When it comes to nail art, I suck. Badly. Unfortunately, I have this strong desire to have artsy, flashy nails. But I’m cheap, so I don’t want to *pay* to have them look good. I want to do it myself and save my money for things like lipgloss, chocolate and travel.
The problem though is that when you’re a FAILURE at nail art, it makes life a wee bit difficult on the nail front. I don’t quite know what to do yet, but I feel like I’m making headway on what *NOT* to do and that has to count for something, right? Right? Anybody?
I present to you the travesty that was supposed to be Batman inspired nails.
First off, if you have a theme, use the right colors. Being extra cheap and using colors you already have when they don’t fit the color scheme at all is probably not going to work. For instance, if you’re supposed to use black, yellow and silver, replacing it with glittery grey, neon orange, and a confetti topcoat is more likely to make people (and yourself!) say WTF. With feeling.
(Side note: My boyfriend said my nails were like the Joker’s version of Batman. I’m sitting there wandering if this excuses the blasphemy on my nails. I’m thinking no, it does not. Sad Face.)
Secondly, make sure you have the right tools for this kind of thing. Cutting a used nail polish brush in half will not create a fine enough drawing tool. It may seem like a genius idea but it will. not. work. Just saying.
Thirdly, if you try something freaking difficult like writing “BATMAN” and drawing a Batman logo on your fingernails when you *know* you are terrible is a horrendous idea. My finger literally says “BATMA” and my bat signal is a little crippled in its wing area.
One thing I did end up liking about this though? I think using that confetti topcoat as a take on a French manicure is kind of cool looking. I dig it, but maybe with different colors.
In case you are curious, all of the nail polishes used were Deborah Lippmann. The shades are “Black Magic Woman”, “Hot Child in the City”, and “Happy Birthday“.
Spare a little time and money to have them done!
Duly noted! Lol
I go back and forth- first thinking I’ll just put it in the budget to get a my nails done a few times a year, then I decide I’ll do them myself and buy stuff to do it, then I see how horrible I am and I get rid of the stuff and go back to getting them done. It’s a vicious cycle!
I did discover that a good dollar store has good nail art stuff, like tiny brushes for doing polka dots, etc
I’m dying about the vicious cycle! I can already see myself getting sucked into it! Maybe I’ll look into some cheap-o nail tools!
Haha and it starts🤣
I may or may not have gotten nail art tools. Lol!
Heehee- now you can play and you can only get better:) Maybe I’ll pick some up when I get home. I wonder if I’d be better at not peeling my nails if they were painted
I am going to be a nail art goddess! Or at least I can pretend 🙂
Oh no, you’ll be the queen of nail art in no time!
#goals!
Hi there!
I read a few of your posts, and I like the way you write! 🙂
We’ve never had a conversation, so I hope I’m not over familiar. Anyhoo…
This mani doesn’t look terrible.
Keep in mind, the majority of nail artists (I’m using the term rather loosely) on Insta won’t show you their first attempt at whatever mani they did. Your mani looks quite alright in the circumstances. No worries about Batma. You could actually pretend the ‘n’ is there but invisible because of the natural curve of the nail. 😉
And about everything else – you could say you tried a different colour scheme because Batman and yellow, grey and black has been done to death… 😉
About nail art stuff – have you tried stamping? I can’t draw a straight line, but thanks to nail stamping tools I can do the most amazing nail “art”. I’ve been doing this for about 10 years, it’s super easy to do because it doesn’t require any actual skill, and it always looks much, much better than a random creamy orange on fake talons (or whatever the soup de jour at the local nail salon). You could also try full nail decals – again, no actual skill required, although you have to take a little care. You could try dotting tools or nail art brushes, but unless you’re truly creative and you WANT to do nail art, it’s not the best option. Yes, you could do polka dots, but let’s be honest, that’s one of the most basic and uninspired ideas for nail art, and people usually only do it because it’s the only nail art they can do without actual tools. And a woman who’s been through Barre hell deserves better than polka dot nails! 🙂
I prefer to think that we are now instant friends and I am so happy you’ve been enjoying some of my posts!
You are absolutely right that it’s probably not their first time creating their nail design except I didn’t consider that when attempting this. It drives me a little batty to hear them say “it’s so easy!” And I’m over here with “batma” on my nails 🤣
Oh, the color scheme! I still like my boyfriends take, saying that it looks like the Joker did them! The confetti does make it seem a wee bit Jokerish!
I have not thought about stamping but I just watched a YouTube video and I totally dig it! I might have to try to find some online…. maybe amazon will have a few dozen options!
And yes, barre hell! I’m not above polka dotting but I would like a *little* more character if I can pull it off!
Either way I enjoy posting my fails. They are certainly more entertaining for me to write and seemingly less prevalent on the web!
You definitely do a much better job than I would!
Haaaa, I don’t know about that!
Inspiring and I definitely want to do my nails at home just like you said I rather spend the manicure money on other things like food. Keep up the good work.
Thank you!
I figure my nail art may be on the sucky side now but hopefully one day I’ll be able to give myself some seriously good nails!
Did you freehand that bat?? Because if you did, it’s not so bad, LOL, I let out a for real chuckle when I read that part about your boyfriend. You should check out supernovabeautyblog, she does awesome nail art & she uses these like stencils & cut outs made for nails. I bet you’d be good with them!
I totally freehanded everything! Which is why the bat looks like it’s wings are broken buuuuuut, I was super proud of myself later on when someone looked at my nails and totally GOT that it was BATMAN. YAAAS. It was a #goals moment.
My boyfriend has excellent commentary, especially when it comes to my more creative pursuits! LOL!
I actually do follow SuperNovaBeautyBlog! How funny, of course you and I would know the good blogs! I’ve seen the stencils/stampers thingiemabobbers, and I am definitely interested!
It was actually pretty good!! I thought maybe you used a stencil but didn’t let it dry properly LOL. It only makes sense that both you & your boyfriend make the funniest comments. 😉 & ooh cool! You know exactly what I’m talking about then!
No stencils here though I’m thinking I need those stamping plates that makes nails look super fancy and posh.
He’s pretty great with having the perfect response to things!
I totally know what you’re talking about! Her nails always look brilliant!