Getting top-notch nail art doesn’t require an expensive trip to the salon. These intricate manicure designs may look difficult, but these tutorials break them down into easy steps.
Newsprint nails
Full tutorial here.
- Start off by coating your nails with an off-white or light gray polish.
- Let your nails soak in alcohol for a minute or two.
- Place the newspaper on your nail, print side down.
- Keeping the paper in place, gently rub it on your nail.
- Peel away the newspaper and touch it up with a top coat.
Black and white chevron
Full tutorial here.
- Begin by painting your nails a sheer pink color. This will enhance the natural blush tones of the nail.
- Tape the nail off at the bottom half in a triangle shape that comes to a point facing up.
- Paint the top half of your nail white.
- Be sure to remove the tape while the paint is still wet.
- Using black polish and a thin brush, line the chevron design.
- Apply top coat.
Water marble nails
Full tutorial here.
- Paint your nails the base color you desire. This tutorial uses white, as it is a good idea to use light/ dark contrasting colors to make your marble design pop.
- In a small cup or bowl of water, add a drop of the first color you wish to be in your design. Watch as it expands out.
- After it expands, add a drop of the next color in your design. It will also expand out and form concentric circles with the first color.
- Add as many colors as you want.
- Taking the end of a paint brush, swirl the circles to create a unique design!
- Dip your finger in and carefully remove so that the polish sticks to the nail.
- Repeat these steps for each nail (no two will have the same design!)
- Using a tissue or q-tip dipped in nail polish remover, wipe away the excess polish on your finger around the nail.
- Top coat!
Easy ombre
Full tutorial here.
- Pick two colors you would like to use for the ombre. Use the lighter color as a basecoat for your nails.
- On a scrap piece of plastic or paper, make a small dab of the two colors next to each other, touching.
- Using a toothpick, swirl the colors together where they meet so they are slightly blended.
- Dip a small sponge into the nail polish mixture and then dab directly onto the nail, so the ombre design it stamped onto your nail (the darker color should be at the top of your nail).
- Wipe off the excess polish on your finger around the nail.
- Top coat