Hey there. What’s up? Can you believe that the end of summer is almost here? It’s been very hot where I live and I haven’t been overly active in my Kolor Kave lately. However, recently I received some nail mail – squee!
So, of course, I had to put together some quick summer bee stamping nails.
Since the activity was really just a simple stamping session – I thought it would be fun to switch things up a bit from the traditional nail art post. Instead, this is going to be a collection of “mini-posts” related by a common theme – “Summer Bee Almost Gone”.
Let’s see what I’ve put together…
Nail Art Inspiration Photos
Yup. This was a record-breaking Summer for many of us in the Northern Hemisphere. I’m not embarrassed to say I spent a lot of it, ok – ALMOST ALL of it – indoors with the A/C cranked. I don’t know about you, but when the heat lags on…my creativity just about completely evaporates. I did manage to get some fun on my nails for July 4th…but lately, they’ve been pretty bare.
Meanwhile, my polish-room is a mess. I had started a couple of other projects and put a big push on my blog sale. (Everything is pretty well picked over now…I think I’ll be donating the rest shortly.) Anyways…
Alas, the first hint that Summer is winding down has arrived. Finally, the temperatures are dropping and we’re getting a much-needed break from the humidity.
With some better weather motivating me, I was up off the couch…and outside with my camera to capture the late-season blooms and friends that were in my yard.
Just getting out in the fresh air and taking in all the colors jump-started my previously melted neurons and got the creative juices flowing again. Squee!!
The flying bee is an edit available using the VIMAGE app.
COLOR PALETTE
The official first day of Fall is just a few weeks away. Before we know it, we’ll be in the “end of the year” mode. In that vain, I propose we slow down and enjoy the transition as much as possible. One way to do that is to make time to paint nails – of course!
What to paint? What to paint? Hmmmm….where does one start when out of practice?
“Well, gee, Kimett…you just told us about how the flowers sparked your creativity…why not use them as a guide. You can start with a color palette and go from there.”
Great idea! Thank you for
As you’ll see below, I settled on a particular shot of Surprise Lilies to pull colors from. I think it offers a winning color palette suitable for a nail art design waving goodbye to Summer. Using my photo, I created a color palette that I think will work nicely for nail art.
It’s settled then. The next post will showcase nail art using these five colors. Or, at least be inspired by them. I may not have polish or paint in these exact colors. My stash is good size, but not big enough to have ALL the colors (yet-LOL).
Would you care to join me? I’d be thrilled to hear if these colors inspire you too!! You can post your nail pic (or knitting, coloring, crafts, anything — I love seeing it all) in the comments below — or tag me on the socials!
BTW, Bee-Tee-Dubzzz, this palette will be going up on my Pinterest board, Instagram Stories, and Facebook Page for you to save or share.
BLOGGER BUZZ
Looking for some nail blogs to follow? Cool. Cuz I want to spread some blog love around from time to time.
Today’s featured blogger is Emiline of the Nail Polish Society.
She started her blog just over six years ago, and I’m chuffed to say that I’ve been a regular reader the whole time. She has lovely nails, beautiful swatch photos, and a fashionable nail art style. Many of her nail arts are bookmarked in my inspiration folders. Oh, and – you’ve got to read her NPS Declaration and About Me page — really, they’re genius.
Over the years, she has established relationships with many of the Indie polish makers as a swatcher. Recently she added a series of polish maker interviews – called Spotlights. Definitely check them out!
During her Blogiversary last month, she held a giveaway. And guess what? Little ole’ me won the raffle! Yup. It was a sweet set of prizes — many of which were from the What’s Up Nails store — so you know it was a good nail mail day!
Thank you, Emiline! I am looking forward to many more years of your blog posts.
Summer Bee Stamping Nails
I decided to try out some of the prize goodies right away and pulled out some nail tips to decorate.
You’ll probably notice – there are only three nails in the picture below. In case you were wondering, I’m not planning on starting a 3-nail trend or anything…it’s just what I got done in that “play session”.
Making these nails was pretty straightforward. Here’s a quick rundown of what I did:
- I first mixed up the base color using regular yellow nail polish and a gel made specifically to turn a regular lacquer into a gel polish. Then I immediately applied it to all the nail tips and cured. (2 coats, followed by top coat)
- Next, I stamped the various images using Moyra stamping gel polish in black.
- Because my honeycomb stamp image wasn’t large enough to cover the long nail, I brushed on a solid area of the black stamping gel. This became the “cuff” in the design.
- I applied a dusting of black chrome powder over the nails and used a soft fan-brush to remove the excess powder.
- Lastly, I put on a top coat of gel.
Note: If you’re unfamiliar with using stamping gels and want to find out more — Moyra has detailed instructions on the product page.
Nail Art Supplies Used
- Base nail color – “homemade gel” made with:
- Hydracol Polish-to-Gel and
- regular nail polish (Virtuous Lacquer – Chastity)
- Stamping Gel – Moyra Nails – black
- Chrome powder — What’s Up Nails – black (*giveaway prize received from Nail Polish Society)
- Various Stamping plates:
- sunflowers: Pueen – Lace Blossom
- bee stripes: FabUrNails – FUN20
- honeycomb: Mash – 61
Hydrocal Polish to Gel 
Moyra Stamping Gel Polish 
What’s Up Black Chrome Powder
Another Note: Even though the powder I used is a black chrome powder, it needs an opaque black base to appear as a true black. Not unlike most products used when stamping since the layers are so very, very thin. On these nails it appeared as a charcoal grey on my nails (the blue-ish tint is a reflection in my product shot).
I was happy with these summer bee stamping nail art tips. Mostly I was going through the motions for practice, but I think they came out well enough to share (obviously). Either way, I hope you liked seeing a bit of nail art…
TIME OUT FOR CARTOONS
Speaking of
**Squeak**
And, for a cartoon with lotz of beezzz…
have you seen the Bee Movie? It is on Netflix right now too. Yeah, it’s been out a while…but still a good one. In case you’re thinking whether or not this is totally nail-appropriate chatter…may I remind you that Barry surfs the toilet water waves on a nail file!!
(screenshot image from this video clip)
SOCIAL SHARE
And, since we’re having a summer bee mode with this post…here is a little #beenailart photo gallery from recent posts that popped up in my Instagram feed lately.
- Mariya’s made these stamped nails in perfect colors for between seasons Summer & Fall. IG: @mari_girl2203
- Lexa’s fine line hand painting skillz are just amazing!! Love the botanical feel of these. IG: @glitterfingersss | blog: Glitterfingersss
- Gen paints amazing miniatures with watercolors!! Her page is like a nail art museum! IG: @vernimage
- Alina’s reverse stamped bees are just too cute! IG: @alinasnailplace | blog: Alina’s Place
LOVIN’ LATELY
Well…as the cooler weather approaches, we’re gonna have to up our nail care game guys! Thankfully, Sarah launched a new brand, Unicorn Magic Skincare, that can help us keep our hands healthy, our cuticles presentable – and more!
Sarah (aka @mrsluckyboy85 on Instagram) knows what we need. Her beauty brand’s tagline: Deluxe artisan bath, body & home. Her labor of love is our gain! She has all kinds of fabulous skincare products – and wax melts coming out too. If that’s not enough, new Fall products go live in her shop this weekend. I’m jus’ sayin’.
I hope you check out her site to learn all about the healthy goodness — like BEESWAX— that goes into her products – and the icky stuff that doesn’t. She offers vegan choices too. On top of all that, her scents are really fabulous! And there’s so many to choose from.
And, if that’s not good enough — I can attest that her products work. Also, she has THE BEST customer service ever!! She’ll check your order out thoroughly – ask any questions in case you’re like me and forgot the scent choice.
TWO THUMBS UP FOR Unicorn Magic Skincare
After using her products just a short while I can tell you that I’m pleased as punch to add this line of hand/nail care products to my arsenal. I’ve already placed two orders – that’s how much I’m diggin’ her stuff! The following deluxe products (and scent options) are the ones that I have tried and enjoyed, so far.
- Cuticle Rescue – Unicorn Farts scent **My favorite**
- Triple Butter Hand Lotion – Vanilla
- Cuticle Balm – Gingered Peach
- Vegan Cuticle Balm – Cucumber Melon (promo sample w/order)
- Cuticle Oil – Lilacs in Bloom
Seriously, unicorn farts smell divine!!! Who knew?
That blob on my thumb is the amount I scoop out and then redistribute to all my cuticles on that hand. It takes a few minute to sink in, but…it’s a good excuse to take a moment and relax. 😉
Yet Another Note: This is not a formal review – I’m just sharing my experience and spreading the word about a product made by “one of our own” nail girls.
And, finally, here’s another look at that gorgeous polish with gorgeous coppery flakies floating in a milky pale grey sea.
BEE-FORE WE GO…
Did you enjoy this type of post? Was it too long? Too short?
Anything you were busy doing this Summer that you’d like to share with me? What are you looking forward to seeing in Autumn/Fall nail art this year?
Lastly, I want to take this opportunity to give you a giant hug across the
Till Next Time,
DISCLOSURE – Summer Bee Almost Gone
Nothing to disclose. All items mentioned in this blog post were either purchased by me or personally gifted to me.
Find more links to places/things on the Kimett Recommends page.
This post was last updated on October 16, 2020.
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