Crash into the Picture Polish Ocean

Please understand 

This isn't just goodbye 

This is I can't stand you 

This is where the road crashed into the ocean 

It rises all around me 

And now we're barely breathing 

A thousand faces we'll choose to ignore

No, It Isn't — (+44)

Have I ever told you how much I love putting my favourite songs' lyrics into um, everything? Because I sure do. They don't have to do anything with the topic, it might as well be just one matching word in there. This time the lyrics were taken off the top of my head and the word in question was...the name of a polish.

Yep, so much for the diversity of my posts.

But shooting painted nails isn't as easy as it may seem, just like any other kind of photography. Why would anyone think it is. Why would I think it is. Which I did, judging by the folders worth of poor digital (heh, heh) snaps.

So I finally decided to try and put some proper work into it. Besides, the weather was on my side: the sky was covered in one light uniform cloud which served as a nature's softbox. I threw together a simple set-up consisting of white wove paper and my trademark desktop camera stand. You can see it here. Then I've taken half a hundred pictures of my differently crooked fingers with various objects seized in them. Let's take a look at the best ones, shall we? :D

Picture Polish Ocean, along with its three other blue brothers, became one of my first indie polishes. It has a turquoise blue jelly base scattered with holographic flakes. Their holo-ness is rather timid, but they still sparkle nicely. You can wear this polish on its own or layer over, say, white or mint to tweak the hue. :)

Spacey nails tutorial

Oooh look! It's a post!

And it's about nails again! 8D

But worry not, it's a good one. So good, in fact, that when I posted this tutorial on deviantART, it became one of my most popular works in mere days. I figured it wouldn't hurt to share it here as well. What is more, this technique can be used on basically anything — shoes, clothes, starships...nails are just one humble example.

Here's what you'll need to create your very own little piece of galaxy:

• Base coat 
• Colour polish 
• Top Coat 
• Non-toxic acrylic paint 
• Nail polish remover (NPR) 
• Water 

• Sponge 
• Toothpicks 
• Small fine brush 
• Piece of cotton 
• Palette (jar lid, piece of foil...) 
• Nail file 

A little remark about the photos in this tutorial: I took them on a short and gloomy winter afternoon with not the best of my set-ups, so please forgive the lighting. But hey, at least they are clickable for full size.

Now, let's begin!

1. Start with base coat to prevent staining and extend your mani's life. Apply polish of your choice — any colour and finish you like. I chose Orly La Playa, a navy blue creme that went opaque in one coat and is an old favourite of mine.