Money Smart Nail Art: Cotton buds and bobby pins

Today's nail art is something a little different, not using the usual tools I use, but making the most of household, or regular beauty items. This is my entry to Money Supermarket's Money Smart Nail Art competition, which asks entrants to create a nail art look or submit nail art tips for those looking to save money, but still wanting great looking nails.

I decided to use five different designs on my nails using different polishes and tools from bobby pins and cotton buds, to a cheap art brush from the 99p shop. I started with a pale pink base of Topshop Powder, then on my ring finger used a cotton bud dotted Bourjois Violet Couture all over the nail. For this look I didn't pour a lot of polish out, it was a little, that was still tacky and when I dabbed it on the nail the tackiness allowed the pale pink to come through.

On my middle finger I used a bobby pin and again dabbed Bourjois Violet Couture randomly over the nails. While it was still wet I took an art brush I got in a pack of 10 from the 99p shop and dipped it in nail polish remover and dotted it over the still wet polish to make it blend in. I followed with Barry M Bright Pink, Rimmel in Rose Libertine and 17 fairy Cake, following each with the art brush and nail polish remover. I swirled them slightly to get a less defined look.

On my pointer I used a cotton bud again, but this time went for big dots. I poured more Bourjois Violet Couture than before and while wet loaded the cotton bud with more polish than before making for bigger dots. I followed with the other polishes. I used the same method on my little finger, but packed the dots in closer together. And then finally for my thumb nail I dotted the Barry M Bright Pink using the polish brush randomly. When dry I outlined the dots randomly and filled in the spaces with Violet Couture. While still wet I topped all the nails with Seche Vite top coat, which smoothed all the bumps, helped it dry quickly and made it look glossy.

So there you have it! What do you think of my nail art look? And do you ever multi-task with items around the house for your nail art designs? I would love to hear what you use for your designs.