper reinforcements (I got a pack of 200 from Staples for about $3).  One reinforcement at the bottom of each nail (at the cuticle end), and gently press to make sure there aren't any gaps (you want to avoid any nail color leaking under the sticker).  The way I place the stickers is with the top inside of the sticker just above the cuticle line.

4.  Color.  Two coats of whichever color you choose (I'm using Nicole by OPI 'On A Gilt Trip').  Let the first coat dry completely before applying the second coat.  Once both coats are completely dry, carefully remove the stickers.

5.  Pearls.  Right on the top of the half moon, place a dab of nail glue.  Then, using either a wax pencil or a pair of tweezers pick up the pearl (for this manicure I prefer the tweezers because the pearls are a bit slippery and the tweezers have a better grasp and make placement easier) and place directly on top of glue dot.  I waited a few seconds and then using the tweezers, gently press down on the pearl to make sure it stays firmly in place.

6.  Using the nail glue, I cover the pearl and it's sides for extra hold (did I mention I'm super cautious about my nail art? lol).  Immediately after, I apply my top coat.  This allows me to smooth the glue out so that it dries nice and neat (without any lumps or bumps).

7.  Let dry, and voila!  Subtle, yet classy half-moon manicure!  :)

Here are some of my past Manicure Monday manis:

What A Stud!!  //  Good As Gold  //  Star Studded  //  Tape It  //  Stellar Manicure  //  

Happy Holidays  //  Sparkle & Shine