33DC2013 Day 9 - Indian

Today's prompt is Indian mani, we could pick Indian as in Native American, or from India. I went with the latter. I got inspired with the Indian Mehndi patterns. This was the first manicure I did for the challenge, early in September. Even before The Nailasaurus did hers. Her execution is much better, but I'm still learning how to freehand and I'm pleased with my results.

Source

The polishes I used:

• Essence Sparkle Sand Effect - 163 Hey Nude!
• Essence - 124 Wanna Say Hello

I started with a base of Hey Nude! and freehanded the Mehndi designs. I actually did my middle and index finger first, using a toothpick. It turned out much thicker than I wanted so I switched to a thin nail art brush for my other fingers. First some pictures without top coat.

On my thumb I did the same design as on my middle finger, but I used a nail art brush, making the lines look so much better! I added top coat later, it looks so smooth with it.

I do think this is one of my better manicures, I'm proud of the result. I'll probably never be a great freehander, but if I don't try I will never improve myself. I wonder which "Indian" the others chose, you can see them all down there *points at all the inlinkz*.