(Just Another) Mani Monday: Ladybug, Ladybug

Ladybug, ladybug, fly away home; Your house is on fire and your children all roam!

I used to say ‘burn’ as a kid but that’s really sort of depressing, so I didn’t teach Syd that version 😉

The other night my husband spotted a baby ladybug on our bed.  My daughter LOVES ladybugs- in fact, her nickname from my mother-in-law is ‘Nana’s Little Ladybug’- so of course we called her in and she spent a good chunk of time staring at it.

So when I was trying to decide what to do for today’s Mani Monday, I remembered the little visitor and decided to do ladybug nails!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Nail polish, and dotting tools.  I used Revlon Colorstay in Red Carpet, Sinful Colors Happy Ending, Cult Nails Nevermore, and Julep Kate.  You can use whichever colors you like!  I got my dotting tools for super cheap somewhere on Ebay from China, but you can find them in a lot of places.  If you need help locating some just leave a comment!

First off, I painted each nail with Happy Ending- this was my closest ‘grass’ type color, and I hadn’t used it before so I was glad to have the chance.

I had never noticed this color before, but I think it’s part of some core lines of Sinful Colors?  Most of my stores don’t carry it, but I noticed it as part of the standard larger display at Rite Aid.  I really like it!  This was almost a 1 coat polish- I added a second coat to make the color a bit brighter.  I also had NO CLEANUP.  I did my nails last night and took the photo this morning… and I didn’t have to touch up a thing.  I honestly think that’s a first for me!  I don’t know if it’s a testament to the polish, or to my increasing skills with a brush!

I didn’t take photos while I was doing the mani, but it’s very straightforward and easy.  I used one of the larger dotting tools, dipped in red, and did 2-3 dots on most fingers.  I let that dry a little, and then I took one of the tiny dotting tools, dipped it in black, and added the ladybug’s characteristic spots.  As an afterthought, I used a larger dot of black for the ‘head’ area and dotted small white dots for ‘eyes’.  I didn’t have a teeny tiny brush, so I didn’t add antennae.  I TRIED on my thumb and it came out awful and thick, so I covered it with Happy Ending- this explains some of the inconsistencies in the coverage on that nail 🙂

Super quick, easy, and cute!  I struggled a little more with my right hand because I have issues keeping my left hand steady… but it still looks decent!

Some of the eyes are giant, next to a little eye.  My ladybugs are crazy I guess 🙂

Hope you enjoy!  If anyone decides to recreate a similar look, please share pictures on my Facebook page!