Stamped Vertical Gradient, Nails of the Day

I love gradients. For some reason I find doing them vertically more challenging than horizontally, but I love the effect! I usually use cremes, and I've tried holos once or twice, but I've never used all shimmers, and I'm quite pleased with the result.
Because it has a slightly metallic finish, at a glace it almost looks like I could be wearing foils (which I have yet to try even though I picked up a Ciate kit from Winners a couple months back).

vertical stamped gradient, notd

Unfortunately there's some tipwear since this is day 3 with this mani (my day of photos were a bit messy, the clean up on this was a real pain). In lower lighting this sometimes looks like it's a multichrome polish, shifting with the curve of the nail - love it!

I used a base of CoverGirl 'Silver Lining'. I like using it as a base for a lot of nail art, such as my Monet mani.  It's not too grey or too metallic, it's closer to a shimmery off-white if you ask me, which I prefer to a stark white.
For the gradient I used Misa 'Let's Go Green', China Glaze 'Frostbite' and Nyx 'Purple'.
I then stamped using VividLacquer plate 019 with Konad 'Gold Black'. In the bottle this appears quite shimmery, but it almost never translates onto the nail, so it's pretty much my go-to black stamping polish.

Anyone else find vertical gradients harder than horizontal, or is that just me?

-L

The Ice & Fire Collection is now available!

CANVAS lacquer has released our second offering, a collection inspired by Game of Thrones.

Please visit us at:

Etsy.com/shop/canvaslacquer

Thanks for your support!

Monet on my nails, Nails of the Day

Hey hey!

After my sister mentioned that one of my galaxy manis reminded her of Van Gogh (quite the compliment!), I decided to pay homage to another artist.

Monet's Waterlilies series has always been a favorite of mine - I hope I haven't done it too much injustice!

My thumb turned out the best. I think it's due to composition. Since my thumb is the largest 'canvas' (see what I did there?), the scale of which I made the pads and lilies really works. I kept the same size on my other nails, but I should have made them a wee bit smaller. Live and learn!

I need to work on my freehand art, but part of the problem is definitely not having a lot of practice with nail art brushes. Lots of bloggers say they cut their brushes down to size. I've done so, but not sure I did it right.

Monet on my nails

Overall, I'm still pleased with this. Not having a lot of practice, I think I took on a pretty lofty challenge and did OK! It helps that impressionism doesn't require a great deal of precision.

I finished this mani with a coat of Cult Nails Wax That, since I figured an old painting shouldn't look too glossy.

Beyond the Wall - a teaser!

From our upcoming Ice & Fire Collection

BEYOND THE WALL – Like the eyes of the White Walkers, this one GLOWS IN THE DARK!  

An icy blue base with fine silver, blue and holographic glitters and a pearly shimmer.   

To light your way through the long night.

2 coats of Beyond the Wall by CANVAS lacquer over light blue

I don't have a tripod so my Glow-in-the-Dark photography could use some work, but I just had to show off the incredible glow power this lacquer has!

Beyond the Wall by CANVAS lacquer, from the Ice & Fire Collection

How awesome is that?!? 

This will be available on our Etsy store very soon!

Ice & Fire Sneak Peek!!!

NERDGASM!!!

Here's a quick little look at the Ice & Fire Collection which will be available soon on our Etsy shop.

Brienne The Blue by CANVAS lacquer

BRIENNE THE BLUE – An antique silvery blue base, fine blue and silver glitters with holographic sparks. Be your own Knight in shining armor! 

Beyond The Wall by CANVAS lacquer

BEYOND THE WALL – Like the eyes of the White Walkers, this one GLOWS IN THE DARK!  An icy blue base with fine silver, blue and holographic glitters and a pearly shimmer.   

To light your way through the long night.

The Red Wedding by CANVAS lacquer

 THE RED WEDDING – Medium copper hexes and fine red glitter in a deep blood-red jelly. 

The Lannisters send their regards. 

High Garden by CANVAS lacquer

HIGHGARDEN – A beautiful glitter topper with mint, pink and black hexes, lavender dots and fine gold in a clear base.  

Why be a queen when you can be The Queen?

Mother of Dragons by CANVAS lacquer

MOTHER OF DRAGONS – Fine green holographic glitter, wine squares, a mix of iridescent glitters and a good sprinkling of gold shimmer in a deep green jelly base.  

Perfect for a Khaleesi. 

Hand of the King by CANVAS lacquer

HAND OF THE KING – Regal rich aubergine holographic lacquer with violet undertones.  

A taste of power at your fingertips. 

Winterfell by CANVAS lacquer

WINTERFELL – A stone cold grey jelly full of iridescent “snowflakes” in various sizes and shapes. 

The wolves will come again. 

...and for fun...

This collection will be available soon on our Etsy store - please stay tuned!

-L

Our Etsy store is OPEN!

Our store is now live!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CANVASlacquer

It's a soft opening, so our first offering is available now, with our Ice & Fire Collection soon to follow.

The Limited Edition 2014 Duo is our nod to Pantone's Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid.

ORCHIDS 2014 – A lovely purple creme with warm pink undertones and soft silvery-blue shimmer that dries to a satin finish. 

Orchids 2014 by CANVAS lacquer, 2 coats

At two coats this lacquer leans warmer, with it's pink belly showing. This is shown without topcoat to preserve the subtle satin finish.

Orchids 2014 by CANVAS lacquer, 3 coats

At three coats the color deepens and leans a bit cooler. Again, shown without topcoat to preserve the satin finish. However, it still looks great with a glossy topcoat - it really brings the shimmer to life!

RADIANCE 2014 – An awesome glitter topper full of different shades, shapes and sizes of holographic glitters. 

Radiance 2014 over Orchids 2014

This is one coat of Radiance 2014 over Orchids 2014. It has great glitter density, but it is meant to be a topper, so I'm not sure how many coats you would need on its own for opacity. 
The middle finger shows with topcoat and the ring finger shows with a matte topcoat - check out the thumb pics for below!

Radiance 2014 over Orchids 2014 with topcoat

Radiance 2014 over Orchids 2014 with matte topcoat

How amazing is it with mattifier?!? 

Thanks for checking us out!

-L

Tropical Vacation, Nails of the Day

I'm going away for bit, so these seemed highly appropriate.

tropical sunset NOTD

As much as I'm looking forward to this vacation - I'm also really excited about coming back because we will be launching the CANVAS lacquer Etsy store! Please stay tuned!

-L