You guys know, if I have a chance to be festive, I would, and nail art is just something I often do just to express how festive I am. ๐๐ฎ
Let's get a look into...
๐
My Nails Inspiration ๐
Today, we are celebrating the Chinese New Year aka the New Lunar Year. In Thailand, many cultures are still influenced by China as many of us have Chinese heritage. So, we get to enjoy this time too. I chose the color red this time around, as it's the color of China's flag and we believe red and gold would bring us luck in the new year.
๐
Getting Ready ๐
Starting with removing my New Year, New Peachy Magnet Nails for 2024!, I was really impressed how they were still intact on my real nails so good. I guess the key is to not have it for too long.
That day, my usual nail artist wasn't there, so I got to work with the new nail artist. I was both excited and anxious if she's gonna get it how I'd prefer it.
Still, this time I wanted to have long red nails, so I got the extensions and I asked her to please make it stuck to my real nails as much as possible.
As we went through matching and attaching the right size of plastic nails onto my real ones, I was getting sleepy because this process is the longest of getting nails done.
The picture on the right is when one hand is done. I do wish I could keep the length but I know I won't be able to do anything without scratching myself, so let's shorten them for practicality purposes. Now, let's make the surface of the nails smooth and even.
 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
๐
The Red Base ๐
Like I said, I picked red. It might sound like it's done there but in reality...
I still had to pick "the red" from a whole bunch of reds in this basket. ๐ I guess, you can understand me if you ever had to pick a red lipstick. It's pretty much the same thing.
Started with the clear base nail coat, making sure it was smooth even before we started painting the color on them.
 |  |  |
|---|
๐
The Gradient Gold Effect ๐
This time, the effect I chose is to make the gradient with the color of gold. Why not? Red for luck and Gold for money! ๐ The nail artist using her hand and the brush to "scrub" (that's the word she used) the gold powder on the red base.
 |  |  |
|---|
With some smudging and decorating process, the gold and the red started to gradually blend into each other.
 |  |  |
|---|
This is the finished look from this step.
๐
The Golden Tree Effect ๐
From the last two pictures, did you notice why I left some of my nails un-gradient? That's because I want those nails to have other effects, the golden tree. I believe it's a good sign for growing well into the new year.
The way to do that is to draw a clear gel in the shape of a tree, then "scrub" the same gold powder on it to make it visible. Oh! One more thing. I want to show you this. My nail artist uses this gold powder. I'm not sure what it is but it looked like an eye shadow. So, if anyone knows what it is, please shed light on me. I wanna know what it is.
๐
Finished Nails and My Opinions About Them ๐
That's the last step of the nail art for my Chinese New Year 2024, guys, and here are the finished product. The red base, the gradient gold, and the golden tree. What do you think about it?
For me, my super honest opinions is that I'm partly disappointed with these nails. I was expecting the red to be more darker and the tree to look more like a bamboo tree, to make it more Chinese. I think the nail artist didn't really get all the details as I hoped.
I like the gradient part. That one was new to me and I'm satisfied with how it turned out but the tree, /myeh/ not so much. I guess I just had to let the nail artist know exactly how I wanted it and be clear about it.
This time, it wasn't all bad, maybe we're just new to each other and I just need to communicate what I want more. Still, I got my lucky Lunar Nails. Let's see what I'll come up with the new nails next time. Hope you guys stick around and enjoy this nail post of mine.
Stay glitter and sparkling, everybody!
Khob khun kaa,
Nomnomnoodle ๐