The Weekend Mani: My Attempt at a Half Moon!


One of the most popular nail looks that have reached classic status over the decades is the Half Moon Manicure:
originating from the 1920's, it remained in the spotlight over the years as "the" retro manicure to go for (you may have seen Dita von Teese sport this look every now and then), only to be recently rediscovered by various runways and magazines.

The colors I picked for my attempt were white and beige: I totally "borrowed" this color combination from another classic nail style (the french manicure, obviously), but in creme form. And despite not having the exact proper "tools" I needed, I think it came out pretty a-ok!

I've included what I used (and how) below (honestly it's dead-easy to the point where my "instructions" could come across as patronising):



1. Seventeen Calcium & Vitamin B Nourishing Base For Weak & Brittle Nails as a base coat.
2. Two coats of L'Oreal Color Riche nail polish in 001 Snow in Megeve, all over the nail. At this point, you'll need to make sure that this shade is completely dry before you continue (make yourself some tea and come back later)!
3. Now's when the stickers come into play! Ideally you'll need some ring binder stickers to cover the base of your nail bed, unfortunately I realised I had run out of those, so I used the Nailene Perfect Tip French Polish Guides instead. I wouldn't advise you to use these: the result you get from the ring binder stickers is a much more distinct and "true" half moon, than what I ended up with.
4. Follow with your second color of choice: I used two coats of Essie Topless & Barefoot. Immediately after you've applied the second coat, peel off the stickers and wait for it to dry a couple of minutes, before
5. Finishing it all off with a top coat - mine was Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri Top Coat.

Now this is not a look to recreate when you're in a hurry, as it involves a lot of drying time and a slightly more precise hand than usual, meaning it's ideal for those slower weekend days! :)

*Note to self: get ring binder stickers!!!*

Have you tried any special nail styles, runway inspired or otherwise?


What's your opinion?

  1. This is gorgeous hun! I am so jealous! The only extreme style I've ever tried is cracked nails polish...oopsie me! x x x <3

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    1. @fashion written with a lipstick: Thank you!!! I'm with you, I can't do those elaborate free handed designs either! But it's nice to do something different every now and then (especially when there's nail guides involved, haha)! ;) x

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  2. ok now you make me wanna polish my nails all over again instead of reading!!you're a baaad influence girl hehehe!I loved the essie and it's been added immediately to my endless essie wishlist!!

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    1. @Stella: Hahahaha, who meee??? Well... sowieeee!!! :) :) :)

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    1. @Irene Blushing Loves: Thank you, thank you! :) xx

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  4. It looks just fine!!!The next time,will be perfect! :)

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    1. @beauty and the food beast!: Oh, absolutely, just as long as I remember to visit the school supply section next time, hehe! :)

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  5. Τέλειος συνδυασμός και άψογη εκτέλεση!! Θα το δοκιμάσω αν και υποψιάζομαι ότι εκεί στις ακρούλες κάτι δε θα μου πάει καλά πάλι :-Ρ
    Όσο για το Sally Hansen το έχω βάλει στο μάτι πολύ καιρό και δεν το βλέπω να μου γλιτώνει για πολύ ακόμη.. Εσύ προτείνεις???

    Φιλιά πολλά!!!

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    1. @beautyincrisis: Σ' ευχαριστω πολυ!!! Δεν ειναι τιποτα το ιδιαιτερο, απλα θελει γρηγορη αφαιρεση των nail guides, εγω εκει ειδα διαφορα! Οσο για το Sally Hansen, ναι, το συστηνω ανεπιφυλακτα (δεν μυριζει τοσο εντονα οπως το seche, και προλαβαινεις να χρησιμοποιησεις περισσοτερο προιον προτου αποκτησει την πιο gloopy υφη)! Βεβαια δεν ειναι τοοοσο γυαλιστερο κ υστερει ελαχιστα στο drying time αλλα μικρο το κακο!

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  6. Amazing, I 'll try it (using the ring binder stickers) ;) However, I think you could use the french mani stickers for the reverse look, take a look at this photo I found on pinterest (I will sure try it since I don't use these stickers for my french mani): http://www.pinterest.com/pin/307230005802020608/

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    1. @Katia Audrey: Yep, maybe you're right, I'll try them and see if they work better upside down! :)

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