saramlouise

[saramlouise]

[saramlouise]

[saramlouise]

[saramlouise]

[saramlouise]

[saramlouise]

[saramlouise]

So about 7,000 years ago, nailpornography requested that I do nails based on The Doors, and I have finally painted them. I thought the whole concept of their Full Circle album was super cool, and the album art is to die for. I hope you like them, I know it's a bit subjective, because they are quite strange... but people are strange.

[saramlouise]

This was asked on my other tumblr account, by soonight , but I thought it would be best to answer here.

 I purchase all of my nail art supplies at Sally’s, because that’s all we really have around here. I’ll just sort go in to what I purchase from there, and then I’ll talk about some other places that have less expensive nail supplies, and some ways I save money (because I’m cheap).

 The acetone I use is the 32 oz Beauty Secrets Nourishing Acetone - $5.99

 As for topcoat, I use the huge 2.5 oz Beauty Secrets Nail Hardener - $7.79 I’m not picky when it comes to topcoats. I have tried OPI, Seche Vite, Orly, Out The Door, Finger Paints, etc., etc. I don’t really care for one over the other, I just needed one in a bulk size, so this is the one I use.

 I actually don’t use a basecoat. I don’t really have any issues with staining, and I don’t find that my polish lasts any longer with or with out one.. With that being said, I have used Orly’s Top 2 Bottom Basecoat - $7.99, and that one got the job done. The OPI Natural Nail Base Coat - $9.49 works as well (my mom swears by it), they’re just rather expensive for something that I don’t see a huge difference when using. If any of you can recommend a super long lasting basecoat, please let me know.

 For brushes, I used to swear by the Winning Nails Sable Nail Art Brush - $4.79, it was the only brush I would use. Earlier this year, Allison from bornprettystore.com contacted me, and let me pick out some items. I picked out the 4pcs Nail Art Brush Set - $3.51, which are now my go-to brushes. I don’t get swayed by the word ‘free’, so when I say the brushes are great, I mean it. A) the quality is great, just as good, if not better than the Sally’s one and B) they are inexpensive. You get 4 for less than the price of one, so that’s great (plus free shipping, which is music to my ears.)

Since you specifically mentioned a glass nail file, i’ll link you to one here. They are $2.46, again with free shipping, and I’ll give you a 10% off coupon at the bottom. And no, I am not getting anything to mention the bornprettystore, they don’t even know I am writing this post. I will say, that if I get five more orders using that coupon code, they will sponsor a giveaway for you guys (Again, I don’t get anything out of you using that code, it’s just there for you to use when you want).

 So that’s pretty much what I use, now I’ll tell you a couple of ways you can save money on your supplies.

Number one is a Sally’s membership card. I think most people know that, but  it’s a good way to save a couple bucks, plus it’s $5.00 off of your first purchase as a member. Also, I always make sure to use a coupon, because why spend extra money when you don’t have to?

 Number two is if you specifically are interested in the OPI topcoat and basecoat. Depending on where you shop, you can find them in a duo for only $10.00 (considering they’re $9.49 each, that’s a steal). I’ve seen them in a couple local-only beauty shops, but I’m sure if you keep your eye out you can find them. I did find the duo on Amazon for $13.56, if you were interested (which is still a good deal). Number three would be discount and wholesale websites.

bornprettystore.com - They have a ton of nail art items at super low prices, plus freeworld-wide shipping (I hate paying for shipping, so that’s why I keep mentioning that). 10% off coupon for all orders is SESG10.

dollarnailart.com - Every item available on this website is $1.00 (excluding their value sets). I’ve personally never ordered here (though I have browsed), but I have heard of a lot of people who have. They sell a lot of nail foils and glitters.

For discount polishes:  (I have never purchased items from any of the three sites below. I do browse them a lot, and again, I know of A TON of people that have/do purchase from them)

Trans Design Inc. - They carry acrylic powders, gels, brushes, and an assortment of polishes at about half price. Essie polishes are $4.25, China Glaze are $3.25, Orly are  $4.25, etc. (They have a new website  www.nailsupplies.us , but both work.)

Head2Toe Beauty - They carry the same sort of stock as Trans Design Inc. China Glaze $3.25, OPI $3.95, Seche $4.00, etc. 5% off coupon code: APR05 (expires April 30th, 2015)

8ty8beauty - Again, same sort of idea as the other two. China Glaze $3.25, Orly $4.25, Seche $3.88, Color Club $3.00, etc.

I hope this helped you, and anyone else with a similar question! - Sara

[saramlouise]

I know I said my next design would be a request, but I really wanted to participate in Wear Yellow For Seth, so please excuse the fact that this is not a request (but they are coming soon!) 💛💛💛

Since Seth’s favorite show is PAW Patrol, I knew I had to use that as my inspiration. I chose Rubble, because he was the coolest looking dog on the block, and was of course sporting Seth’s favorite color, yellow. This is by far one of my favorite designs I’ve created to date.

Seth is a five year old, living with SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency), who is awaiting his second bone marrow transplant.

To read more about his life and story, you can check out his mother’s blog here: https://ourlittlehero.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/who-is-this-seth-anyway/

-To donate to his GoFundMe page: http://www.gofundme.com/SupportSeth

-To purchase a t-shirt to support Seth (the design is one of his paintings): http://athletesbrand.com/seth/#product-wrap-1

[saramlouise]

[saramlouise]

New nails based off of Pink Floyd The Wall (the movie). Its a mega weird one, so if you like weird/Pink Floyd, you might enjoy the movie. Sorry I've been so absent on here, I've started I.V. treatment, and am at the doctors all the time. I'll probably do another little health update within the next month or so, I'm just waiting on some more results to come in. And just a quick thank you to everyone who's been sticking in there, even though i havent posted much as of late.💖 Also, I know my girls nailpornography are big Floyd fans, so this one is for you.

[saramlouise]

[saramlouise]

[saramlouise]

Nails for BCA month, hoping to bring a little awareness to male breast cancer victims and survivors.

[saramlouise]

I absolutely adore your designs. I wanted to ask you how do you grow out your nails so long without them breaking or splitting? I have strong nails but they break when they grow out,and there's a certain point to where they grow and then stop. Any tips? Thanks :)

Hey, i'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply, everytime i've tried, tumblr has stopped responding. And thank you, i'm happy you like my nails! I actually don't do much of anything to my nails to keep the length. No nail strengtheners, or vitamins or anything, and i actually have pretty thin and brittle nails. The only thing i really do, is make sure to file my nails in one direction, so they don't snag on anything. I also make sure not to file my nails down, nor clip them, i only shape them. Even when i break a nail, i dont file/clip the rest of them down, and that keeps the length. You can see it in my GNR nails, but people usually don't notice it in person. I also eat extremely healthy, but i'm not sure if that has anything to do with the speed of my nail growth.I used to have a little routine to keep them long, but im really lazy with those kinds of things, so i haven't done it in a while. I do think it works though, and have heard of others doing similar things, so if you want to, you can try it. Get a small bowl (i use a manicure bowl, but if you don't have one, that's fine) and fill it with white distilled vinegar (or whatever kind you have). Add a tablespoon or so of olive oil to it and place the tips of your fingers in the bowl. Then add a few tablespoons of baking soda into it, and soak your nails for ten minutes or so. Rinse and dry your hands, then brush cuticle oil (or any oil you have, walnut, almond, grape seed, etc.) on the surrounding area of your cuticles and nails (front, back, and sides). Leave on for five minutes or so, then rub in. Once completely dry/soaked in, topcoat the whole nail (front, back, and sides), that will help prevent any snagging. Then i'd repeat the process once weekly, repeating the cuticle oil every night. After doing this for so long, i don't even need to use cuticle oil any more, which is good, because like i said, i'm lazy. Anyways, i hope that helped you out some, and thank you for the question!

[saramlouise]

Monstrously Mini Day 3: Favorite Treat/Candy, inspired by Wonka Nerds.

[saramlouise]