I like my makeup, my fashion, my overall approach to life, to be a mix of high end and low end. So when I wanted to try my hand at at-home nail art for the first time, going the high end/low end route was just natural and right and FUN. But the question was — what color to go for?

I turned to Twitter and asked — sweet and ladylike, or bright and wild?

The overwhelming consensus was, bright and wild. But still I felt stuck for a color — bright nails AND a first attempt at nail art? Seemed like a fail just waiting to happen. Then inspiration struck in the form of a Sam Sparro song. Black and gold, black and gold, black and gold.

The base color is MAC Nail Lacquer in Nocturnelle – which retails for $12. And the stripes are painted with Milani Nail Art Lacquer with Precision Brush in Art Of Gold – retails for $3.99.

Please note, I love painting but precision has never been a friend of mine. I decided to try a star on my thumb, and it didn’t come out so great.

But the stripes, SO easy.

Both polishes dried amazingly well. Layered with a good top coat, this manicure is built to last! The combination is eye catching but not distracting, fly and flashy but not over the top. I’ve been getting tons of compliments on my first attempt at nail art, so I definitely plan on doing more! The Milani precision brush makes it SO easy.

What do you think – would this be a manicure you’d go for? Or do you have tips so I can do a better job? Let me know your thoughts!

COMMENTS

Irie Diva says:

May 24, 2010, 8:25 am

ur first time? this was me aaalllll thru college when the pocket was weak but the fly girl was striving lol i like the colour combo...practice makes perfect.

rmcandlelight says:

May 24, 2010, 11:19 am

I love your mani...I'm all about the nailpolish :) Check me out if you don't mind nailsbeautiqued.blogspot.com

dee says:

May 24, 2010, 12:18 pm

I barely do a regular manicure so no advice, but it is truly beautiful.

Brittany says:

May 24, 2010, 1:24 pm

I am so proud of you! This looks good. Keep it up, lady!

Eva Yaa Asantewaa says:

May 24, 2010, 1:35 pm

I don't have the nails I used to, but I'd do this. It's fun! I like Milani nail colors--inexpensive but either elegant or really rockin'!

Ms. B says:

May 24, 2010, 1:36 pm

if you buy those do it yourself french mani kits they come with sticky strips that can help make better, straighter lines... i been doing my own mani's (and pedi's) for quite some time now and found this tip to make straight line designs a breeze! but whatever you do, have fun! :oD

Seattle Slim says:

May 24, 2010, 10:12 pm

I just LOVE that you used such a great song for your inspiration. Black and Gold has been on my iPod forever and it will stay there lol. Great mani by the way. I love black and gold.

tam says:

May 31, 2010, 4:07 pm

love this song, "black and gold"

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