Disclaimer - I'm not an artist and just taught myself how to do this, so I'm still a long way from getting this technique to look "pretty".
After receiving two requests for more info on how to do this. I decided to show the process I followed in pictures. Here is the end result...
1. Gather supplies: My desired colors (I used all Sally Hansen - Denim Creme, Pacific Blue, and White Tip), a brush with thin bristles, a bit of acetone to clean my brush when needed, and a napkin for the same purpose.
2.Paint your first coat of the desired color (on all nails).
3. Paint a second coat (on one nail at a time).
4. Quickly, while polish is still wet, add a line or shape in your second color. Apply this step and the next like you put on topcoat when trying to prevent smearing of colors - gently roll a drop on without actually touching your polish brush to the nail.
5. Add your next color over the second, or to the side, or intersecting - depending on what you want.
6. Use the brush to gently feather out the wet polish from the middle. Clean brush as needed.
7. This step is optional. I did this because I realized I added more white than I wanted to. Using the brush, zigzag or swirl down the middle of your pattern to mix the colors a little more.
8. Now move on to the next nail and repeat steps 3 (adding second coat) through 6 or 7 on the rest of your nails. Finish off with a quick dry topcoat (you'll need it bc this can get pretty thick), applying it thickly and gently to avoid streaking.
This is such a versatile way to add color to your mani:
- You may or may not need the first coat of color - depending on how light you are with the brush while feathering.
- You can use just two colors if you prefer (i.e. use the base color again instead of the white in the middle).
- You can do just tips, blobs/dots of color instead of lines - anything! Feather from the inside out, outside in, or in swirls.
- Use a shimmer as one of your colors to add some bling.
- Work on patterns that could resemble flowers or water marble patterns, or FRACTALS!
Have fun!I hope this helps those who wanted the info.
(I do have to say, having some nail tips handy helped as I wouldn't have had the patience to try this out on my nails. Being able to play with tips means my mani is not affected and I don't have to worry about taking the polish off when I'm done playing.)
