Monday, September 23, 2013

31DC2013 Day 23: Inspired by a Movie (Hercules)

I have a deep love affair with Disney movies, and one of my favorites is Hercules! In the beginning of the movie, the Muses, who are the storytellers, give you some background on what's happening by showing short, stylized animations as if they were coming to life on Greek pottery. If you haven't seen the movie, you can check out what I'm talking about here (my specific inspiration starts around 1:20 in that video).

So what I've shown are the Titans from the movie! Rock, wind, ice, and lava. On my thumb, I've depicted the thunder bolts that Zeus uses to trap the Titans in the ground.



The base is China Glaze Bend Over Backwards, a glowy red-orange that matched the inspiration image beautifully. The Titans are freehand painted with Essie Licorice and the white pieces were done with Color Club Mod In Manhattan.

For the matte photos, I added OPI Matte Topcoat. I personally prefer the matte finish for this particular manicure because it gives a more antiqued finish.

The modified Greek key French tips look a little shaky in macro photos, but I think they look pretty solid in person!



With topcoat, the base polish looks super glowy and the black looks bolder and more contrasting! Which way do you prefer it?





Here's a combo for your pinning pleasure!


What's your favorite Disney movie?

More 31 Day Challenge
View upcoming prompts!
My movie nails from 2012!
My movie nails from 2011!
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42 comments

  1. CocoSeptember 23, 2013 at 10:37 PM

    These are amazing!! Hercules <3 Love that movie :)

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  2. MarinaSeptember 23, 2013 at 10:40 PM

    This is incredible! I'm actually sitting here with my jaw dropped :O

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  3. followgashinSeptember 23, 2013 at 10:42 PM

    This is some truly amazing freehand work, Sarah. You got the source material down pat, and I love how stylized it is!

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  4. Nail Polish SocietySeptember 23, 2013 at 11:29 PM

    Holy wow! This is incredi-balls!! You got that orange matched perfectly. I agree that the matte really adds the perfect finishing touch.

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  5. Ringaile Bulatovic SchumerSeptember 23, 2013 at 11:54 PM

    This is ridiculous (in the past possible way)! No one should be allowed to freehand that kind of detail not even using acrylic paint :P Incredible

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  6. AsheselaSeptember 24, 2013 at 12:50 AM

    This is AWESOME!! Hahahaha "Zeuuuuusssss...." "Guys? Olympus would be that way." "...ZEUUUSSSSS"

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  7. AnelaSeptember 24, 2013 at 2:37 AM

    This. Is. AWESOME! I love Hercules, too-in my opinion one of the beste Disney Movies with the best songs and the most funny moments. And I immediatelly knew what your Nail Art was about, so you did a really great job. I like matte better, too btw ;)

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  8. AnastasiaSeptember 24, 2013 at 2:38 AM

    Wonderful design! I like matte version more!

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  9. kirby hartlineSeptember 24, 2013 at 4:48 AM

    Holy crap, this is amazing. Possibly the best nail art I've seen, like....ever. Hercules is so great.

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  10. Kristina PrestwoodSeptember 24, 2013 at 5:08 AM

    The fact that you said freehand just blows my mind! This is so cool.

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  11. batmomoSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:02 AM

    OMG!!! I just love hercules, and your nails are so awesome!!! It is one of the greatest mani I have ever seen! And the other greatest manicures I have ever seen were made by you too... You're so great!!!

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  12. Erin OrtizSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:30 AM

    Wow, this is my favorite design of the challenge! You did such an amazing job on this one. I think I prefer the matte just because of the high contrast between the polishes. My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast :)

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  13. Martina - Colourize MeSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    No way! I love Hercules! This is so amazing!!

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  14. ValiantlyVarnishedSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:49 AM

    Fantabulous as usual! And Bend Over Backwards looks amazing mattified!

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  15. Amanda | GlittericitySeptember 24, 2013 at 6:51 AM

    The matte is so striking--I like it better that way. That freehand work is AMAZING! You rock.

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  16. BeautyChick101September 24, 2013 at 6:52 AM

    Wow! These are so good. Hercules is one of my favorite Disney movies!

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  17. JosephineSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:55 AM

    Absolutely stunning!

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  18. EvaSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:39 AM

    WOW. I love love love the matte look. This is incredible! (And that's the gospel truth)

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  19. Sarah Lou NailsSeptember 24, 2013 at 8:04 AM

    So cool, I just watched Hercules a few weekends ago after playing Disney Trivia. Anytime "Zero to Hero" comes on my iPod I have to belt it out!

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  20. EricaSeptember 24, 2013 at 8:45 AM

    LOVEEEE THIS! Watched Hercules recently so this is great! Well done :)

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  21. Kellie ReyesSeptember 24, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    Matte! These are awesome!!

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  22. Stephanie AlipioSeptember 24, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    Oh gosh, both look awesome, but I think I like the shiny look better! It gives them more depth. But the matte look gives them a more cartoon-y feel. so.....BOTH?!!?

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  23. Patricia Haulund BelsøSeptember 24, 2013 at 9:42 AM

    Love it, Love it, LOVE IT! This looks SO awesome! I think the shiny does make the black look more black! Great!

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  24. Gillian from PlumeriaPaintedSeptember 24, 2013 at 9:48 AM

    Looks incredibly awesome, they look great matte or shiny!! :)

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  25. GabrielleSeptember 24, 2013 at 1:33 PM

    Absolutely PERFECT. Lordy! Amazing!

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  26. Debbie SpenceSeptember 24, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    JUST WOW!!! These are absolutely incredible!

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  27. Kate GSeptember 24, 2013 at 3:41 PM

    The minute I saw these, I started singing, "The Gospel Truth" that is at the beginning of this movie followed by "Zero to Hero."



    Man, I watch these movies a little too much, don't I? I can sing almost all of the songs by heart followed by the dialogue (okay, it helps I have Autism so I remember songs very well, but still...you should see me with Sleeping Beauty. I CAN SING ALL OF THE SONGS AND DIALOGUE!!!!)

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  28. SarahSeptember 24, 2013 at 3:43 PM

    Zero to Hero is one of my favorite Disney songs ever!

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  29. Anja JenkinsSeptember 24, 2013 at 3:46 PM

    Love! My girls and I are watching every single Disney animated classic in chronological order. Now, that's am epic venture! Ha ha. We did Hercules a few weeks ago and these nails make me wanna watch it again!

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  30. LeannaSeptember 24, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    WOW this is awesome! I like it better in matte as well :)

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  31. thebubblybrunetteSeptember 24, 2013 at 5:03 PM

    This. Is. Amazing!! Bend Over Backwards look stunning matte :)

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  32. Pamela D. AlduncinSeptember 24, 2013 at 5:43 PM

    Sarah this is beautiful!!! The most amazing design you could've chosen!! Loved Bend Over Backwards never would've thought it looked so cool with matte topcoat. I like both looks but matte looks so much better!

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  33. Kate GSeptember 24, 2013 at 6:45 PM

    My favorite song from Hercules is "I Can Go the Distance" followed by "Zero to Hero." Hercules is one of my favorites to watch when I need a laugh; Danny de Vito gets me EVERY time.

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  34. ManishaSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    wow..I am speechless

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  35. Gnarly GnailsSeptember 24, 2013 at 7:51 PM

    fabtastic!!! that base is perfection for this design, too!

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  36. TsuiSeptember 25, 2013 at 2:14 AM

    omg this is insanee! You attention to detail is amazing! I love these nails!
    Fashion Ganache.

    http://fashionganache.blogspot.com

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  37. MarieSeptember 25, 2013 at 6:53 AM

    This is so amazing I had to come over from my blog reader hole to comment. The topcoat version looks beautiful, but I think you're right that the matte is more on theme. Great work!!

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  38. Елена ФертиковаSeptember 25, 2013 at 8:34 AM

    It`s amazing)) My favourite Disney movies is Vinni and his friends)
    I`ll be glad to see you in my blog:
    http://elenkalena.blogspot.ru/

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  39. LittleMonsterx14September 27, 2013 at 3:07 PM

    holy moly this is insane!!!

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  40. TaylorOctober 3, 2013 at 8:01 PM

    I love you so much already- you are just amazing...and this manicure...Hercules is my all time fave Disney movie and it's so underrated- like I could marry you this manicure is so perfect!! Yes yes yes yes!!!!

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  41. MegOctober 25, 2013 at 1:36 PM

    Herculeeeeees!!! My all time favorite! This is perfection! Last year was my favorite movie, this one is my favorite Disney movie, you are awesome!

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  42. Asma khanMarch 16, 2015 at 1:26 AM

    I really love reading and following your post as I find them extremely informative and interesting. This post is equally informative as well as interesting . Thank you for information Movies

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