LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Monday 30 July 2012

Cath Kidston Inspired Nail Art

Topshop 'Green Room' / Revlon 'Dreamer' / Barry M 'Pink Famingo' / 17 'Mini Skirt' / Barry M 'Mint' / Topcoat (not pictured) Sally Hansen 'Insta Dri' /

I've never been one for nail art - it's not that I don't like it, more just the fact it takes rather a long time and I'm prone to chipped nails because of the hands-on nature of my jobby. However, when I had a flick through my reading list and saw a few posts on intricate flower designs including a couple of Cath Kidston-esque patterns, I took it upon myself to give it a whirl. I'm a massive fan of Cath Kidston - I have a selection of bags that I take with me to work and to uni - I just love the variety of prints and I seem to collect her designs, they're so girly and pretty - what better design to start off my nail art obsession with than one that matches my handbag? I'm rather impressed with the results of my nails to say it's my first go and I don't have a nail art pen to my name. It took a great deal of concentration, a steady hand, a bit of patience and a little help from a cocktail stick - but I managed to create something resembling the famous flowery designs (it may also help that I'm a bit of an art geek...)

After applying a base polish, I coated the whole nail with 2 coats of Revlon's 'Dreamer' for an opaque finish. I waited for this to dry completely (important you do this - the design is harder to apply if the coat underneath is still wet) and then applied little 'cloud' shapes either side of the nail using 17's 'Mini Skirt' - a pearly white colour. This is probably the most difficult bit to create without using a nail pen! Again, after waiting for this to dry I applied a generous blob (yes, blob) of Barry M's 'Pink Flamingo' and whilst it was still wet, quickly swirled in a tiny bit of the white shade again to create the rose effect (i used a cocktail stick to do this). I then applied a couple of dots using the two green polishes to resemble the leaves either side - I used two shades just for added effect. To finish off the design, I added the dots up the middle of the nail - this is where it went wrong slightly and I could have done with the use of a nail pen - I wanted the dots closer together and to follow the cloud shapes I'd previously created - but it was my first go at this after all, and to say i applied the dots with a mahoosive nail polish brush I don't think I did too bad! I then smoothed on a topcoat which seemed to soften any accidental harsh edges, and gave the nails a glossy finish whilst smoothing down any bumps created with the dots (I used Sally Hansens 'Insta Dri' which dried the design almost instantly and I really recommend it if you're a nail art fan - you can read my review here :))

I'm thinking of doing some other variations of this print - I might try to create a pink version with bigger roses next time! If you need some more Cath Kid-spiration (sorry..) then check out this post by Secret Diary of a Fashion Journalist - I have to credit her for the spark in my nail creativity as it was her post that gave me the idea, and there's also another fab post here by Pearls & Poodles.

What do you think of Cath Kidston-ing your nails?
Will you be giving this a try?

29 comments:

  1. my nail wheel just arrived from ebay so will definitely be giving this a go! so pretty x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yayy give it a go - drop me a message when youve tried it and ill pop on over and have a look! xx

      Delete
  2. This looks amazing and makes my nails look like poop right now haha. I love the design I really need to give this ago as you make it sound so easy. Fabulous post hun can't wait to see more nail art from you xx

    www.misssunshinesparkle.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww thankyou lovey :) It took me a good half an hour to do :P but i really want to try some more now - definately give it a go its easier than it looks its basically just built up of different sized blobs and dots :) xx

      Delete
  3. This looks soo nice, I am definitely going to attempt this! :) xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks darl :) Let me know if you do! Its great to see different results on different people - i want to try another variation next week xx :)

      Delete
  4. awawaww so puurrddyyyy !! gonna have to attempt this one beth! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha thanks duckling! :) Give it a go! Its easier than it looks :) xx

      Delete
  5. This is the best nail design I've ever seen! So pretty! xx

    http://belle-amiebeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww thankyouu lovely :) Im going to try some more designs soon :) xx

      Delete
  6. oh my word these are so pretty! They really do look like Cath Kidston Falsies or something, I'll definitely be giving these a go :) xxx

    www.megsbudgetboutique.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thankyou lovely :) It took me quite a while but i cant wait to try some other designs too :) defs give them a go - let me know if you do it would be good to see what it comes out like :) xx

      Delete
  7. this is so cute, i'll definitely have to try it out :) xo

    ReplyDelete
  8. they're gorgeous - dont think I'd have the patience!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow that's so impressive! I can't believe you did that!! X

    Lea x

    http://shebeginstosee.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Aw man I wish I had a steady hand.. who am I kidding I have no arty skills at all ha :( These look so pretty X

    ReplyDelete
  11. omg you have talent. this is fabulous & def something I could never do. i love it tho!
    xo Kelly

    PS. Don't forget to enter my H&M Gold Layered Necklace Giveway & check out my new linkup!

    ReplyDelete
  12. These are so pretty, I've seen floral nail art before but these Cath Kidston ones are the best I've seen!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gorgeous design!! I wish I had the skills to create such cute nail art...xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. This nail art is so pretty, wish I was as good as you !

    Fashion and Cookies
    You're invited to my $50 GIVEAWAY on LASPACENY.com !

    ReplyDelete
  15. WOW thats so good! I would love to give this a go but i never feel like i have the time to actually do it, however i think i may attempt it one day :) Do another one but with pink like you said!! :)
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your nails look amazing! Wish i had the patience for this! I posted an ombre nail post yesterday if you're interested xx

    http://laurenjadem.bogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow these are amazing! So glad I found your blog :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. When I saw the thumbnail for this post, I thought that these were nail wraps for sure. Well done girl! Great first attempt.

    x.

    ReplyDelete
  19. hey your blog is so beautiful just like you :)
    blogwalking here, mind to follow each others? let me know.

    xoxo
    rheapunya.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. pretttttttttttttty =] x

    ReplyDelete
  21. wow :) these nails are amazing! great job! x

    iampolkadots.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  22. Love the nails!!!! You must have a lot of patients to do that! Very nice!! :)

    Feel free to visit my blog! I'm just started & i could use some comments!
    Hope you will follow me :)

    Love, Lise

    www.fashionaddict09.blogspot.be

    ReplyDelete
  23. These look amazing! gonna have to give this a go! xx

    ReplyDelete

I always read all of my lovely comments. Make sure you check back as i often reply but if you do have a specific question and want a quicker response then please do email me over at birds.words@yahoo.co.uk or tweet me (@Beth_BirdsWords). Thank you for all your support! x