*(ARGH! Pirates/Tattoo inspired Nail Tutorial!)*&

Hello lovelys! I am back!! I know I know.. I'm doing worse and worse about posting. It isn't that this isn't important too me, I have been sick for the last almost 5 weeks now and just finally got my insurance set up with the new area that I'm living in *military insurance is a pain sometimes lol* so I finally have an appointment this week... Most likely will be getting my tonsils removed SOOOO I will probably have tons of time to post after that. lol I just ask for patience with me right now with being as sick as I have been and starting my new block of college classes with more strict teachers, well it's kept me busy. Anyways, enough excuses! Now to the blog you've been waiting for! haha!

I saw the decals I used at Walgreens and it instantly made me think two things:
1: Tattoos which I now have three kind of large ones.
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2: Pirates! How can you go wrong with a design like that??!! haha

So here you go. Stick with the tutorial to see how easy this design really is!!

Awesome two tone right? All you need is nail polish, Q-tips, and a paper plate! I promise anyone can do this design!

So here with go with the tutorial mateys! (that was a push I know, but had to say it! haha)

Here are the colors I used:

*Click the pictures for a larger image if its hard to see the color names*

As always, start with a base coat!! This is such a huge step! The one I'm using ALOT as you can see from the picture haha is Sinful Colors Basecoat. I think it's like 2 dollars at Walgreens. I personally love this one because I never end up with dyed nails and it dries really quickly! Base coats do not have to be expensive but are crucial with nail polish! My Mom just used a green polish on her nails and her nails are STILL dyed green because she forgot to use a base coat! haha

Next is doing your base colors. For me, I wanted to do something a little different so I decided to paint my ring finger nails white and the rest red. I did this also so a red heart decal could be placed on the white to stand out. 

Next I decided I didn't want my nails to be plain just painted one solid color so I decided to add a two tone effect. This truly is seriously easy! I promise! All you have to do is put a little nail polish on a paper plate (not the foam plates.. polish will eat through it.. lol Learned the hard way) and dip your Q-tip in it.. Sponge it a few times on the paper plate so you can have a gradual two tone and not just black and red, or black and white depending on the nail. Start at the corner tip of your nail and work your way in to make a triangle shape on your nail. It's the same concept of painting a wall with a sponge to give a two tone effect, just smaller scale! Awesome right? :)

Now I did this next step kind of backwards so to speak. I put the decals on but then felt it wasn't going to pop much so I decided at last minute to do the sponge effect with the gold glitter color over the black. I should have done this first then decals but hey, you learn as you go and you make designs your own! I love glitter! haha

So there you go! Finished product! Awesome right? I got lots of comments on these and asked all the time who does my nails! I do! haha People say this looks difficult but I promise once you try it, you'll see how easy it is!


And just for fun since this was designed because of my tattoos as the inspiration.. Here are my tattoos! haha

I got them all in like two days. A lot of tattoo work at one time but so worth it. I have meanings behind each of mine and in places I'll be able to hide them for work. I like having a way to express my creativity on my body. I know not everyone agrees with tattoos but I won't ever regret getting mine. I love the meaning behind them. =)

My wings on my back. The wings are in memory of my grandparents that have passed away and the Live Hard is to remind myself to live everyday to the fullest, to be thankful for the time I have, and know how blessed I am everyday!

 Recognize the initials? haha LB is a nickname someone very close too me gave me years ago and I've used it as my tag on my beauty blog. Told you it is important too me! haha The stars around it, I got matching stars with my best friend/sister so it was a great memory. It was her first tattoo! So glad we got them. This was designed in like 10 minutes! Absolutely love the stars in the letters! This is on my right leg, from my knee to my ankle.

I wanted something different and even though I found this design online, I'm so glad I did. I love the meaning behind it! It's a ying yang sign but with mermaids! Creative right?? I changed the original colors and a few little things but I love how innocent the mermaids are and what it stands for. I think it's beautiful and its just a reminder for myself of my 6 week trip in Ohio and what I learned about life and how you are stronger than you think you are. It's to remind me that there is good and bad out there, but that's life. You have to just keep taking it one day at a time. I lost a friend of mine unfortunately to abuse, both physical and emotional so this reminds me of her innocence in a way. It reminds me there are bad people out there but there are truly special amazingly wonderful people like she was too.

Remember you are all beautiful and no matter what happens in your life, know you NEVER deserve to be mistreated or abused! Strength comes from within you and when you feel there are no options, there are. There are women shelters, churches, support groups, etc. Never be afraid of your own voice, it's the most powerful thing you have. No one can take that from you. It takes just the courage to put one foot in front of the other and say ENOUGH.

I apologize for that rant, like I said my tattoos mean something too me and so does this blog. I may not be able to reach the world but if I can help just one person feel beautiful again, cheer someone up, or give them courage, then I have done my job in this life! I may not know everyone who reads this but know you are all special too me. Stay smiling!! Remember you are beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!

XoXoXoXoXo,

LB