Illamasqua Corset Nails!!

The other day I received a tempting email from Sephora and Illamasqua's PR agent. It said: "Illamasqua urges you to be daring this holiday season by embracing your alter ego with corset inspired nails. Taking a lead from the 1920s Berlin Boot Girls use the hottest nail shades of the season in this easy 4 step guide to get kinky corset nails that will be sure to turn heads at any holiday party."

Did I want to turn heads at a holiday party? YES! Kinky corset nails?? DOUBLE YES!!!! So, I gave it a go, following the instructions included in the email:

"Steps:

·         Start off with a base coat of Illamasqua’s Nail Varnish in Vice (burgundy). The Nail Varnishes are hardwearing, chip-resistant and one coat should give you that unique rubbery finish just like a boot.

·         Once the base coat is dry use Nail Varnish in Faux Pas (blue/violet) along both sides of the nail.

·         Using a Black Nail Pen create a lace up effect from one side of the Faux Pas color to the other. Depending on nail size three crosses should be enough.

·         When the nail has dried use Nail Rhinestones at each point of the criss-cross to give the nail a lace up corset look.

Products Needed:

·         Nail Varnish in Vice ($14, Sephora)

·         Nail Varnish in Faux Pas ($14, Sephora)

·         Black Nail Pen

·         Nail Rhinestones"

Above, you can see their very professionally done version of these corset nails. Below, you can see my version! I am usually a complete failure at nail art of any sort, so this actually looks pretty good for me!! I did mess up the ring finger. I got overconfident, went too quickly, and started to draw a line to the wrong place. Dumb!

I also decided to skip the rhinestones because the ones I have around are too large, and would have ruined/hidden the corset look. I followed Illamasqua's directions, although I used scotch tape to make the lines on the sides come out straight. If I had done those freehand, this would be a hot mess.

I used Sally Hansen's Nail Art Pen. I have never really loved that pen, as you can see it kind of bleeds, instead of making crisp lines. Any recommendations for a better nail art pen?

My pinkie nail was my favorite! Look at how crisp the lines look! I don't know how I managed that, but if I did it once, I'm sure that with practice, I could do it again!

Overall, this look was not super hard for a nail art noob like me. If you are more skilled with nail art, I bet you will rock this look out! If you are just starting with nail art, give this design a try. It's really not that difficult, and looks very cool!

Illamasqua Vice and Faux Pas are available now at Sephora.com and at a Sephora store near you.

Illamasqua Vice and Faux Pas were sent to me for review by a PR agent for Sephora. For more information, please read my Disclosure Policy.