Splatter Painted Nail Tutorial

One big trend that I'm sure you're aware of is the galaxy print! It's everywhere! On leggings (a great pair is from BlackMilk), on shoes (the every popular Lita boot is available is this design), and now on nails! I stumbled upon a tutorial of how to do them yesterday and fell in love. Unfortunately, I messed them up just a bit...oops! The results, however, were not a disaster! They ended up looking like an intentional splatter paint design, and now I'm here to bring it to you. No one else will have them, simply because I just happened upon this is my quest for something else. Enjoy my mistakes ;)

If people know me at all, they know my love of nail polish. And through the years of collecting all of my different colors, I've become something of a snob. I tend to stray from anything that isn't OPI, haha. But, that isn't to say that you couldn't use a different brand or even completely different colors. I'll list the colors that I've used in the steps below, but I'll also post general guidelines to choosing colors that will work well. Happy splattering!

Steps for Splatter Paint nails:

1. Prep your nails. Make sure they're clean of any other nail polish, file them, and apply a basecoat.

2. Choose a dark color that will be the "canvas" of your splatter painting. I used "Black Onyx" by OPI but any dark navy, black, or dark purple would work best.

3. Next, you'll need a make-up sponge. You don't need an entire one, just a corner. You could get by with using just a corner and use only one sponge. The base of your painting should be a light color. I used a light green mint color, "Mermaid Tears" by OPI. Put a blob of nail polish on the corner of the sponge and start to dab it on your nails in any sort of pattern you'd like. Wait for it to dry.

4. Next, using another corner of the makeup sponge, choose a bright color. I used a hot pink, "Strawberry Margarita" by OPI. After your first layer of the lighter color has dried, begin to dab on the second color. Let it bubble a little bit or purposefully let some of the first color come through to create the "splatter" effect.

5. Next I used "Road House Blues", a navy, to help accent the other colors, but this step is optional. It's really up to you if you want to use any other colors at this point.

6. The last step is to add glitter. I used a multi-sized silver glitter to help add more of a "splatter" effect and to break up the colors. Add a top coat, and enjoy your new splatter painted nails! If people ask if you've been in the studio all day working on your next masterpiece, just play along.

Recent Purches 06282012

I thought today would be a good time to let you guys in on some of my most recent purchases. Tuesday I had a few things to sell at Plato's Closet (always a great resource when you're short on cash!), and while I waited for them to price my items (I got $20 for 6 items. Not the best trade, but I just didn't have any room left) I took a quick look around. I'm glad I did because I found the clearance section! Score!

This top I got for $3! I don't usually shop at Rue21 because it usually isn't my style, but I thought this top was really cute with the lace pattern and the tank underneath. Plus it is the high-low style that has really grown on me.

Just some details. The fit is a bit funny because of the elastic on the cap sleeves, but that's easily fixable by stretching it out or taking the elastic clean out!

This top was from Forever 21 was $4. But hold the phone! It still had the tags on it! The colors in this picture don't do it justice because it is actually a warmer peachier pink color. It's also the chiffon fabric that I literally cannot get enough of this summer. It's a favorite for sure!

This is just a close up of some of the sweet detailing on the collar, very girly and pretty. 

These next items I bought from Goodwill with the left over money that I had managed to get from going to Plato's Closet. Lately I've been really into finding jeans there to cut-off and customize, so that's exactly what I did! I also found some very darling shoes, and we all know that there is never a limit to how many shoes I can own ;)

These are a pair of high waisted Tommy Hilfiger jeans that I was only too happy to transform! This was a little DIY project I found on a fellow Lookbook-er's blog. They seemed appropriate since the 4th is coming up next week! If you'd like to see how I made them, just comment below and I'll put up a post about it soon. Looking at them now I might cut them off instead of cuffing them. Weigh in and let you know what you all think!

Just another $2 find. A pair of white high waisted Levi's that I cut off and cuffed. I've been really into cuffed shorts lately. I feel like they add a little bit of cleanliness and class to an outfit that otherwise might have been a bit sloppy.

I got these simple little shoes for only $5. They're suede, and a little bit worn, but I think that I'll be able to treat them with a dab of cleaner and then spray them with some suede protectant. They're just a simple little wedge, but it's something I thought I needed as a basic in my closet. They aren't the platform wedge like I fell in love with at H&M, but we college kids can't always be as picky as I would like to be!

I LOVE THESE SHOES! I can't say it enough. One of my favorite trends in shoes right now is the chunky heel, and these are so cute. I also love the super rounded toe, the embellished t-strap, the heel height for everyday wear. These shoes are basically my new obsession. I spent the most out of my day on these ($8) but these are more than worth it. I mean, how could I pass them up?!

Now it's your turn to weigh in. Where do you like to shop to find great deals? Do you love love love the chunky heel trend or the high waisted trend? Or would you rather stick to the classic stiletto and keep strutting your low slung shorts? Is chiffon and lace a personal do or don't this summer? On your mark..get set..comment!