Sunday, January 8, 2012

Cool-toned splatter

Hello everyone, happy Monday! Monday is such a daunting day, isn't it? To take the edge off, I thought I'd do a dramatic splatter manicure, which is one of my very favorite techniques.


I started with a base of China Glaze Re-Fresh Mint, though you can't see that very well anymore! Then, I taped off the finger areas surrounding my nail to make cleanup a bit easier.

I splattered on Sally Hansen Going Green first, then OPI Ogre the Top Blue, then Wet N Wild Ink Well, then Orly Frolic. I think that it is a good idea to include either black or white in every splatter manicure, as they really stand out from the other colors you choose to include and add a lot of great contrast and definition.


When I do splatters, I use a regular drinking straw. Some people prefer smaller straws but the regular sized drinking straws work well for me. I dip the straw directly into the polish, and then do a strong and fast puff of air through the straw on to the nail. The speed and strength of the air is the key to getting a good looking splatter effect. For an in-depth step by step on the process, check out this question I answered on Tumblr a bit ago.


I am very pleased with this color combination, in particular. It kind of reminds me of the 80s, or of a Ninja Turtle. The green is clearly the turtle and then the purple would be the color of his eye mask. Which I guess makes this splatter mani Donatello inspired? And yeah, I did have to Google which one wore purple.


I love splatters so much, but MAN they are such a pain! The splatter takes 3 minutes to do, but then cleaning up after it takes 8 BILLION YEARS! The tape makes it easier to clean up the finger, but the splattered polish almost always gets into my cuticles and floods them. Cleaning up 10 flooded cuticles? Not so much fun. Oh well. The things we do for beauty, right? :)

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54 comments

  1. I love this!!! Definitely reminds me of the 80's, but more of the graffiti, lol. I need try this one day. But based on your description, I must do it when I have time.

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  2. Looks amazingly good! I hear you on the cleanup!

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  3. WOW!!! this just looks amazing !!! I love it!!!!

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  4. Awesome! Love the color combination!!

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  5. Ahhhh this is awesome! I love it! :)

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  6. I will have to try another splatter mani. I attempted one and it didn't do anything.

    This looks so cool!

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  7. Would it maybe help to use some oil on your cuticles AFTER the basecolor but before splattering? Might be easier to scrub off :). Or that liquid paste stuff you can stick to your cuticles! Anyway, love this manicure, looks very disco ;).

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  8. wow! That looks amazing! Have to try this!

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  9. I love these!!!! I usually tape off my nails like if I were watermarbling before I splatter to help with cleanup. I am so madly in love with your color combo!

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  10. I love these so much, the colors you picked together are just perfect!

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  11. These are beautiful! I've never been able to get the hang of splatter manis....

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  12. I LOVE it! The color combo is awesome!

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  13. this is so very good, looks like my favorite colors came together. :)

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  14. Beautiful.. *-*

    http://cassiakizzy.blogspot.com/2012/01/presentes-do-lucas-e-da-mae.html

    =*

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  15. Maybe the most gorgeous splatter manicure ever!

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  16. I love this.. You're so talented!!

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  17. Holy WOW! This is just simply amazing!

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  18. WOW. Very artsy and tricky mani you created.

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  19. ooh, I so have to try this! (and your watercolor mani, man). I deal with flooded cuticles on a regular basis, so this will come easy to me xD

    great mani, love the color combination and the TMNT reference :D

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  20. Amazing. Love the colour combo =) I must try this technique one day. Does it splatter further than your fingers?

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  21. @Becca - Yes, it does splatter everywhere. That's why I tape up the finger surrounding the nails; that way you can peel off part of the mess. Even so, you will probably need a Qtip dipped in remover to clean up the fingers, too.

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  22. This manicure is amazing. super cute :)

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  23. Love this mani! Especially when it's Ninja turtle related - ah my childhood heroes! <3<3

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  24. Looks totally awesome! I keep meaning to try a splatter mani but I'm intimidated by the cleanup time! LOL

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  25. Heroes in a half shell! TURTLE POWER! My little brother was in Love with TMNT. Funky splatter nails my friend. I love them!

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  26. you look picasso :PP

    i liked ! i love this mani!

    i will try this mani!!
    i want tutorial :)
    www.nzlsyn.blogspot.com
    i wish you visit my blog!

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  27. Holy Crap these are awesome! I love the colors you picked!! I can only imagine how hard the cleanup must have been!

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  28. WOW~! Really interesting and awesome way to spice up the mani! Loving it TTM xD

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  29. These are super neat and the color combo is perfection. Love it!

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  30. That looks awesome!!! New follower from A Pop! of Polish (www.apopofpolish.blogspot.com)

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  31. Love it, I have yet to try this mani, but I really should..

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  32. I love this "darker" type of mani. I will certainly try this in the future!

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  33. Hi, I'm new to your blog and I love it!! Your manis are so impeccable - how on earth do you get the cuticles so neat? Every time I've tried to use a Q-tip or small makeup brush at the base of my nails for cleanup, I just end up smearing the polish around rather than creating a neat edge. I'd love for my polish to look as neat and tidy as yours.

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  34. This is just AMAZING!!! I LOVE your blog! What a talent u have!! (So glad ur mom gave u a "shout out"!!!!!) I can't wait to see what u post next!!

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  35. so this is amazing...i decided to try it because of this post...sadly mine didn't turn out even half as good as yours. you're amazing! i love how u did urs & the color combo!

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  36. I loved them!! They are difficult to do, don't they?

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  37. this look is so cool!! i really want to try it. i had no idea you used a STRAW! thats awesome. and this color combo is great

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