Ombré Nails

I actually like my manicure to be easily done and my nails to look polished and flawless. But every once in a while, I'm in the mood for a change and I guess you can never resist a good trend manicure, right?

The trend I'm talking about this time is called Ombré Nails. This means that you start with a light color all over your nail and then you gradiently sponge darker colors on top. The important factor is to stay within the same color family. I searched the web before to learn about different methods to apply the polish and on my research I stumbled across this version by The Beauty Department (click here).
I have to admit I have found this to be rather difficult and so I just decided to create this mani off the top of my head. I used three purple colors, but you could also use blues or reds instead.

What you need:

• base coat
• 3 different nail polishes: a light color, a dark color and one color in between the two.
• an old makeup sponge (or a new one, doesn't matter)
• a quick-dry top coat
• cotton swaps and nail polish remover to clean up the mess you may have created (I did!)

Step-by-Step Tutorial:

#1: Apply one coat of your favorite base coat to your nails.

#2: Apply two thin coats of the lightest color on to your nails.

#3: Take the sponge and apply the mid color on to one edge; then sponge the color on to two thirds of your nail.

#4: Apply the dark color on to another clean edge of your sponge and sponge that on the first third of your nails.

#5: Apply some more dark color on to your sponge, but only apply it to the very ends of your nail.

#6: Check your nail and make sure it's a proper color gradient.

#7: Apply one coat of your top coat to smooth out the surface, add shine and prevent chipping.

#8: Dip a cotton swap into nail polish remover to remove the mess around your nails.


If you created this, please send me a picture! I hope you liked this!

Lots of love,
Nathalie xx

Shopping List Ideas #1 / Feb. 16, 2012

There are a few goodies that I'm really wanting right now, so I thought I'd share a few of them! You should know that I actually have a Word document on my computer where I write down all the things I'm interested in. I constantly update the list (I kick some out again) and after purchasing a product, I'll cross it out.


Here are some extracts:


NYX 10 Color Eyeshadow Palette Caviar & Bubbles

The picture is from here

This is one of the most beautiful everyday eyeshadow palettes EVER. 10 colors that work together in any combination plus, the quality of NYX eyeshadows is (almost) unbeatable. They glide on so smoothly and the pigmentation is outstanding!
Price: $8.50 / £ 10 / €10, available online and in drugstores/perfumeries


NYX Cream Blush Natural

The picture is from here

Talking about NYX, their cream blushes got me totally hooked! Everyone's raving about this color calling the perfect shade for anytime, so I wanna get my hands on this.
Price: $6.75 / £5.50 / €8.95, available online and in drugstores/perfumeries


MAC Paint Pot Painterly

The picture is from here

I know that this is probably THE eyeshadow base for anyone that enjoys makeup, but I'm still kinda struggling with the price tag. This might sound super crazy, and though I plan to get this somewhere special...maybe during my Paris trip in June? Until then, I surely have the money!
Price: $17.50 / £13.50 / €21, available online and in perfumeries


Korres Lip Butter Quince

The picture is from here

I actually wanted to purchase this on feelunique.com, but they're completely out of stock, and so I left my email with them so they can notice me when it's back. I recently became addicted to lip butters and now that spring is coming, the tinted ones caught my attention.

Price: $12 / £5.40 / €7.50, available online (and in stores I guess?)


Random Stuff I want:
• a pair of light blue jeans
• a new pair of black ballet flats (mine are completely worn out!)
• Hair oil (as it makes your hair so smooth and shiny)


What's on your list?


Love,
Nathalie x