NOTW Christmas 2012: Christmas Reindeer Nails

Dear all nail art lovers,

Today I'm back with my second Christmas Nail Art, Reindeer Nails. Not forget to mention that Reindeer is other popular Christmas symbol, especially the flying Santa Claus' reindeers who help him to deliver all the Christmas presents. But for you who do not specially celebrate Christmas, you definitely still could rock this design anytime you feel like it. I guess the design is pretty versatile, not necessary only for Christmas time. 

Honestly, I really enjoy to recreate those cute reindeers on my nail and often get compliments on it ^_^. So, if you would like to recreate this design, let's get to the tutorial!!

Before jumping into the tutorial, let's see what you need to prepare first!

Products used:
1. Base coat and top coat
2. Pink polish, OPI Pink Friday
3. Black polish, China Glaze Ink with Ultra-Fine Nail Art Brush
4. White polish, Orly French Manicure Nail Lacquer
5. Brownish taupe polish, OPI Over the Taupe
6. Your choice of base color; I chose OPI Did You Ear About Van Gogh, a light beige creme polish
7. *Optional* Red polish for the female reindeer bow, China Glaze Red Satin
8. Nail art brushes
9. Dotting tools

Tutorial

1. First, apply base coat to protect your natural nails.
2. Apply your own choice of base color. I used light beige creme, OPI Did You Ear About Van Gogh.
3. Using a nail art brush dipped into the brownish taupe polish, draw a vertical line at the center down to the edge of your nail, as the guide on how tall your reindeer's head would be. Then, draw a half oval shape as the reindeer's head.
4. Using the brush, fill in the head shape with the same brownish taupe polish. You may adjust the shape or the height of the head as you do this.
5. Add two small ears on each side of the head.
6. a) Using a nail art brush dipped into black polish, draw two vertical lines on the top of  the head as the antlers. To finish the antlers, continue by drawing small horizontal lines at the right and left side of the vertical lines you made earlier. If the lines go over the edge of the head, you could simply correct it by painting over using the same brown polish you used for the head. b) Paint a small half black circle near the edge of the nail for the reindeer's nose.
7. Using a dotting tool dipped into white polish, create two small white dots for the eyes. If you wish, you also could dab a small white dot on the reindeer's nose too.
8. Use a smaller dotting tool to put two smaller black dots inside the iris of the eyes. Then dab two small pink dots on the cheeks for cuteness.
9. Actually I draw female reindeers on my both thumbs for some variation. You simply just add a small bow on the top of the head using red polish and nail art brush. Then, dab a small white dot on the middle of the bow.  
10. Let the design dry about 30 minutes. But, you might see some irregular strokes are too noticeable.
11. That's why, don't forget to apply top coat to seal and smoothen the design. 
12. Now, you are good to go!! ^^

Finish look, inspired by simplyrins design

So, what do you think of this nail design?? This is fairly an easy design to recreate. You might just need to practice to handle the brush as you wish. 

If you do recreate it, don't hesitate to send me the picture to my Twitter. In case you have any request for certain Christmas nail design, let me know in the comment, I might try to recreate it. Thank you for reading <3 <3 <3

Amour,