Adorned Nails: Antique Brass



This is something that I've been wanting to do for a long time: a manicure in the colour of brass and with an antique look. I'm sure there are alternative ways of doing this, but this is just my way of getting that desired finish.

The following were the items used to create this look:


L-R
SpaRitual Multi-Tasker Base & Top Coat In One
SpaRitual Hypnotic (gunmetal brown with subtle shimmer)
SpaRitual Gold Digger (beige gold shimmer)
Green scrubbing pad

That last item, I'd admit it's weird, but it worked for what I wanted to achieve here.

Here's how I did it:

1. Applied one layer of the base coat.

2. Applied three coats of Hypnotic. Make sure that all the coats are fully dry. It's best to leave it as it is for a day or two. Enjoy the polish in the meantime.

3. Applied one thin coat of Gold Digger. Leave it to dry for a couple of hours.


4. Use a small corner of the green scrubbing pad to gently sand off a bit of the golden top layer to reveal the gunmetal brown layer underneath it.

• Scrub in several directions: towards the nail tips, side to side and diagonally.
• Take good care to avoid scrubbing the skin around the nails - just concentrate on the nails!
• Don't overdo it. You should just sand off the top layer.


I didn't use a top coat after that. It looks more authentic this way. You may do the cuticle clean-up before or after the 'sanding'. It's up to you.

For an even more authentic look, leave it for a few more days and let it chip a bit at the tips. You will end up with a truly old, worn-out look.



But of course, most of you wouldn't want to be caught dead with chipped nail polish. In that case, the following photos show the 'neat' version of my antique brass nails.




Nails, antiqued. Like it?

27 comments:

Lydia said...

Oh, I LOVE this. Will have to have a go at this myself.

Witoxicity said...

@Grace London
That's great! Be sure to show us your take on this. :)

BlackCherry said...

Amazing look!! Thanks for the tutorial.

The Student's Guide To Nail Polish said...

What a brilliant idea! It makes me think of historical brass figurines, that sort of thing. Very very cool.

sugar sugar said...

you have such gorgeous hands! i love all the mani looks that you do! i guess i'll never one that doesn't look good on you! =)

Milz said...

Wow it looks so pretty I will try it

Anonymous said...

This looks sooo COOL! Awesome idea and it looks very authentic. "KTee" xx

BellasUnhaseCia said...

Uau...
Lindo e perfeito!
beijos

.........

Wowww....
Beautiful and perfect!
kisses

Witoxicity said...

@BlackCherry
My pleasure. It's nice of you to drop me a line. Thanks! :)

@The Student's Guide To Nail Polish
Haha, yes, something old and tarnished! :D

@sugar sugar
Thanks, sugar sugar. You're way too kind for saying that. :)

@alvira
Hi, alvira! Lovely to see you here again. Do let me know how it works out if you try doing this mani. I'm curious! :)

@KTee
Thanks, KTee! Yay!! Here's to old, vintage looks. :D

@BellasUnhaseCia
Obrigada! :)

Anonymous said...

Stunning, I Love it! Thanks for your tutorial.....great pics. Take care, Nicole x

Adis said...

That is pretty cool and it does look like antiqued brass! I have to try this out with silver-coloured nailpolish when I have too much time :o! Awesome idea! ^^
(This gives me a good excuse to look for a good gunmetal grey shimmery nailpolish 8D. I don't suppose you have any recommendations? :3)

Witoxicity said...

@Nicole
You're welcome. And thank you, Nicole! :)

@Adis
Thanks, Adis! Heh heh, this is a pretty time-consuming mani. I'm glad you like it. Hmmm, gunmetal grey shimmer? Off the top of my head, Rococo's Gothic Lolita and Herôme Kuala Lumpur would probably fit the bill, if you don't find them too dark for this purpose. However, I'm sure there are other more reasonably priced ones out there. Btw, Rococo is available at Skins Cosmetics and I'll be showing the former polish later. :)

Mz More said...

So creative and haute! I have to try this ASAP

Witoxicity said...

@Mz More
Hi, Mz More! Thanks and do give us a peek when you do. :)

Trendy with Style "P" said...

love it! so original!
:)xx

Witoxicity said...

@patukiii
Thanks, patukiii! :D

Lolipop said...

I love your nails!!! Thanks for the tutorial :D

Witoxicity said...

@Lolipop
The pleasure's all mine, and thanks for your kind words, Lolipop. :)

Emilie Delance said...

Wauw! What a cool idea! Love the antique look :D

Witoxicity said...

@Emilie
Thanks, Emilie. :)

Inge (PolishSis) said...

Looks like heavy metal on nails !!!*plays airguitar solo for you*

Raey said...

Love the antiquey look! Its just awesome! Have to try it ASAP! :D

Witoxicity said...

@PolishSis
Oooh, I love them chords you're playing there! :D

@Raey
Hey, I'm glad you like this, Raey! Just remember to be careful with the skin around your nails when you do it. :)

Raey said...

Oh yea..Thanks for warning! Thats really sweet of you =]

Witoxicity said...

@Raey
Don't mention it, my dear! :)

Michelle said...

This is sooooo creative!! I love the rustic look of it. :) Great job! :D

Witoxicity said...

@Michelle
Hey, thanks, Michelle! :)