Breast Cancer Awareness Design with Texture for #NAILlinkup

I am sure you already know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I knew I wanted to do a design, but I was having the hardest time coming up with a concept. Then I saw the "Textured" prompt for October in my N.A.I.L Group (Nail Art Ideas Linkup) and suddenly the ideas wouldn't stop coming!

So I've got to tell you that this design wins the prize for the most nail products I've ever used in a single manicure! Wait until you see the Product Recap at the bottom! Like I said, the ideas wouldn't stop coming and I am not all that good with restraint, so I had some fun with it and came up with a Skittle I just loved!

I started with 2 coats of OPI Mod About You over OPI Glitter Off Basecoat on my thumb and pinky. Then added 3 coats of OPI Solitaire to my ring finger and 2 coats of OPI Pussy Galore to my index finger. I created a gradient on my middle finger by starting with a base of 2 coats of Solitaire and sponging Pussy Galore over it once it was completely dry. My thumb and pinky received a coat of HK Girl Fast Drying Topcoat.

I love stamping over texture, but decided nobody should get left out so I stamped all of my fingers. I used a design from MoYou London Pro 08 XL that was made up of small hearts, some open and some closed, on every finger except my middle finger. I finally tried stamping with Rica Whiteout and didn't have the best experience. I think I may not have been working fast enough for it because some of the hearts applied only 1/2 attached to my fingernail and others remained on the stamper. I didn't have time to troubleshoot so I finished with Mundo de Unas White, but I promise to try stamping with Rica again another time.

My middle finger is stamped using a design from Bundle Monster BM-321. I find Bundle Monster plates to be so fussy and this one was no exception. It took about an hour of switching stampers, scrapers, angles and pressure to finally get this design on my finger. UGH!! I applied Mundo de Unas Purple #21 and Mexican Pink #15 to the plate for this multicolor look.

And finally it was time to start the decorating! My favorite part! I started by creating a glitter gradient on my thumb with OPI Blush Hour and added 3mm heart rhinestones randomly while the polish was still wet. I added 3 different size Born Pretty Store silver hearts to my index finger. Next I added a Bundle Monster Pink Ribbon cabochon to my ring finger. Finally I added the 3mm heart rhinestones on top of the stamped closed hearts in the design on my pinky and finished it with a shiny French Tip using Colors by Llarowe Man In The Mirror. When I started taking photos I decided I didn't care for the shine on my thumb and pinky in contrast with the texture, so I matted them with Julep Matte Top Coat.

I just wanted a final look at the design before I start working on the crazy Product Recap list!

Product Recap:

Basecoat and Topcoat: NailTek Foundation II, OPI Glitter Off Basecoat, Julep Matte Top Coat, HK Girl Fast Drying Topcoat

Base polishes: OPI Pussy Galore, OPI Solitaire, OPI Mod About You

Accent polishes: OPI Blush Hour, Colors by Llarowe Man in the Mirror

Stamping plates: MoYou London Pro 08 XL, Bundle Monster BM-321

Stamping polishes: Rica Whiteout, Mundo de Unas in White #1, Mexican Pink #15 and Purple #21

Embellishments: Bundle Monster Pink Ribbon Cabochon, Born Pretty Store silver hearts, 3mm heart rhinestones of unknown origin

This design is dedicated to all of the lovely ladies that are currently working to kick cancer's ass, those that have already won the battle, and in loving memory of those that did not. Remember to do your part in early detection with self exams, see your doctor every year, and don't skip your mammograms!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this design! Don't forget to scroll down and see the other Textured designs created by other members of the group.

Thank you for reading! I'll see you at the next post.

An InLinkz Link-up