Pink Friday Hearts Valentine's Day Manicure

Valentine's Day is such a great excuse to surround yourself in adorable pink things and hearts. It doesn't matter if you're in a relationship/dating - just take full advantage of the theme. I can't help it! I picked up some heart shaped post-it notes yesterday and somehow can't avoid wearing something pink or red every day. This manicure is a perfect example.

I used OPI's Pink Friday from the Nicki Minaj collection. 

I LOVE this pink. It's an adorable chalky, light pink that goes on extremely opaque in two coats. It's a happy medium between OPI's Mod about You and Shorts Story - slightly lighter than the classic Barbie pink but so perfect and girly.

I painted on tiny white hearts French-manicure style along the tip by creating tiny little "V" shapes. Then I painted a bigger heart on the ring fingers and added loops around the edge to make it look like a doily.

Are you guys immersing yourselves in the pink and red spirit?

Pin It

Our Date with CTV

What an amazing day! This morning, we had the honour of teaming up with CTV Ottawa Morning Live for a chat and a couple nail art how-tos.

It was so much fun to be in the studio getting ready to go on and we had so much fun chatting with Lianne about what we do.

Getting ready to go on.

Getting our microphones!

Getting nervous/silly

Here is the clip of our first TV experience...so fun!



Step by Step Roses Manicure

After a basecoat and two coats of your desired base colour, roughly paint on two semi-circles onto the nails in your desired petal colour for the roses (you can use the regular polish brush for this step - it doesn't have to be perfect).

With a skinny green polish, paint on small triangular shaped leaves on either side of each rose.

Using a skinny black polish brush, roughly outline the roses and add a couple curved lines inside to add definition for the petals.

Outline the leaves with the same black polish.

And, voila! A perfect manicure for Valentine's Day.

Pin It

Teaming up with Holt Renfrew for "Pucker Up"

Next Saturday (the 11th), we will be teaming up with Holt Renfrew and Deborah Lippmann to set up shop and do nails! As part of Holt's Pucker Up event, we will be at Ottawa's downtown location of Holt Renfrew from 11:00am to 5:00pm with full access to Deborah Lippmann's products - that means guaranteed awesome manicures!

Here is the lowdown:
- If you want a manicure, you must book in advance
- We are not charging for manicures! Instead, with the purchase of any two Deborah Lippmann products, you will get a free Beauty School Dropouts manicure

So, all you have to do is call Elena (613-238-2200 Ext. 2265) to book a manicure and, when you come in on Saturday, pick out two of Lippmann's amazing products! (Win-win!)

Hurry up and book your spot before they fill up!

For more information and to book a manicure, call the Deborah Lippmann counter at Holt Renfrew at 613-238-2200 Ext. 2265.

We can't wait to do your nails!

Pin It

Summer Lightning Storm Manicure

We were inspired.

We hemmed and hawed about how to recreate a summer storm on our nails for a while. It took a few tweaks here and there but we have finally pinpointed a process. It involves several layers of pinks and purples, lots of dabbing with a small brush, and, finally a lightening streak. A step-by-step how-to could be in the works if you guys are interested! Let us know.

And, here it is, a Beauty School Dropouts' original - Summer Lightning Storm:

Crash!

Pin It

That was SO BFF!

Us (the BSDs) getting ready to manicure!

The BFF shopping night was such a blast! We got to spend the evening doing what we love best (nail-arting) all the while hanging out with old and new BFFs alike. Cocktail wieners, wine, manicures, giggling, and shopping...what else could any girl ask for?

Manicuring away!

While we were chatting/shopping away at Victoire Boutique in Wellington West all evening, there was also a super fun time going on at viens avec moi - an ah-mah-zing new shop that just opened up down the street (seriously, check it out...you will not regret it!). I already have a mental list of all the things I need to go buy from there, pronto! (If I were you, I would check out their website, like them on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter - you need to get in on their awesome style). They had a free photo booth set up; stocked with balloons, sunglasses, and hats to pose with; where you could get your photos taken by the awesome and uber talented Christopher Schlesak (check out his Twitter here). Once the night was over, we all popped over to VAM boutique to get in on the photo booth action...we can't wait to see the shots!

Pictured along with some of our supplies

Our manicure addiction was satiated on Saturday night, and we are so thankful to all the awesome ladies who came out with great manicure ideas (we also thank the ones who said "Do whatEVER you want!" Seriously?? Score!). 

Check out some of the final products we came up with:

Shelbie opted for adorable white daisies on a light aqua background. So cute!

Amanda chose a silver background, glitter tips, and mustaches. What a fun combination!

The BFFs pictured together - on their way to see A Dangerous Method! (Go Jung!)

Cathia went for a metallic royal blue to match her outfit along with gold glitter on the tips

Magalie chose a deep burgundy with statement glitter tips...awesome!

BFFs showing off their finger tips!

Madison asked for a neutral base with light aqua polka dots and stripes...love this combo!

Carolynn got a beige base with light pink roses - one of our fave's!

Madison and Carolynn showing off their manis...off to a night full of adventures!

Lynne requested this awesome sliver moon glitter manicure inspired by Style by Santina - love it!

Tanya chose the ultimate deep blue glitter mani - ooh!

The BFFs rocking their glitter manicures - shine on!

Jess got a peach and pink version of the Lana del Rey manicure - love this colour combo.

So cute, Jess!

In honor of Crispin Glover's presence in Ottawa at the Mayfair Theater this weekend, Julie requested a Crispin-inspired manicure (the first of its kind, I think). Note: rats and a middle part . Creepily awesome, Julie!

Fortunately, the creepiness doesn't take away from your cuteness! Hope you had fun at the screening :)

Bonita (the Victoire contest winner!) asked for a (tiny) Matryoshka Doll manicure - adorable!

We love it!

Veronica gave us full creative license so I went with silver and plum leopard to match her dress!

Shannon went with the Lana del Rey...this manicure is so awesome! Great choice.

The BFFs goofing off - great way to finish off the night!

Wee! That was such an awesome experience. We can't wait to see you ladies again for more manicure madness. And thank you to Victoire Boutique & viens avec moi for making all of this possible! BFFs joining forces with other BFFs to support each-other - Ottawa is the best!

Pin It

Year of the Dragon Manicure

On January 23rd, we entered into a new year of the Chinese Zodiac - the Dragon. This zodiac year is unique because it is the only one of the 12-year cycle of animals that is legendary. Apparently, it is also considered the luckiest year in the Chinese zodiac. Get ready everyone! (Especially those of you who were born in a year of the Dragon).
In order to do a Year of the Dragon inspired manicure, I, obviously, chose to use OPI's Red My Fortune Cookie as the base colour.

This red is our all-time favourite red. It works on every skin tone (even those annoying pinkish ones that I have) and is simply a gorgeous, bright, and warm red.

Then, I painted on these Chinese symbols in black:

These symbols mean Gong hei fat choi, which loosely translates to "Congratulations and be prosperous" and is used to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Overall, a nice message to wear on one's nails!

I also added a fierce dragon head on the thumbnail in black and added a little gold glitter for extra flare. This is how it turned out. 

It's difficult to see the dragon head because of glare, so I took some close up photos on my phone. Unfourtunately, my phone camera really messes up the overall tone of the photograph but please bear with me!

Here are some more photos of the overall manicure:

Happy New Year - Congratulations and be prosperous!

Pin It