Burnt Parchment

This technique has been used really successfully and caught my eye a few times, I really wanted to have a go at it myself.  At first I misunderstood how it was created and thought I'd have to start burning pieces of paper and sticking them to my nails.

Then I looked again, and realised I could achieve this look with polish alone by building layers then removing sections.  I painted my nails black, then added a nude, then finally a cream colour on top.

I then "burnt away part of this using a cotton bud and nail polish remover.  I attacked this with a stiff brush to make the edges less smooth and more ashy.

Finally time for stamping some script over the top.  To make the text look more weathered, I mixed a chocolate brown with konad black and swiped the colours together on the plate. (I had to remove the stamp from the burnt away sections on my nails).  And a matte top coat finished the look.

After a little more research, I realised I hadn't quite got this right!!!!  Click here for a manicure by Copycat Claws using a much simpler, more effective and less time consuming technique!

Base colours:

1. Miss Sporty Lasting Colour, 080 Fatal Black (not pictured)
2. Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, Lychee GNP 10
3. Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, Coconut GNP 28

Stamp colour:  Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine, Cocoa GNP 34 and Konad Black
Stamping plate: Moyou London Princess Collection - 11

Halogen lighting

Gigantic thumb

Bottle shot!

Tools of the trade

How to burn the parchment

Blank burnt parchment

Close up