Un-BULL-ievable Skull

Quick reminder to enter my giveaway, running now until next Wednesday, December 2. I'm giving away 10 copies of my new nail art book, Pretty Hands & Sweet Feet, to 10 lucky winners, anywhere in the world. All you need to do to enter the giveaway is provide your contact information. Bonus entries are also available!

Get all the details and ENTER HERE!

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Tonight's post turned out absolutely beautiful to me. What do you think?

I was inspired by two pictures I randomly stumbled across on the Instagram "Explore Posts" feature. The first was this pillow, shared by user phxflea. I liked the negative space skull a lot. Then I found another pillow picture (odd coincidence) by user ohhdeer. I thought that gradient would be a perfect backdrop for the negative image of the skull.

I can't believe I got such a great gradient using 5 colors...and the gradient only took 4 layers of sponging (which, if you've done gradients before, is pretty low). Here's a look at the gradient, sans-skull and pre-top coat.

To achieve the gradient, I painted these 5 colors on the sponge, in order from cuticle to free edge:

Left to right: Zoya Portia, Zoya Chantal, Zoya Tiana, Barielle Ocean Breeze, and Zoya Natty

I didn't use anything under the gradient (besides base coat).

My other fingers were done with OPI Be There in a Prosecco, with little stud accents from Born Pretty Store.

After taking pictures of the skull, I thought I'd try a little outlining, to see how it looked. I honestly can't pick between the two versions because I like them both in their own way.

Would you wear either of these yourself, or is it a little too out-there to pull off?