Before Instagram Series - Purple Dots

This was my first time trying on double dots and it wasn't very successful, if I learned anything was that you need to use a pretty opaque nail polish when dotting to make them look nice, and this wasn't the case.

For these I used Kleancolor Pastel Purple and Sinful Colors Let's Talk

Before Instagram Series - Gold/Black Crackle

To this day, this gold nail polish is my favorite, and when you add a black crackled top it gives a cool tiger look, cool enough for me not to care is kinda like animal print, which I'm not a fan of.

For these I used China Glaze Black Mesh over Nanacoco Colorholic.

Before Instagram Series - My Stash

This needs no introduction, here's my stash as of August 2012. It looks so small now. I think it's nearly impossible to take a picture now that I'm sure I'm over 600 polishes. But back then I was around 160. The last picture also includes my nail art stash.

Before Instagram Series - Chevron and Dots

Ever since I got those nail guides from eBay I knew I was gonna use them a lot. It is an easy way 

to get a cool look, and chevrons are always in style in my book.

For these I used Kleancolor Red Alert, Black and White.

For the dots I used this set of dotting tools.

Before Instagram Series - Black/Grey Stripping Tape

I really liked this super elegant mani. This was the first time actually using the stripping tape as part of the design as in leaving it on my nails.

The color combination was perfect for a night outing. I used Sinful Colors Secret Admirer and Black on Black.

I painted my nails with the pattern I wanted to have and used the tape to outline the colors.

Before Instagram Series - Silver/Orange French

This is a pretty easy and fun style I created inspired on my new iPad smart cover.

For these I used Kleancolor Mango as the base color and used the silver glitter striper from Shany and added some cute clear flower rhinestones.

Before Instagram Series - 4th of July

This was my first time doing holiday nails. I wanted something fun to match my super American outfit and they were a hit at the beach where I went to see the fireworks.

This is a Mix N- Match design and I incorporated a lot of elements.

For the pinky I used Kleancolor White and the red striper from Shany and added some blue stars rhinestones.

Before Instagram Series - My first Zoyas

This one is just a simple swatch of my first Zoyas ever, Zuza and Myrtle

Before Instagram Series - Gradient

I don't remember what motivated me to do this, but this was my first approach to a gradient/Ombre look.

I don't even remember what colors I used for these, sorry!.

Before Instagram Series - Spun Sugar

You people loooooved this look on Instagram when I did a blue version.
I think a lot of people didn't know about this technique, but I actually found a YouTube tutorial a whileee before that and did this combo of matte black and green.

I used China Glaze Black Mesh (I don't know what I was thinking using a crackle nail polish), Kleancolor Neon Green, the tool is from this Mash nail art brush set and Essie Matte About You.

Before Instagram Series - Corset

This design is not that different from the Converse one execution wise, but at the same time it looks nothing like shoes (I hope so).

This one was way cleaner than the Converse ones so I was very happy about that :)

For these I used Sinful Colors Dream On, which still is one of my favorite colors ever! And completed the details with the Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen and Shany White Striper.
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Before Instagram Series - Chevron

I think this one was one of my favorite manis for a long time, I loved everything about it!

For these I used some nail guides I got from eBay, I have only seen these on eBay from this UK seller and they come in some many different shapes, it's a must have.

However, I wish they were a little thinner and beware! The glue is sooo strong, more often than not they will come off with your base color and all, so if you want to get them, make sure you use a bonding base and that your base color is really really really dry, like paint the base the night before or something, I'm not exaggerating!

Before Instagram Series - Watermarble

This is, by far, my favorite technique! I just love how unique watermarble is and how awesome they look is for those who don't know what watermarble is. I have to confess it took me a looooong time to get a hang of this, but I have gotten pretty decent.

But back to a year ago, I had no idea what I was doing, but I followed some tutorials on YouTube and this is what it came out, which I have to say it was pretty good for a first time... the second, third, forth and so on weren't nearly as good as this one.

Before Instagram Series - Magnetic

Another trend people hates on that I still like. Magnetic polishes are really cool when using the right set of magnets that is NOT the China Glaze one. However, when I got this first one it was the only one out there and it wasn't too bad, but it was really expensive. Later on I found some cheap Chinese ones I found on eBay that were way cooler, but this first time this is what I got.

Even thought the burgundy color is too serious for me, it was the one I liked the most in this collection. It is China Glaze Instant Chemistry.

Before Instagram Series - Watermelon

After the Converse nail art success, I decided to try watermelon nails.

This look is pretty simple, but mastering the look of the green part took me a couple of tries. By the end I was very pleased with the result and it's a look I would totally try again.

Before Instagram Series - More Crackle

This is another quick post about crackle. You can read what I think of it here.

This time I used Kleancolor Bikini Green and topped it with LA Girl Fracture.

(OMG my cuticles)

Before Instagram Series - Checkered Nail Strips

This is the only time in my life I have used nail strips. I don't like them, I feel they look fake, they wrinkle and they don't last long. As a matter of fact, these lasted just long enough to take the pictures.

On the bright side, you can't beat the designs! I don't think I have ever seen perfect checkered nails like these, EVER. But the coolest thing about these particular ones is that they glowed in the dark! I was super excited about that feature. Keep in mind this was way before Serum No. 5 Day Glow which was my first glow-in-the-dark nail polish. Now they are so common, they are not even that exciting anymore.

Before Instagram Series - Crackle

I don't know why people hate on crackle so much, but I'm glad cause I really like this look and it's always super cheap cause nobody else buys them ;)

For me, crackle nails are an instant nail art look without much effort and if you use fun colors like these ones it can turn out pretty cool

For these I used Kleancolor Pastel Purple and LA Girl Fracture. I wish I had better pictures of them cause they were pretty fun and cute.

Before Instagram Series - Striped

Another trend I early adopted was the stripping tape, I found a set of 10 different colors on eBay for a very good price and I went for it.

When I received them I had nothing to compare them to, so I thought they were the bomb. But in reality they were really bad quality. I think the glue was too strong so when I pulled it out of the roll, the color would peel off :(

Before Instagram Series - Silver and Holo

This is just a simple swatch of a couple of those Kleancolors that started my addiction.
I can't say enough how good this brand is for starters and even not so newbies. I'm still loving the chuky holo ones and here's Holo Chrome over Pearl Silver.