Nail & Deco: Let's Make Some Art!

Here are a few tutorials from my increasing collection of nail publications. One is from an issue of Nail Max, one is from Nail Venus, and the other is from the book Nail Super Design Collection. I thought they might offer guidance and inspiration for whoever sees my blog. :D

I am using the actual size of these images so you can see the details. (I have been uploading smaller resolution sizes lately.) Click on the thumbnail for the full size. Enjoy!

...And a Rant

Of course I couldn't put all of those books without looking at them. That made me start thinking and lamenting over the deterioration of Nail Venus magazines.

This is one of the first volumes of Nail Venus I ever purchased, back in 2006. For several years, Venus was a strong competition to Nail Max for my favorite nail magazine. Though I personally hated---and still do---the stapled spine, as opposed to the perfect-bound spine of Max, the nails are equally beautiful. Or they were. Now, honestly, they bore me.

Look at these nails from the above 2006 issue:

Pretty! Unusual! A little extravagant on a couple but still very lovely and wearable.

Now, look at the Spring 2012 issue:

Well, the cover is nice. How are the contents?

YAWN.

I have noticed the shift in nails for the past year or so, and because of that have stopped buying pretty much all Nail Venus issues. The fact that Max continues to improve and showcase more beautiful nails with each issue keeps me content. Now, I know there's been a change in fashion from the more outrageous nails to simpler ones, but it doesn't explain how Venus's nails have started to bore me while new issues of Nail Max have simpler nails, but are still very exciting. It's disappointing, and frustrating. The only plus side to this is the fact that my wallet doesn't have to shell out money to buy two series' worth of issues.

Note: The Nail Venus Bibles, released once a year and very similar to Nail Max Collections, are still quite nice, though the 2012 edition wasn't up to par with the ones in years past. Still, I'm much more likely to buy one of those, than the regular issues.

Nail & Decoden: Nail Venus, Pt. 1

Finally my internet is back up! :D

The funny thing is, even though this was supposed to be a shorter post I ended up taking more pictures than normal. Haha, oops.

I will never scan entire magazines or books. Why? 1. These are somewhat pricey and I am not ruining my items to give people free scans. 2. If you really like the content you should show your support and locate a copy of your own to purchase. 3. Scans simply cannot compare to the lovely feel of paper.

I will be showing some pages from Nail Venus Bible 2011. This post is meant to be only eye candy:

Like most magazines that are "special issue" publications, the nail art inside is divided up by color.

Deep pink....

Pastel....

Pink/Warm colors....

My favorite part of this issue is a several-page-long spread featuring different gels and gel nails. Gel has become very popular, and it's easy to see why.

More gel nails. (Yeah, I'm lazy and didn't rotate the picture the right way.)

A close up. Eee, so pretty!

I liked the ad for these Dolly Wink polishes so much, I made it into my lock screen background! Seriously, how cute are the bottles, and even the little box they come in?

After coming home from work, I found this waiting for me in the mail....

My decoden pieces! Finally I can start decorating my own phone cases. Or whatever else I feel like. It came with a big pink bow, little pearl bows, rhinestone hearts, pink fimo clay roses, a chain of rhinestones, a plastic mirror, a plastic purse, a silver crown, a silver lock and key (my personal favorite. It might get turned into a necklace), little white pearls, little pink pearls, little pink and white AB crystals, and little clear and pink regular crystals. Sparkly!

I'm starving. I think it's time to eat some vegetables and work on my next entry.