Autumn Dot Manicure

This tutorial shows how to create this autumn dot manicure with warm orange, red and gold tones perfect for this season :)

1)

For this design you will need  dark red, orange, peach, nude and gold varnishes. I used (l-r) Barry M #325 Red Wine, Max Factor #25 Bright Orange, Barry M Gelly #319 Papaya, Barry M #342 Nude and Barry M #320 Foil Effects.


2)

Begin by using your nude shade to paint two thin coats as a base.

3)

Next, take your red shade and, using the very edge of your brush, dab on a few dots across the top of your nail.

4)

Then use your peach/light orange polish and add some more dots to the top of your nail. The dots look best if the overlap a bit so don't worry about being too neat :)

5)

Now use your gold and orange polishes to add some more dots to fill in the rest of the top of your nail. 

6)

Repeat steps 3-5 for the rest of your nails to complete the look, then paint on a clear top coat if you have one.

And this is the finished Autumn Dot Manicure design :)

31 Day Nail Challenge!

If you're wondering why the tutorial home page hasn't been updated in ages, that's because I am currently doing the 31 day nail challenge - you can find lots of new nail designs by clicking the tab at the top of this page :) More new tutorials are  coming soon after this! 

Hitchcock Nails

This tutorial shows how to create these nail designs inspired by various Alfred Hitchcock films. It features (l-r above) a monochrome spiral for Vertio, red blood on white for the Psycho shower scene, lots of bird silhouettes on mint (because of her dress) to represent The Birds, the accent nail is a cartoony version of a Hitchcock blonde (I was thinking Rear Window, Grace Kelly) and also Rope is illustrated by a noose.

1)

For this tutorial you will need white, red, black, nude, mint, blue, brown and yellow polishes. I used (l-r) Collection #103 French White, Barry M Red Wine, Barry M Black, Barry M Nude, Saffron Mint, Rimmel Lasting Finish Azure, Max Factor Coffee Brown and the Yellow is from a nail star set. 

2)

Start by painting your thumb and index nails white, your middle nail mint, the accent nail nude and the little nail blue. 

3)

The simplest nail is the Rope one, where on your little nail you simply paint a thin brown line down your nail, then carefully add a circle onto the end of it. 

4)

On your accent nail, paint half the nail yellow, then add some curve towards the plain side to create a profile type shape. 

5)

Next, add a red sideways triangle for the lips then slightly above dab your blue polish to create an eye. Give her a flick of eyeliner with your black polish by curving over the blue eye and extending outwards.

6)

These birds are fairly simple as they are just basic outlines - just use your black shade to carefully paint an elongated m shape. The best way is to paint one curve at a time, rather than trying to do it in one go. 

7)

Next, add as many more birds as you like or can fit :)


8)

For the Vertigo nail, take your black polish and carefully paint a large circular shape as close to the edges of your thumb nail as you can, ending it slightly further in than you started.


9)

Then continue this curve and spiral it inwards. If you find lines hard to paint, try doing little dots and then painting between them like a connect-the-dots drawing, or do lots of dots next to eachother and simple smooth them out after :)

10)

For the Psycho bloody nail, give your index nail a red french tip - try tilting your nail towards your brush stroke to create an even curve. 


11)

Now add some dropping blood - use your red polish and draw some random, fairly thick shapes extending from the french tip, smooth these into the straight red line by blending the two layers of red together. Then add some random drops wherever you like on your nail. 


And this is the finished Hitchcock nail art design, I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! :)

Black & White Heart Nails

This tutorial shows how to create this black and white heart design. This is a quick and simple tutorial that gives a stylish monochrome look :)

1)

For these nails, you only need white and black polish; I used, Collection #103 French White and Barry M #47 Black. You might want to have a toothpick handy if you find smaller designs tricky as some brushes are a  bit wide.

2)

Start by painting your thumb and accent nail with your white shade, then paint the rest black.

3)

To paint a heart, simply add two dots of black side by side on your accent nail. 

4)

Next, carefully paint a diagonal line  extending from each dot so that they meet just below them. It should be a triangle type shape, and if you have difficulty with this try using a toothpick instead of a brush. 

5)

Repeat this heart design all over your accent nail, they can all be in the same direction or you can do them randomly. Then add hearts in the same way to your thumb nail. 

And this is the finished black and white heart design :)

Pink Floral Birdcage Nails

This tutorial shows how to make this pretty design. It features a pink birdcage, bird silhouettes and some flowers - a cute design perfect for spring time :)

1)

For this tutorial you'll need a green, light pink, aqua blue, medium pink and a clear topcoat. You'll also need some pink nail gems. I used (l-r) Nail Star Light Green, Barry M #309 Strawberry Ice Cream, Rimmel Lasting Finish #703 Pear Drop, Barry M #279 Bright Pink. 

2)

First paint all your nails with your aqua blue varnish. 
3)

For the flowers, start by painting some irregular circle shapes with your darker pink on your middle and thumb nails.

4)

Next, use your light pink shade to carefully paint some definition onto the flowers. To do this, paint stretched out 'C' and 'U' shapes. 

5)

Now for the birdcage, paint a thin square on your accent nail with your darker pink polish. Then add a curved dome shape on top, and a little line extending from this.

6)

Next, make sure you only have a small amount of varnish on your brush, and carefully paint some cage lines inside your square and dome. Then add two small diagonal lines extending from the bottom corners to add some detail.

7)

Now for the bird silhouette, start by painting a thin, elongated 'M' shape across the side of your index nail.

8)

Next, fill out this shape a little bit to create some curved wings. One brushstroke across each length should do it. 

9)

To complete the bird design, add a slightly angled square at the bottom to create tail feathers. Then add a small rounded line at the front for the bird's head. Paint a layer of your topcoat over your nail, and then using tweezers apply three light pink gems to the opposite corner. Repeat on your little finger nail, and if you like paint the bird in the opposite direction with gems at the bottom (which I have done).

And this is the finished pink floral birdcage design :)

Pink & Black Glitter Gradient Nails

This tutorial shows how to create this light pink glittery design. It features two gradient glitter nails and a diagonal black pattern. 

1)

For this design you will need some silver nail glitter, and  black, light pink and clear polishes. I used (l-r) Nails Inc Bling it on Rocks glitter, Barry M #47 Black, Barry M #309 Strawberry Ice Cream and a basic clear topcoat. You will also need an application brush for the glitter.

2)

Begin by painting two thin coats of your pink varnish on all of your nails

3)

Paint a clear top coat on your accent nail; while it is still wet, brush your glitter across the base of your nail, make this section very glittery

4)

Then brush a thinner layer of glitter onto the rest of your nail to create the gradient effect.

5)

Repeat the last two steps on your thumb nail.

6)

Take your black polish and carefully paint a diagonal line across the top of your nail, fill in the remaining triangle shape. Allow this to dry fully before the next step.

7)

Once the black section is fully dry, use your clear polish to paint a diagonal line along the edge of the black shape. Then brush some glitter onto this line.

8)

Repeat this for the rest of your nails.


And this is the finished pink and black glitter gradient nail design :)