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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

ABC Challenge: S is for Spotted (Sort Of)


Howdy, everyone!  Another late Tuesday/early Wednesday and we're on to another ABC Challenge post!  This week's letter is 'S' and it's one of the few letters that I've known what I was going to do for awhile.  Since I've started manicuring my nails on a regular basis, one of my favorite techniques is water marbling.  I know most people have a love/hate relationship with this technique, as it tends to be messy and fussy and somewhat wasteful, but you can't argue with the results you get when it works.  Today, rather than doing a straight water marble, I've used a water spotting technique (see what I did there with the 'S'?) to create a different texture to a regular marble.  Here are my spotted (slightly) nails!


The main difference between a spotted water marble and a regular one is that instead of swirling several polishes together to create pattern, you spritz the polish-coated water with rubbing alcohol, hairspray, or hand sanitizer.  This causes the polish to separate and create "spotted" patterns into which you dip your prepped nail, just like you do a regular marble.


You'll notice that I'm referring to this manicure as a 'sort of' spotted mani, mainly because the polish I used didn't spot up like others I've tried before.  In an effort to do something different, I used all duochrome polishes (see polish list at the end of the post) and it seems like those tend to make a different type of pattern than the creme polishes I've used in the past.  However, I'm calling this a happy accident because I love the result!


I am so excited to see what everyone else came up with for this letter!  Please stop by and check out the other ladies' posts, you can find them via the thumbnails below!

As always, thanks so much for reading!

Polish List:
Sally Hansen Nail Prisms~Ruby Sapphire, Amber Ruby, and Golden Cinnabar
Color Club~2 random duochrome polishes I got in a set with no names...*sigh* why do they do that??


23 comments:

  1. I'd describe it as a metallic skittle mani! Anyhow it's beautiful

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  2. It may not be spotted but it's still turned out really prettily! Looks awesome.

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    1. I wish I could have gotten better pics of it because it did look more spotted in real life, I swear! lol Thanks!

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  3. Very pretty! I've not heard of this technique before, will have to give it a try.

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    1. I highly recommend it, it's less fussy than a water marble because you don't have to worry about creating a specific pattern. Thank you!

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  4. That's a happy accident indeed :)
    I can't do water marbles, all my attempts failed miserably. I'll have to try this one instead!

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    1. I had to practice a LOT to get any sort of decent results with water marbling...the outcome is so pretty though, I feel like it was worth it lol Thanks Simona!

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  5. This is so pretty. And I agree with you, I hate when they don't give polishes names! How am I supposed to remember that I really like 145C??? I can't wait to try this!

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    1. Exactly, Dionne! Numbers don't have the same memorable-ness as a cute name :) Thanks!

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  6. Wow! This mani looks amazing! Great job!

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  7. I love water marbles but I've never tried water spotting technique. Maybe because I already have OPI Black Spotted?!? Mmm, more probably, I haven't tried it yet because I'm sooo lazy! Anyway, I love your final result! :)

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    1. Cristina, if I had OPI's Spotted, I definitely wouldn't bother doing this technique. But I can't seem to get ahold of a bottle here in the States :( Thank you!

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  8. Yes yes yes!!! This reminds me of an oil slick!! Such a cool affect and I'm not even made at you for your use of s!!!!

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    1. I love doing water effects with duochrome polishes for that reason, they always look like an oil slick. And for all that oil slicks are kinda gross, they do look really pretty in the sun lol Thanks, Nicole!

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  9. I really like this finished look - very cool! I've gotten everything to try this technique, but haven't gotten around to it yet.
    Seeing your result may make me pull out the cup and water after all...

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    1. Just do it! It's less frustrating than a straight water marble, I swear! Thanks, Liz!

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  10. Happy accident for sure! The effect looks great :)

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  11. It looks like a mylar flakie! Awesome!

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