Galaxy Nail Art Tutorial

Nail art doesn't have to be as intimidating as it may seem.  My first venture into nail art was a galaxy print, using this exact tutorial.  I'm a huge fan of galaxy prints, and this is a great beginner's project because galaxy nails can be as abstract and imaginative as the painter wants it to be.  There is no wrong way to put the universe at your fingertips!

Tools you will need:

• A makeup sponge to dab polish
• Toothpicks to add finishing dots and clean nail edges
• Vaseline to line your nail beds for easy clean up
• Q-tips or paper towels to wipe away excess polish
• Different nail polish colors: at least a dark base, white for "stars", and a galaxy color

Tutorial video:

My attempt at galaxy nails

And this painting technique doesn't stop at just finger nails!  I used the game process to personalize canvas shoes for my boyfriend and me!

Get creative and have fun!

Zoya PixieDust Tomoko

A swatch of my first textured polish, "Tomoko" from the Zoya PixieDust line.

When nail trends come around, I don't immediately buy into them since they usually seem like gimmicks to me (looking at you crackle, magnetics, chalkboard, fuzzy polishes).  Textured polishes are no exception.  When they first emerged on lacquerista radar, the bumpiness actually turned me off completely.

At a friend's recommendation and raves, I decided to pick up my first textured polishes during the 3 Free Zoya sale (Receive any 3 Zoya polishes for free, just pay $12 shipping).  While I can say that I am pleasantly surprised about their PixieDust texture line, I can't say that it completely changed my opinion of textured polishes as a whole.

Tomoko is a beautifully warm champagne glitter.  I consider it less of a textured polish and more of a perfected glitter polish, not a topper, but one of those glitter polishes that are too top-coat thirsty.  The kind that dries to that rough finish no matter how many top coats you apply. 

The color immediately reminds me of China Glaze's "I'm Not Lion", which is one of my all-time favorite polishes.  I cannot wait to do a swatch comparison.

Removal of Tomoko was just as much of a pain as any other glitter polish, but at least the wear made it worth while.  I made it to 4-5 days before any noticeable chipping.

Overall, I am incredibly pleased to have purchased this PixieDust polish during a sale, but at $9 retail, I doubt I would buy into this trend.