Gloss/Matte Gradient?

After I got NYC Matte Me Crazy, a family member put in a request for a manicure. She had seen the gloss tips and the gradients, and she wanted to see both at once. I thought that was a great idea! Unfortunately, I am not a skilled polisher. I've only been polishing my nails for less than a month now. While I believe I have done well with some (Forest Gradient, Holly Golightly Nails: Revisited, and Strawberry Nails), I have failed with others (ha! you go find 'em!). This will probably go under my list of failures.

Yeah, it's not the best. And you should see my six other nails! I tried a few different techniques. The traditional two color technique with two uncolored polishes did not work one bit! I couldn't tell where one ended and one began. I tried a different technique, but I had used a fast dry topcoat for the gloss, and it thickened way too fast. I finally cut the matte coat out of the final sponge technique since it dried up almost as fast as the topcoat.

The final technique I used goes like this. Base coat and two color coats go on first and dry. I used China Glaze Foie Gras because dark colors show the matte/gloss contrast better. Also because it makes my nails look like delicious gourmet chocolates! Then it's matte coat time. I've heard that other matte coats take forever to dry. This one dries in under a minute. Finally, it's sponge time! I used a non-fast LA Colors Base Coat/Top Coat. I sponged on a light layer to the middle of my nail. The second round, I made sure the sponge was moist and wiped it down the last third of my nail. The last round, I made sure the sponge was super moist and dabbed it onto the tip. My middle finger turned out best.

What do you think of the concept? If you can improve on the technique, I'd really like to see. So post your links in the comments!!!