I have loved seeing what all the lovely ladies participating have come up with around the theme 'japanese'!
My last japanese manicure is a blingy one featuring a Maneki-neko (招き猫), which is a japanese lucky cat often displayed in shops or restaurants. I think most of us are probably familiar with them from Japanese restaurants, I know I am. These little ornate cats are believed to bring good luck.
Theme Week - Japanese - Maneki-neko - OPI GoldenEye |
The cat's paw moves in a beckoning motion and Maneki-neko apparently literally translates as 'beckoning cat'. Although to most Westerners, the Maneki-neko seems to wave (as the palm usually faces forwards), this is actually different to the Japanese who understand the gesture as beckoning.
There are so many beliefs/interpretations around the Maneki-neko on the colour, decoration and which paw is waving but way too much for me get into here. I found this hugely interesting though and I'm glad I did this manicure and learned something new!
Theme Week - Japanese - Maneki-neko - OPI GoldenEye |
For this manicure, I started out with 2 coats of OPI GoldenEye from the Holiday 2012 Skyfall collection based on James Bond.
GoldenEye is a very dense yellow gold glitter/flake shade. It doesn't seem very opaque in one coat but it builds up to total opacity without a problem. I absolutely love this polish...it's just so special and eye-catching.
Theme Week - Japanese - Maneki-neko - OPI GoldenEye |
For the Maneki-neko, I used acrylic paints and a fine detail brush. I finished everything off with a coat of topcoat.
What do you think of this manicure? Were you familiar with Maneki-neko?
OPI polishes can be purchased from various retailers.
So cute :) love ur nails
ReplyDeletethank you so much!
DeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
thank you <3
DeleteAwh this is cute and I love it! very lucky to have a Maneki-neko 1 paw waving :) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks! This has made me want to get a Maneki-neko now! :)
DeleteThis is soooo cute ^^ Your cat is just perfect!
ReplyDeletethank you! :)
DeleteThat Kitty is awesome, you are fab at free hand.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much !! <3
DeleteOh definitely, I have several in my house including one that moves. I also love that gold np and have done nail art with it twice. It does looks like it won't be opaque but it really is which is fab. Actually my 1st nail art with it was suppose to look Christmasy but since that gold is the same color as they use on the gold cats, hubby said it looked Asian! One of my favorite OPIs for sure! Any recommendations on good brushes to do the cat? U did an awesome job!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for commenting! Glad to see another fan of this polish, it really is gorgeous! I think i definitely have to get a maneki-neko! yours sound lovely!
DeleteTo answer your question about brushes...when I paint using acrylic paint I use Roubloff brand brushes which are natural hair brushes and great quality. For painting with polishes, I use cheaper, synthetic brushes from any brand I find really. I hope that helps :)