It's Gatsby Week!

I have become a little more than obsessed with nail art. In the last month I have bought polish every time I've left the house. Some cheap...some not so cheap. I love knowing that I have a rainbow at my fingertips to play with whenever I choose. It's also easy to convince myself to buy it when it's just a few dollars here and there. Recently, I had to move the entire collection to a full dresser drawer. Maybe I need a 12 step. Sigh.

So, I started painting away and watching tutorials on youtube. Then I started buying nail tools. And acetone in bulk. I have dap cups and ball tools. Stamp kits and plates and scrapers. Rhinestones, glitter, pearls, and omg...studs. It's a sickening amount of stuff. And I sit up at 2 in the morning after everyone in my house has FINALLY gone to sleep, and I create. At first it wasn't anything worth writing about. I also had janitor hands. But, I think I've gotten better! My nails have started to grow and with the help of some cuticle oil, the close up pictures I take for my various social networking programs don't scare people. (too much I hope)

 I decided a while ago that I was going to do some nail art inspired by the Baz Lurhman movie Gatsby which isn't even out yet. I love the 20's. Such a chic time, fashion wise. And when the nail polish company that I subscribed to get a monthly box from did their box theme on the 20s, I decided it was a sign. So this is the first of three, but perhaps four nail designs that I will do inspired by all things Gatsby and 1920s.

First thing, I needed a powerful red. Fun to use because it's so classic and so on trend at the same time. Julep came up with this shade for their May collection and named it Myrtle. I love the shade. A thick creme, that reminds me of something I saw my grandmother wear a time or two.

It's gorgeous on it's own. This is the shade done in two coats over Orly Bonder as a base coat. Just stunning. 

My inspiration for the twenties besides just basic color, is also pearls, lace, glitz, and art deco. Geometric patterns and dripping crystals. If I could figure out how to layer fringe on my nails, I would do it! 

So let's see Myrtle all dressed up for one of those deliciously excessive parties she's been invited to:

She's been tipped in Zoya Storm and the accent nail is dipped in black nail caviar with Pure Ice Beware underneath as a base for all the pretty rhinestones to drip from. I didn't want to overwhelm the mani by doing a lot else, so each other nail has one rhinestone "beauty mark" to tie it all together. I think she's my favorite so far! Hope you agree. :-)

R.