This week I've done a pink-on-pink matte paisley design. The monochrome colour scheme helps to prevent what is generally a busy pattern from becoming too loud, and the matte finish ties it all together for a design that is detailed, exciting and workplace approved.
Paisley is one of my favourite prints. I remember once, as as child, having a fever-dream where I was running through a giant paisley print maze that was on my mother's dress. Weird, I know, but it seems like I've had paisley on the brain ever since I was young! One day, while browsing nail art images for inspiration, I came across the BM 315 stamping plate and its beautiful paisley print image. As shown here by Sammy, the teardrop shapes are large and detailed without being overwhelming and I knew I had to try to replicate the look somehow.
For the base colour I used L.A. Girl Matte Baby Pink, a beautiful dusty salmon with a strong matte finish. When the base colour was dry, I used a short nail art brush dipped in Sacha Tip Toe to paint on the curved teardrop shapes. Tip Toe is a chalky pink-tinged nude colour that contrasts subtly against Baby Pink. Using a small dotting tool, I dotted around and inside of the teardrop, again using Tip Toe. In some areas the pattern was not as opaque as I would have liked so I carefully went over them with a a second coat. Once I was satisfied with my line work, I smoothed over the bumps and ridges of the design with Sacha Top Coat and then one coat of Essie Matte About You to finish it all off.
I am so happy about the way this turned out. From far my nails just look solid pink, but up close there are swirls and dots and it is beautiful.
The next time I do this design however, I think it would be better to do the paisley in a polish that only needs one coat. Having to go over the lines with a second coat of polish was a bit of a pain, and it made the lines thicker and a little messier than on the first go.
If you feel like doing this with a brush might be too challenging, Alice wrote a really clear tutorial for paisley print nails using a gel-ink pen!
I hope you all have a lovely week!
Mara
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