Water Spot Effect

Today I didn't really have any plans set in stone after work and I didn't feel like going grocery shopping - so I figured why not try the water spot effect as seen on various blogs.  This version is a alternative to OPI's Spotted Top Coat Effect which was not released in the united states and hard to obtain unless you live in the UK.










So without further ado let's get to it.  The first thing you want to do before applying any polish of choice is to apply a base coat - I skipped this step because I knew I would be removing the polish once I was done with this experiment   Secondly, apply your nail color of choice.  I chose Wet n Wild Black Cream.

Next you want to tape off your nails, give your nails enough drying time so that you don't smudge them (I waited about ten minutes before doing so).

Once you have everything taped off you can begin.  The reason I use the tape if because the cleanup process is a hot mess if you don't and the tape eliminates most of the cleanup process.  I started with forming a bulls eye with Sinful Colors Pink Forever.  I used about 8 to 10 drops of polish in the water.  The more you add the brighter the color will be.

Before you begin forming your bulls eye I forgot to mention you need to mix your solution to make the spots in the water.  For this you will need a spray bottle, hand sanitizer and white rubbing alcohol.  I didn't have any hand sanitizer so I improvised and used a bottle of Victoria's Secret body spray that I had over two years because the alcohol content remaining was really high and I added some rubbing alcohol to it and shook it up really good.

When using the spray bottle you want to start maybe six inches away from your cup or bowl whichever one you choose to use.  I also forgot to mention that I used room temperature filtered water.  Make sure your water is room temperature, if its too cold it will not work.

Hit the pump on your spray bottle twice to see how the bubbles begin to form.  You want to stay away from polishes that are too thick or polishes that do not spread in the water (it's all trial and error) - spray until you get your desired effect; again the polish you choose may alter the effect shown in the water. Once you get your desired design dip your nail over it into the water.

Once your nail is in the water start blowing air on the top
surface on the water and use your wood stick or desired tool to remove the access polish off the top surface before removing your nail from the water.  If you shake your nail before lifting it from the water it will prevent air bubbles from ruining your design.

Bam!  Now you are all done...just take your acetone polish remover and clean the edges and perimeter of your nails and apply your top coat and you're done.

I repeated the steps above using Wet n Wild Shine French White and a blue by Sinful Colors.  The white reminds me of a cow pattern and I think that I will be using that color the next time I try this.

After an hour of playing it was time to remove everything and go to bed.  It was easy to remove I only need two cotton balls...it took one to remove all the nails and another one to just go over them because the black base color used.  Overall it was fun but next time I try them I will be adding some glitter to them.

If you try them let me know how it turns out for you.