Despite some naysayers, nail art is not dead. One look at #NailArt on Instagram and it’s clear that our obsession with intricate designs hasn’t lost its fervor. Furthermore, nail art is still a favorite on the runway as designers pick increasingly unique and creative looks to complement their collections. But let’s be honest: Who has the nail art arsenal and skill required…
nail art for beginners
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On the Diagonal
At the Mugler Spring 2017 show, models sported navy blue nails decorated with a single silver corner. Freehand this one at home with any color combination you wish.
Mugler Spring 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Gilded Cuticles
Morgan Taylor Lacquer’s lead manicurist Tracylee coated the nails with clear polish and placed a thin gold line along the cuticles at Rodarte. All it takes is a steady hand to create this look at home.
Image: Rodarte Spring 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Vertical Stripes
In a rush? This easy DIY nail art look takes just seconds to achieve. Draw a stripe the width of your nail polish brush right up the center of your bare nails for a pretty negative space manicure. No second coat required.
Image: Vivetta Spring 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Metallic Tips
This creative take on a French manicure pairs a blush-colored nail with a metallic tip.
Image: Zang Toi Spring 2017; Image: Imaxtree
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Silver and Gold
Contrasting metallics are the perfect pair for this reverse French manicure. Start with a silver base coat across the whole nail. Once dry, use a paper reinforcement sticker to guide a thick gold or copper curve at the cuticle.
Image: Creatures of the Wind Fall 2016; Image: Imaxtree
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Line Nail Art
One of the easiest nail art ideas to try, start by applying a base coat of any shade. Once dry, use a metallic or black Sharpie marker to draw a straight line down from the tip of your nail to the cuticle. You can also cut tape into small strips and stick them to your nails for the same effect.
Noon by Noor Spring 2016; Image: Courtesy of Morgan Taylor Lacquer
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Reverse French
This nail art idea is as simple as it sounds. Paint nails fully in your favorite color, then swipe a crescent-shaped accent along the area closest to your cuticle. Voilà!
Image: Imaxtree
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Snakeskin Nails
Apply your base color, then paint over a piece of loofah for a printed nail art look that resembles the scales of a snake.
Image: @archpk.rulezzz
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Glitter French Manicure
Add some pizazz to your classic French mani by drawing a line with a glitter pen at the space where the white and nude polish meet.
Image: @crystalspanails
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Lace Print Nails
Take a ripped piece of lace and apply polish with a makeup sponge on top. Remove and voilà, you have an intricate lace-inspired nail art design that took minutes to achieve.
Image: @pirulina8292
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Stripes
Sure, you can paint stripes over your favorite polish color to create an art deco or graphic design, but why bother when you can just use striping tape under a layer of top coat to get the look?
Images: LuLu*s, Beautylab.nl
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Dots
Go minimal or over the top with a simple dot pattern — and don't fret if you don't own any fancy dot-painting tools. Our favorite trick is to use the longer end of a bobby pin to dip into polish and dot away.
Images: NailDoctors.net, LuLu*s
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Two Toned
This is nail art idea is as easy as it gets, seriously. Using a few strips of tape and two complementary colors, paint nails and give them the half-and-half treatment horizontally.
Image: Imaxtree
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Sharpie
Grab a thin Sharpie marker and design whatever your heart desires over a base color. The only rule is to have fun with it.
Image: Lyndar the Merciless
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Negative Space
We saw this trend all over the Spring 2015 runways. The minimalist effect can be created by using office tape as needed to create the bare, non-polished spaces.
Images: Fall For DIY, Zoya Pinterest
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Splattered Manicure
Create a Jackson Pollock-inspired nail art look using a straw. Cut the straw in half, dip the bottom in nail polish and blow through it to create a splattered effect on your nails. Just put something underneath, so you don't create a mess.
Image: @lackvogel
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Minimalism
Paint your nails using a solid color in a textured formula and then accent a couple of nails with dots in a different color for a minimalist approach.
Image: Imaxtree
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Glitter Ombre
Getting a perfect ombre nail is tougher than it looks, but using a glitter polish for the effect takes all the guesswork out. Pair up your favorite solid polish with a complementary glitter one and paint just the bottom half or top half with it.
Image: Pausa para Feminices
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French Inspired
Giving the white-tip manicure an update by changing up the line that accentuates the tip of the nail is OK in our book. From an unexpected color combo to an asymmetrical line, we're all for it.
Images: SkinOwl, Le Fashion
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Stone Nail Effect
Paint your nails in the base color of your choice. Grab a piece of crumpled plastic and paint it with an accent color. Dab the plastic on your nails for a stone effect.
Image: @luma_ib
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Half Moon
Who knew that hole reinforcement stickers from the office supply section could be so useful for nail art? After your base color has dried, grab five of these, cut them in half and apply them about a third of the way up on the nail. The half circle shape will help guide you as you paint the half moon.
Image: @thebasecoat
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nail art for beginners #22
Next:
51 Cool and Easy Nail Designs That Anyone Can Pull Off
