After I photographed the teal polish I showed you here, I was excited to bust out my new dotting tool set from LA Girl (if you're in San Diego here are the details where you can buy this kit). Thanks to several of you for letting me know that the LA Girl dotting tool set has also recently been spotted at Meijer, so if you're in the Midwest and live near a Meijer, you can pick it up for $4.99 (I paid $3.98 for it here in San Diego). Because of this sighting at Meijer, I wanted to post about this set ASAP because I don't know how long displays like this will last--they might sell out quickly and I want anyone who wants this to have a good chance at getting it!
You can also purchase it online at Cherry Culture for $4 (thanks to several of you for pointing that out as well!). The name of the set I bought is La-Di-Dots, and it includes a mini bottle of white creme, black creme and neon pink, as well as a dual-ended dotting tool (the neon pink looks orange in my pic but I assure you it's actually pink):
LA Girl Polka Dot Nail Art Collection in La-Di-Dots
(retail: around $4)
So here's my first attempted at using a dotting tool! I used the black and white mini polishes that came with the LA Girl set, and I put them on top of NYC Mint Breeze:
Not too bad for my first time using a dotting tool, right? Some of the dots aren't perfect, and I'm still trying to figure out the right amount of pressure to apply to make all the dots look consistent, but I'm getting there! I used both the small end and the larger end to create these dots.
WELL worth the four bucks I paid for this set! Up until now, I've always used the flat end of a bamboo kebab skewer as a dotting tool, but I feel that an actual dotting tool is easier to control and gives a more precise, clean dot. If you don't already own a dotting tool and you're interested in polka dot manicures, I highly suggest purchasing one. It's kind of addictive once you start, and I have a feeling you're all going to get sick of me posting pics of polka dot manicures here in the future!
Do you own a dotting tool? If so, do you prefer it over toothpicks, pencils, skewers or whatever else people use for polka dots?
Oh wow, that is a FANTASTIC manicure - not just a fantastic first dotting mani, but just overall gorgeous! I bought a dotting tool at Sally's a little while back - it was only a couple dollars - but haven't managed to use it yet. Maybe I'll use it today, how inspiring!
ReplyDeleteI bought a whole set of dotting tools (all different sizes) off of ebay and have never turned back! They're just so simple to use and add just a lil' more to your mani!
ReplyDeleteThat looks great!!
ReplyDeleteI just got a dotting tool last week from Sally's, with the dotter at one end, and nail art brush on the other. Haven't tried it yet, but now I really want to! I'd love to get one of those dotting tool kits with many multiple sizes. You're supposed to be able to do a marbling technique with them, too...I need to search YouTube to see how!
ReplyDeleteNicely done for your first dotting design!
ReplyDeleteLove your mani G!!! So cute
ReplyDeleteyour nails look great! they're longer than i remember seeing them...
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I don't own any dotting tools, and I didn't think I needed one, but this post is changing my mind!
ReplyDeleteYou talked me into going to Marukai, i'm more of a Mitsuwa person. The dotted nails are fabulous!
ReplyDeletewow, super cute! I passed on the stamping but this is something I could do (and how fun for toenails, too)
ReplyDeleteThat is a really cute Mani G!!! I am thinking that I want a Dotting tool!!!
ReplyDeleteThat looks great! What an awesome color combo to begin on. It can be a little trickier than one would think. Nicely done!
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!!! Great job!
ReplyDeletevery cute! no way i would have guessed it was your first time using a dotting tool :)
ReplyDeleteI love this manicure! Green polishes are my favorite!
ReplyDeleteI actually bought my dotting tool at the grocery store in 2003/04 (I think). It was part of a L'Oreal display, which I don't remember the name of at all. I still have a couple of the polishes I bought (which are black & white), and I bought a baby pink too, but I rarely used it and gave it away. I lost my dotting tool & recently found it. I think I need to use it again!
I sort of want this kit (or at least the dotting tool) because mine is only one-sided. So fun! I honestly don't think I could ever tired of polka dots. Polka dot is actually in my email username. ;)
Fantastic job for your first time and in general this is just super cute!!
ReplyDeleteyou did a grate job the your blog :-)
ReplyDeleteI really like it, I think it turned out great for your first attempt! :)
ReplyDeleteThis post convinced me to get my own dotting tool, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWow -- I somehow missed this post from 2012. I'll be looking for a dotting tool at Sally's in case the wooden skewers in my kitchen drawer don't do the trick. :)
ReplyDelete