Mummy's Curse?


As I've said before on here, I have always been fascinated to the point of obsession with ancient cultures and civilizations, with Egypt being my number one subject of interest. Now, most of us know the story of the boy king, King Tutankhamun (known as Tutankhaten as a prince, to change to Tutankhamun after he became Pharoah), who took the throne at the tender age of nine, only to pass it on after his death at the young age of 19. Did you know that researchers have found proof that Tutankhamun was the product of incest? Did you know that a few years into his reign, he overturned his father, Akhenaten's, rule that Aten (sun disk) be worshipped, in favor of returning the worship to the god Amun? It's all interesting stuff that I could read for hours and hours. Anyway, on to the nails. Today's nail art is my interpretation of the golden mask found on the mummy of Tutankhamun. The mask depicts him wearing the nemes, the striped head cloth that pharaohs wore in Ancient Egypt. On my thumb, is the cartouche of Tutankhamun with both the hieroglyphics for his name before and after being Pharaoh. Ok, enough with the history lesson, PICTURES!!




I used China Glaze 2030 from Khrome Collection as a base, with gold leaf pressed onto it before it was dry. To paint the shadows, I mixed American Apparel Hassid with Seche Vite top coat, and for the highlights, I used Essie Bone Chilling White mixed with Seche Vite top coat. For the eyes, I used Sally Hansen Professional Lavender Cloud, with American Apparel Hassid to line, as well as for the eyebrows and nostrils. For the nemes cloth stripes, I used ULTA Moody Blues. Topped everything off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Walk like an egyptian.

22 comments

  1. I just went to the King Tut exhibit in NYC =] interesting stuff indeed. Love the nails!

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  2. This is totally weird in that the third installment of The Mummy movies played on t.v last night and I have an artefact assignment on Ancient Egypt due tomorrow. WAAAAAHH!!

    Very cool design! x

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  3. I saw the collection at the Seattle Flag Pavilion in 1978 (yes, I'm nearly as old as the boy king, lol). It was fecking incredible. They had a life size mask of lapis and gold that was incredible and I remember some sort of belt buckle(?) that was all gold and had such detail that you could see tiny studs decorating a chariot the size of my pinky nail. Just amazing.

    If this works, here is a pic of the mask...
    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/art/news/local/seattlecenter/milestones/kingtut.jpg

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  4. Oh wow, you have REALLY outdone yourself with this one! That is absolutely breathtaking! I know what you mean about ancient cultures, I could read about them for hours on end. Actually, sometimes I do! I'll get started reading and end up doing what I call a research binge- I'll seek out and read absolutely anything I can find on it!

    A research binge can last a day or two or a month... it depends on how much information I can find and how interesting I find it. I just love to learn, you know?

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  5. I never leave comments on anything, but your blog is basically amazing incarnate, sooo here's some love. This manicure is uber clever! and maybe it's weird to leave a book recommendation in a comment, but i'm reading one called "Beneath the Sands of Egypt: Adventures of an Unconventional Archeologist." (i hope this doesn't sound product placement-ish) but you might like it if you've ever fantasied about being an Egyptologist. Anyways, thanks for this awesome 365!

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  6. Love the nail design and the use of gold leafing! Might this have been inspired by the Sept. issue of NatGeoMag? I think it's interesting that they finally did DNA testing on Tut's family of mummies. It adds to all the intrigue behind his life and death. Great manicure and inspiration!

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  7. Oh wow.
    I've seen your previous manicures but WOW, this ones just simply AWESOME!!
    He is, indeed, my favourite dead mummified prince ;D

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  8. Funny that I went to the King Tut exhibit the exact day you posted this LOL! AWESOME design!!

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  9. Wow, these are amazing! Nice work....

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  10. Coulda won a Grammy.
    Buried in his jammies.

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  11. Gorgeous, gorgeous! And I've also been long fascinated with things Egyptian.

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  12. I love Ancient Egyptian history as well! These nails are fab!

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  13. Holy bleep these are awesome. I love the gold foil. That is so clever!

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  14. I LOVE Egyptian stuff! And I woke up this morning going "I wanna watch The Mummy and the Mummy Returns" which are two of my favorite movies of all time! Not to mention the fact that I've been planning an Egyptian themed manicure for myself in the near future. But this is beyond amazing. I'm seriously so impressed with your skills and talent.

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  15. Omg I LOVE Ancient Egypt! King Tut's death mask is probably my favorite piece of art work! I absolutely love that you did this nail art, it's amazing!

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  16. this is seriously...bitchen. you rock!

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  17. These nails look amazing! You have outdone yourself. I recently saw the Cleopatra exhibit at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and these nails made me think of that.

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  18. That is so freaking cool! I love ancient Egypt as well, and this absolutely blows my mind. You have really outdone yourself (not an easy task, mind you). :)

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  19. I love your nail art!
    it's realy beautiful

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  20. Oh my goodness, I am absolutely obsessed with Egypt and it's beautiful pyramids, King Tut, you nameeee itttt! I LOVEEEEEE This!!! You are like the best nail guru that ever existed in this universeeeeeee you are brilliant!!!! =]

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Go on, comment... you know you want to. ;-P