i have been impatiently awaiting the arrival of some nail art stamps purchased online for a good week now. dozens of designs will soon be at my fingertips. unfortunately, they didn’t arrive in time for this week’s post, but in my excitement for all the pattern-y fun to come, i was determined to bring you something just as artistic this week.

just like the gradient design using sponges we did a fortnight ago (speaking of, apologies for last week’s blip, DIY and decorating do not a good manicure make, and these hands were not fit to be seen in public) – stamps, sponges and the like really do create the best nail art for the dexterously challenged. if you don’t have the steady hand to draw on stripes and spots, you don’t have to miss out, as dabbing on a pretty pattern is just so dang easy.

inspiration from my travels

during one of my daily scours of the net for inspiration for new designs and styles, i came across this idea for a stone effect manicure on my old favourite, the beauty department. ‘ooh!’ i thought, ‘so whimsical, so pretty! my two favourite things!’ this look reminds me of the unique stone rings i fell in love with in the little jewellery stores of santorini.

start with a base coat of turquoise or mint (i had mavala blue mint 181 to hand) – paint on two coats and allow to dry completely. next, you need some cling film (glad wrap). scrunch up a piece and paint on your next colour – gold, silver or bronze. i adore the metallic shade from topshop i used, it changes colour from different angles.stamp the cling film lightly on some paper to get rid of the excess, and dab on your nail bed lightly. you can be pretty haphazard, it will look great no matter what! you’ll need to re-apply the polish onto the cling film about two or three times to get all ten nails done.  just ensure there is only a light layer of the polish on the cling film, or it will be thick and gloopy and won’t create the effect you’re after.

allow to dry, finish with a top coat and clean up the edges. the manicure is so easy, but looks so beautiful and like it took a lot of hard work. shhh, we won’t tell if you won’t! you could try this look with purple, amber, even black – send us your pictures of your results on twitter or facebook!

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