I want to apologize in advance for today's very picture-heavy post, but some of you may already be aware that today is officially celebrated as CHOCOLATE DAY. Seriously. There's a whole day for it. Supposedly on this day in 1550, the joy that is chocolate was introduced to Europe, and civilization (and a woman's monthly cycle) has never been the same. I'm serious. You can look it up if you want. I'll wait.
See? So, in honor of this most auspicious of anniversaries, I present to you a box of chocolates for your nails:
Stop trying to eat my fingers. I know they look delicious, but it's not real, people. It's just an artistic illusion. An artistic illusion that needed a gazillion different polishes and tools and techniques, but it is an illusion nonetheless.
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| L-R: Barry M Lychee and Mushroom, Cover Girl Toasted Almond, elf Smoky Brown and Chocolate, OPI Pinking of You |
While the first coat was still wet on my thumb, I attached a whole mess of different studs, rhinestones, and pearls to make an uneven, bumpy surface that mimicked a nut cluster, and then covered them with two additional coats of Mushroom. I didn't think to take a picture of it before I covered it but hopefully in this macro you can get the idea.
Over the second coat of my index finger, I sprinkled on some pale pink microbeads to mimick the pink coconut that dusts the top of some truffles.
I wanted my middle finger to look resemble one of those beautifully-swirled cream-filled chocolates, and without any desire to try to freehand a design, I dug through my stamping plates, landing on BM-418.
I was then able to stamp it in elf Chocolate to sort of get the look I was after.
On my last two fingers, I used the same technique with different colors to achieve the look of two more candies.
I created the spun sugar using Pinking of You and Chocolate. The more I practice this technique, the more I start loving the results. In this instance I really think they came out looking great.
My ring finger really looks like a white chocolate truffle and my pinky looks like a cherry or strawberry cream-filled.
Overall I couldn't be more pleased with how these came out! If I had one to do over again, I'd like to practice using the spun sugar technique to create 3D swirls on that middle finger instead of the stamp. I think it looks good as it is, but I would love to be able to create some dimension because it looks a bit flat compared to all the other 3D nails.
What do you think? Is this a look you'd wear? I also think it would be really cute for Valentine's Day!
I know Mondays after a 3-day weekend are always a bit rough, so I do hope my American readers will console themselves by indulging a bit, and that everyone else is able take some time today to celebrate with a bit of chocolate. I do believe I hear a Galaxy caramel bar calling my name!
Also, before you leave... have you entered the £20 Paypal Cash giveaway (2 days left!) and the Nail Polish Bloggers Connection Group Giveaway yet?