I was recently contacted by Ria, from the blog Brush Me Blush, about a 30 day series of French manicure inspired nail art tutorials she is running and she asked if I would be interested in trying out one of her tutorials. I think this is a super fun idea – I’m not the biggest fan of French tips, but she has some pretty inspiring ideas in the series. I settled on her Day 16 tutorial – The Dead French – and gave it a shot. For the base I’ve used OPI My Pointe Exactly (from the New York Ballet Soft Shades 2012 Collection), that lovely pale grey jelly that (I think) was  the star of the collection. This is the first time I’ve worn it, and I liked it so much I actually put off the nail art for a day just to enjoy this pretty colour on its own. The gradient uses China Glaze Elephant Walk, ChG Concrete Catwalk, ChG Liquid Leather, and ChG Bizarre Blurple. Now, up to this point I’ve always done nail art using nail polish. I don’t know why, I just thought it should be done that way. I started my thumb using ChG Liquid Leather and ChG White on White, quickly discovered I was out of polish thinner, and broke out the acrylic paint instead. Which I should have done, like, two nail art competitions ago. Wow, it’s so much easier. I’ve included my right hand in one picture too, since I’m often asked what I do on my non-dominant hand. I rarely bother with anything intricate: this is OPI My Pointe Exactly and one coat of Lynnderella Connect the Dots.

Thanks Ria for inviting me to try one of your tutorials! Please take a minute to go check out the other 23-and-counting tutorials she has to offer in this series at Brush Me Blush!