Geometric Mermaid Nail Art Tutorial

I decided to give mermaid nail art a bit of a gothic twist and created this geometric look. Keep reading to find out how I created this look...

What will you need?

To create this look you will need a purple and black polish, a teal glitter polish, some striping tape, a few nail art gems and a dotting tool.

The polishes I used were Colour Club 'Midnight Mulberry', Avon Stardust in 'Teal Glitter' and Essie 'Liquorice'.

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in two coats of purple polish.

Step 2: Taking some striping tape and add two stripes in a triangle design.

Step 3: Take the teal glitter onto a dotting tool and fill in the large triangle. Then take the black polish onto a dotting tool and fill in the gap between the two pieces of striping tape.

Step 4: Add a layer of top coat to each nail and press a gem at the tip of the black polish.

And there you have your geometric mermaid nail art.

Happy Nail Art-ing!

Sam x

Strawberry Nail Art Tutorial

Strawberry nail art designs are perfect for the summer months, so now the sun is starting to break through the clouds, I thought I would embrace this summer strawberry nail art.

What will you need?

You will need a white, red, pink, dark & light green polish, a dotting tool, a makeup sponge and a top coat.

The polishes I used were Essie 'Blanc' (white) Illamasqua 'Throb' (red), Avon Gel Finish polish in Parfait Pink (pink), Barry M 'Key Lime' (light green) and L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche L'Huile in 'Vert Absynthe' (dark green).

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in the red polish. You don't need to take this the whole way to the cutie, so just go about 3/4 of the way up the nail.

Step 2: Next, taking the lighter pink shade onto a makeup sponge, press randomly over the nail to create some texture.

Step 3: To begin the strawberry leaves I took the white polish to create the outline, this helps the green appear more vibrant instead of applying over the red polish. I then went over the white with the light green polish. Once dry I took the darker green onto a sponge to create some texture again.

Step 4: Finally take the white polish onto a dotting tool to create the strawberry seeds. Once everything is dry, add a layer of top coat to each nail.

... and there you have your strawberry nail art

Have you ever created a fruity nail art?

Happy nail art-ing! 

Sam x

Watercolour Nail Art Tutorial

I was having a scroll through pinterest and came across many watercolour nail art looks which inspired me to created my very own with a gem/3D twist. 

What will you need?

To create this look all you will need is a white polish, I used Essie 'Blanc'; some sheer nail varnishes, I used the OPI 'Sheer Tints', however you could also mix acetone with a regular polish; some nail art gems, mine were from the Avon 'Nail Gem Assortment Wheel' and finally a dotting tool to help you pick up the gems with ease.

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Take a white polish and paint this onto the base of each nail. Leave this to dry completely before moving on.

Step 2: Next taking your sheer polishes, add randomly over the nail to create a watercolour pattern.

Step 3: Finally seal everything into place with a top coat and press the nail gems onto each nail in a design of your choice. You may want to go back in with a top coat after to make sure the gems don't budge.

And there you have your watercolour nail art?

What nail art looks will you be rocking this summer?

Happy Nail Art-ing! 

Sam x

Marble & Shattered Glass Nail Art Tutorial

Both marble and shattered glass nail art techniques are all over Instagram at the moment, so I thought I would combine the two to create the look below. Keep reading to find out how...

What will you need?

To create this look you will need light pink, dark pink and black polishes, a glitter/shattered glass top coat, some cling film, a makeup setting spray, a large-ish bowl full of water and some cotton buds.

The polishes I used were Essie 'Lovie Dovie' (light pink), 'Big Spender' (dark pink) & 'Liquorice' (black), along with Avon 'Magic Effects Diamond Shatter'. I also used the NYX 'Matte Finish Setting Spray' for the marble technique.

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in two coats of a Barbie pink polish.

Step 2: Next take some cling film, wrap it into a ball, lightly paint a darker pink shade onto one side and press this over the nail.

Step 3: Now for the water marble technique. Add two drops of black polish into a bowl of water and spray over the top with a spray (such as a makeup setting spray) to disperse the polish and create a marble effect (shown in the image below). Drop your nail over the polish and down into the water and then take a cotton bud to clean up the excess around your finger and in the water.

Step 4: Take a glitter/shattered glass top coat and paint over each nail. Finish off each nail with a layer of top coat to seal everything in.

And there you have your marble nail art topped with a shattered glass effect!

Have you ever created a marble nail art using water?

Happy Nail Arting!

Sam x

Easter Chick & Spring Flower Nail Art Tutorial

Happy Easter everyone! To celebrate the Easter weekend I have created this Easter chick and spring flower nail art.

What will you need?

To create this look you will need polishes in white, pastel green, pastel blue, pastel pink, yellow, orange, green, purple, pink and black. You will also need a dotting tool to help create the smaller designs.

The polishes I used were L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche L'Huile in Blanc De Lune (white), Dimanche Apres-Moi (pastel pink), Violet Vendome (purple) and Nymph (pink); Avon Sprightly Mint (pastel green), Rain Washed (pastel blue), Lemon Sugar (yellow), Orange Crush (orange), Emerald City (green) and Matte Black (black).

Step-By-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Begin by taking the pastel shades and painting each nail a different shade. Keep the ring finger nail yellow for the chick.

Step 2: Next taking various shades onto a dotting tool, create the flower petals and add a dot to the centre of each flower.

Step 3: Using the orange polish create two feet and a beak towards the bottom half of the nail. Then taking the black and white polishes create two eyes.

Step 4: Once everything is dry, add a topcoat to each nail to seal everything into place.

And there you have your easter chick and spring flower nail art!

What are you up to for easter? Do you have any easter nail art plans?

Sam x

Art Deco Ribbon Nail Art Tutorial

Ribbon nail art designs are one of my favourites to create as they look super detailed but are so easy to achieve!

All you need to create a ribbon nail art look is some striping tape, a selection of your favourite polishes and a dotting tool.

The polishes I used in this look were Avon 'Tender' (nude base), Illamasqua 'Boosh' (black), Essie 'Bahama Mama' (maroon) and Essie 'Leggy Legend' (gold).

Step By Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in the nude polish and leave to dry completely.

Step 2: Take some striping tape and place diagonally across the nails to create the ribbon design.

Step 3: Take the maroon, black and gold polishes in turn and fill in the gaps between the tape.

Step 4: Peel off the tape to reveal your design and paint a layer of top coat onto each nail to seal everything into place.

And there you have your ribbon nail art!

What are your favourite nail art designs to create?

Happy Nail Art-ing!

Sam x

Triangle Glitter Nail Art Tutorial

If you have a party or special event coming up, this glitter nail art design will be sure to sparkle on the dance floor! Keep reading to find out how I created this look...

What Will You Need?

To create this look you will need a dark lilac polish and 3 different shades of glitter nail varnish. You will also need some striping tape and a dotting tool.

The polishes I used in this look was Ciate 'Pillow Fight' (purple base) and Avon Magic Effects in 'Rose Quartz' (pink glitter), 'Turquoise' (blue glitter) and 'Pearl' (golden glitter).

Step By Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting two coats of the deep lilac base onto each nail and leave to dry completely.

Step 2: Take the striping tape and add this both diagonally and horizontally to create the outline for the triangle design.

Step 3: Take each glitter polish in turn and full in the gaps between the tape.

Step 4: Peel all the tape off to reveal your design.

And there you have your glitter triangle manicure!

What are you favourite glitter polishes?

Happy Nail Art-ing!

Sam x

Marble Nail Art Tutorial

It has been a little while since I last posted; the manic month of February meant my nails have been lacking nail art and insamazement.co.uk has been a bit quiet. But I am back and today's nail art tutorial is something a bit trendy. Marble interiors are all over Instagram, so I thought I would jump on the craze and marble up my mani. This look was inspired by the super talented Alice at One Nail To Rule Them All.

What Will You Need?

All you will need to create this look in a pale pink, white and black polish, a sponge, striping tape and some nail art gems.

The polishes I used were Essie 'Fiji' (pale pink), Illamasqua 'Boosh' (black) and Illamasqua 'Scorch' (white). The gems/studs are from the Avon nail art gem assortment wheel.

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in a few coats of the pale pink shade and leave to dry completely. To speed up drying time get your hands on a quick dry top coat, I used Seche Vite.

Step 2: Taking a piece of striping tape, place this just below the centre of each nail.

Step 3: Paint the space below the striping tape in a coat of black polish. Once this is almost dry, take the white polish onto a sponge and carefully press this over the tip to create the marble effect.

Step 4: Remove the tape, paint a layer of top coat onto each nail and carefully place a gem/stud in the centre.

And there you have your marble mani!

What other trends have you spotted? Let me know in the comments below and I will try and create a nail art design to match!

Happy Nail Art-ing!

Sam x

Valentines Nail Art Tutorial

Valentines day is just around the corner, so I thought I would spread a little love with a valentines themed nail art look.

What will you need?

To create a similar look yourself, you will need red, white, pink & pink glitter polishes, a dotting tool and some top coat.

The shades I used were Illamasqua Throb (red), OPI's new Hello Kitty Super Cute in Pink (pink), Avon Matte white polish and Essie Fashion Flares (pink glitter). 

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in the pink polish.

Step 2: Next, first taking white onto a dotting tool, create a heart on the ring finger nail. After this has dried, take the red polish onto a dotting tool and fill in the centre of the heart, leaving a thin edge of white.

Step 3: Onto a dotting tool take the white and red polishes in turn and create dot-to-dot lines horizontally along the little and index finger nails. Place the pink glitter polish onto the middle finger nail.

Step 4: Once everything is dry, add a layer of topcoat to each nail to seal everything into place.

And there you have your manicure all ready for Valentines day!

Do you have any plans for Valentines day?

Happy Nail Art-ing!

Sam x

Black & Gold Geometric Nail Art Tutorial

I create a lot of geometric nail art looks, so I thought I would give this one a metallic twist.

What will you need?

All you will need to create this look yourself is polishes in black, nude and gold; a dotting tool and some striping tape.

The polishes I used were Illamasqua Monogamous (nude), Avon Matte Black (black) and Essie Leggy Legend (deep gold). 

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in a base of the nude polish, aside from the ring finger nail which should be black.

Step 2: Take three pieces of striping tape and create a triangle on the ring finger nail. Fill in the gap using the golden metallic polish.

Step 3: On all other nails place some striping tape horizontally across the nail and fill in the gaps using a mixture of the black and gold polishes.

Step 4: Finally, again using striping tape, create a triangle from the cuticle of the index finger nail down to the tip and fill in with the gold polish. Finish off with a layer of top coat on each nail.

And there you have a black & gold geometric nail art!

Do you have any metallic polishes? I would love to hear your favourites!

Happy Nail Art-ing!

Sam x

Blue & Green Tile Nail Art Tutorial

I always choose girly pink and purple shades, so today I thought I would mix things up and use some blue and green hues to create this tile nail art look. This design was inspired by the very talented Wondrously Polished. 

What will you need?

To create this look you will need 4 blue & green polishes, some striping tape, a dotting tool and some top coat.

The polishes I used were Illamasqua Cameo and a limited edition green polish, Essie Bell-Bottom Blues and Avon Magic Effects in Turquoise. 

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in a base of white polish. I used a matte polish to speed up the drying time.

Step 2: Take around 4 pieces of striping tape and place them horizontally on each nail.

Step 3: Taking each of the coloured polishes in turn, create small squares, leaving a thin white gap between each.

Step 4: Finally peel off the striping tape to reveal your design and paint a layer of top coat onto each nail.

And there you have your tile nail art design!

What are your favourite nail varnish shades?

Happy Nail Art-ing!

Sam x

Pink & Purple Striped Nail Art

With the Christmas Nail Arts parked to one side for another year, I thought I would see in the new year with a bright design using some of my favourite shades.

What will you need?

All you will need to create this look is a white polish, 4-5 pink & purple shades, some striping tape and a dotting tool.

The nail varnish shades I used were Avon Magic Effects Polish in Matte White, Avon Gel Finish Polish in Lavender Sky, Illamasqua Polishes in Stance, Seance and Fire Rose.

Step By Step Tutorial

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in a white polish and leave to dry completely. I used a matte white polish to speed up the drying time.

Step 2: Take some striping tape and place several pieces evenly across each nail.

Step 3: Taking each polish in turn onto a dotting tool, carefully add the polishes in the gaps between the tape.

Step 4: Remove all the striping tape to reveal your design and paint a top coat onto each nail to seal everything into place.

And there you have your girly striped nail art look.

Happy New Year!

Sam x

Christmas Mosaic Nail Art Tutorial

If you follow my blog or Instagram, you may know that I love to create a mosaic nail art. So for the festive season I thought I would give is a Christmas twist.

What will you need?

You will need a white, red, green glitter and gold glitter polish, a dotting tool and some striping tape.

I used Avon Magic Effects Matte polish in White, Magic Effects Mineral Crush in Pearl & Turquoise and Illamasqua nail varnish in Throb.

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by taking a matte white polish and add to the base of each nail.

Step 2: Take some striping tape and place 3 pieces randomly over the nail.

Step 3: Taking the gold, green and red polishes in turn, add to the spaces between the nail art and finally peel of the striping tape to reveal the mosaic design.

Have you created any Christmas nail art this year?

Happy Nail Art-ing!

Sam x

Candy Cane & Santa Nail Art Tutorial

You can’t beat a character nail art at Christmas. I combined the classic Santa accent nail with a candy cane stripe to create this nail art design.

What will you need?

All you will need to create this look is a red, green, white, black and nude nail varnish, a dotting tool and some striping tape.

The nail varnish shades I used were Illamasqua Throb & Viridian and Avon Magic Effects Matte polish in White and Black. 

Step-By-Step Tutorial:

Step 1: Begin by painting all nails in a base coat of matte white polish, apart from the ring finger, which you should add a nude base to.

Step 2: Next, once everything is dry, take a dotting tool and create the Santa character on the ring finger.

Step 3: Taking the striping tape, place diagonally across the nail and take the green and red polishes in turn to fill in the gaps.

Step 4: Peel of the striping tape and add a topcoat if you wish.

And there you have your fun Santa and Candy Cane nail art.

What’s your favourite Christmas character?

Happy Nail Art-ing!

Sam x