Color Blocked


I've always been a fan of simple, clean design, whether it be on packaging, in ads, or in architecture. I love interesting combinations of colors, and their applications in everyday life. Today's nail art design is based off of a tile pattern that I saw in an elevator when I was watching TV the other day. In this manicure, I used some french tip guides I received for review from Nailene. Since I rarely (if ever) do a french manicure, in addition to reviewing them (in the next few days) in the regular application, I wanted to see how else I could utilize them. I decided to use an X-acto knife to cut each straight guide in half, creating thin strips of nail stickers. To achieve the manicure you see below, I used those strips to create a grid and then painted in between the lines. As you can see, some polish seeped underneath, but I'm guessing that was since they weren't meant to overlap, and they started lifting at the intersections. In any event, I'm still relatively pleased with out it turned out.


I used American Apparel Cotton as a base, with American Apparel MacArthur Park, American Apparel Trenchcoat, American Apparel Port, China Glaze Flyin' High, American Apparel Raccoon, and Essie Alligator Purse. Topped it all off with 2 coats of Seche Vite top coat.

Disclosure: Some products in this post were provided by the manufacturer for review.

12 comments

  1. These are so cute :) I kinda like how it's a bit messy

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  2. I loved it! So creative! I live in Rio, Brazil, and have already showed this mani to all my friends. We´re eager to adopt the idea.

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  3. Very cute! Love the colors you used and everything =) Keep up the amazing work that you always do! I get so inspired by all of them! haa..

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  4. I love how you created this. I often think about what I could do with those nail sticker things too because I so rarely do frenches!

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  5. I love the color combination, especially the blue and the green together. :)

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  6. Cute cute cute! I'm wanting to try squares out and with your last 2 posts I'm very inspired! :)

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  7. it's unbelievably neat considering the scale (with the nails being so small)! you are an amazing artist.

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  8. Cool way to adapt the french mani stickers to your own design- sad that they allowed the seepage, though. Great idea- and I'll bet that you could have done this same mani better free-hand, without the stickers- knowing your awesomeness!:-)
    Love the color combo, as always~ :-D

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  9. Fun design! I was meaning to send you this link since you love color so much. It's really fun to browse for color combination ideas. Beware, you can spend a lot of time on this site! :) http://www.colourlovers.com/

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  10. I have the same nail strips and I have the same problem with the color bleeding under the strips. It's not too big a problem, cuz I can clean it up painting tips on. Awesome job! I love your blog and I think this design is great! <3

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  11. I'm gonna try to do it, but I don't have these colors :P
    Woow, it seems like you love AA polishes.

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