Welcome to the Monthly Manicure Challenge! There’s a lot of great manicure ideas and inspiration here on BIC. I find challenges are a great way to channel that inspiration, push me out of my comfort zone, and try new styles or colours I wouldn’t normally go for. It’s a great way to grow in skill and artistry. I hope you’ll join me on this journey.
All are welcome, whether you’re a pro or a novice like me, or if you have a favourite manicurist that is the only one you trust with your hands. You’re welcome to post as often or as little as you like, post late, or skip challenges completely. And feel free to post them on Show Me Your Nails 2.0 too!
April 2024 - April Showers
I’m sure we all know how the idiom goes: “April showers bring May flowers.” So let’s see your water themed manicures this month!
And it doesn’t have to be typical blues for water either. Feel free to try techniques that involve water in some way! Hydrodipping, water marbling, droplet effects, etc… Feel free to try any of these and show us the results!
See My Original Post That Started This Challenge Here
I’ve been a part of BIC for a while now. I’ve seen makeup, skincare, and photography challenges, which have been great for giving me inspiration, but nothing for mani’s. I love Makeup Challenge of the Week 2021/2022/2023 because it’s given me lots of inspiration, pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow in my skills and artistry. I’d probably be stuck doing the same looks if it weren’t for that. I know we have Show Me Your Nails 2.0 which has been a great source of inspiration. I don’t want to take away from it but rather give myself and others a way to narrow down all the great ideas from it and get outside of my comfort zone (which has been bright colours and sparkly toppers lately)
Would there be any interest in starting a challenge for mani’s? We could have a different theme every month or even twice a month so that people can wear their mani’s out without worrying about missing one. People could always revisit themes if they miss them but still want to participate. I’m happy to organize it and if people have ideas for themes, I’m happy to work them in. What do you all think? Let me know if we should go one or twice a month and any themes you might want to see.
Tagging some people but feel free to tag others who I missed or who you think might be interested.
May 2023 - May Flowers June 2023 - Child At Heart July 2023 - Fireworks/Canada Day/Fourth of July August 2023 - A Day At The Beach September 2023 - We Now Return You To Your Regularly Scheduled Program: TV/Movie Inspired Manicures October 2023 - Trick or Treat! Halloween-Inspired Mani’s November 2023 - Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice December 2024 - Happy Holidays: Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, New Years! January 2024 - New Year Newness February 2024 - Love and Fortune March 2024 - Spring Cleaning
Upcoming Challenegs (*Spoiler Alert!* ⚠️ Click at your own risk!)
Thanks @JoSometimes❤️ surprisingly I found that it was quicker than air dry polish! Because of how fast it all set around 10-30 sec per dip❤️ I love how they’re a strong nail topper im
Something new to me for this manicure is making the index and thumb the accents. I usually like to keep the thumb subtle and blend in since I have big thumbs. Pairing with the index makes them look like a set and I kinda like it!
For this challenge I'm embracing the theme and practicing new to me techniques. I'm incredibly drawn to magnetic polishes but getting the effect to work, show up and be consistent is haard, I haven't mastered it and it is very new to me.
So for this mani I attempted to do different magnetic patterns. I spent alot of time doing each layer on each finger for a few minutes each with the magnet and despite that time and effort I couldn't get the effect I wanted.
The Thumb and Ring finger were supposed to be stars.
Cat eyes on middle and index.
And a vortex on my pinky.
🙈
I still think this polish is pretty but I didn't have a successful magnetic run.🧲 But that is ok. I'm still learning 😉🩷
These look amazing @CynthieLu And I love how though we don’t always get perfect results we step out of what we’re used to! I’m sure you’ll get better!❤️ I love the polish perfect for new years!❤️✨❤️
Funnily enough, that Gel polish I don't know how to use or make dry by Linc Q had the best magnetic pull off ever had on any of my fingers. 🤣 It was sooo standout.
Thank you 🙏 I'm glad you can see them lol. @JoSometimes
Some new year newness! I used OPI Welcome to Barbie Land for the first time. She’s glittery but I added a topper anyway for even more pizzazz. I also cut and filed my nails into more of a squoval shape, which is also new for me. Usually, I go for a more natural or rounded shape. It’s a small and subtle change but new nonetheless.