Saturday, September 7, 2013

31DC2013 Day 07: Black and White Midnight Smoke Nail Art

Trying this look yourself? Be sure to check out my midnight smoke tutorial!

When brainstorming the black and white prompt, my mind ended up at white smoke, curling and billowing across a black sky. The best way to achieve a smoke effect (in my humble opinion) is with the watercolor technique! I tried to make the effect somewhat directional, like the smoke was actually moving from my pinky to my pointer.

If you've never tried the watercolor technique, you can watch a tutorial on Beauty Geeks or Rebecca Likes Nails. For my manicure, I used Duri Cosmetics Into the Further as my black and Milani White On the Spot as the white. Side note, Into the Further is a really fantastic black!



I attempted to make a smoke ring on my thumb. Not too shabby I think!




The watercolor effect did an amazing job of mimicking the look of smoke -- it feels like it was made for this! Lucky for me, the technique did all of the heavy lifting for this manicure.

More 31 Day Challenge
View upcoming prompts!
My black and white nails from 2012!
My black and white nails from 2011!
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60 comments

  1. It's... Beauuuuutiful! It looks just like smoke - watercolour was super effective!

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  2. Oh wow, I'm definitely going to have to try this sometime.

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  3. This is so, so gorgeous. Would you consider filming a tutorial or doing a step by step? I've read the other tutorials, but I'd love to see how you got this particular look.

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  4. Cathy - More Nail PolishSeptember 7, 2013 at 11:45 PM

    This looks incredibly realistic. This technique was made for this design. Love it.

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  5. This is stunning! I love it!

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  6. You have a great blog, and now I'm following you, I hope for reciprocity)

    http://lakoman.blogspot.ru/

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  7. Wow that really looks like smoke, very nice :)

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  8. Break rules, not nailsSeptember 8, 2013 at 3:22 AM

    Wow, that's amazing, looks just like smoke!! I'm going to have to try this! :)

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  9. I already told you on instagram, this is the awesome of awesomeness! <3 but I can tell you again :D Good job on the smoke ring, not to shabby at all ;)

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  10. I stared at these for 10min and that's no joke! Amazed at you amazingness :D
    These are my favourite from your 31DC2013 nails so far <3

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  11. This is art!! Every time you post your new nail art you amaze me with your creations :)

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  12. This is seriously awesome!!!!!!!

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  13. Such a simple technique turns into something SO phenomenal and complex!!

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  14. This was awesome! Looks exactly like smoke on your nails! :D hihi

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  15. Oh my gosh, please do a tutorial for this!

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  16. Wow!! This is gorgeous!! Love the smoke effect :)

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  17. That is seriously cool.

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  18. This is epic! I've got to try this!

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  19. Super cool! I would love to see a tutorial with these colors please! The others made there's look like dots but yours came out so much nicer!

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  20. Thanks! To create the shapes directionally instead of as a dot, I applied the initial polish in a fat line instead of a fat dot. Then the acetone made it spread out in more of a line!

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  21. Ask and ye shall receive! http://instagram.com/p/eAi_rJMSXX/

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  22. Wow! This is sooo pretty! And that ring on your thumb is so nicely done as well~

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  23. Wow, what a great job! It does look like smoke :)

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  24. I think I will try the watercolor technique for day 30! I've wanted to try it for a while, and I don't have any other ideas right now.
    Your nails looks awesome.

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  25. wish you could do a video tutorial!! this is stunning!

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  26. SO COOL!!! I think this would work for a ghostly theme too....Brilliant!!

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  27. This looks so cool, I honestly thought it was a nail sticker or something! I could never do that!

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  28. I would love to see how you achieved this look! I know there's the tutorial for the watercolor but man. This is so awesome!!

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  29. AHH this is incredible!! I'd love to see a video tutorial of this!!

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  30. Hands down one of the best nail art I've seen from you! Loving this effect -- a lot! Great job!! ♥

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  31. Oh my Gosh, this is unbelievable! So stunningly gorgeous and unique, I literally opened my mouth!

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  32. I love this. I've done the watercolor technique plenty, but never thought to try it like this. It looks fantastic!

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  33. I would really, really love a tutorial for this, too! This would be so awesome because I think it looks really insane. It looks so much like real smoke on your fingers, I couldn't believe it when I first saw this manicure. So please, film a tutorial for all us hungry nailsfreaks! :)

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  34. Yes, please. This is fantastic!

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  35. This is amazing! That smoke ring! I have to try this technique now :)

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  36. wow this is incredible! it looks amazing, JUST like smoke!

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  37. A-ma-zing! I want to try this! Whoah, just.. whoah. Looks so realistic!

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  38. This is insane! Insane and amazeballs! Love everything about it!

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  39. That is an *amazing* smoke effect! Wow! :)

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  40. OMG so fantastic! great job!

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  41. That is INSANE! When I saw the pic come up on Fb I immediately thought these were polish strips! Holy awesomeness! o.O These are beyond words!

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  42. ouuuuuuuuw love it <3 <3 Can you please do a video tutorial?

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  43. Wow, this is so awesome! I love this! I REALLY suck at the watercolor technique, so I'm really hoping I can do this-I just love black & white manis, I never get tired of them, they're just so chic, so I'm always looking for cool ways to use that combo-I hope this works for me!

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  44. Thanks! And here's a little secret, I hope to have a tutorial for this style of manicure coming up soon!

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  45. Oh good! Because I looked on here & then on YT for a tutorial & couldn't find one-I thought I was just missing something. I look forward to seeing it & hopefully doing it myself!

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  46. As a father of 2 girls. this could give me major bonus points. Can't wait to see the tutorial

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  47. Look out for it on Monday! It's super easy. ;)

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