I fell in love with gradient manis last year, when photos of Lauren Conrad sporting them started popping up all over the style interwebs. The good news: you don’t need five different bottles of polish to pull this look off. Keep reading for a simple how-to!
You’ll need:
– one nail polish in the color of your choice (I used O.P.I.’s Malaga Wine)
– white nail polish (I picked up a little bottle of nail art polish for $1.99 at the drugstore)
– a good base/top coat
– nail polish remover
– a clean polish brush (use one from an old bottle of polish or a sample, and clean with nail polish remover)
– a small orange stick or toothpick
– parchment paper
Step 1: Start with clean nails, and a thin coat of base. When the base is dry, paint both of your thumb nails with the original color.
Step 2: Drop a few large drops of the original color onto parchment paper…
… And slowly add drops of white polish until you reach your desired gradient effect. The first color you make will be the color for your pointer fingers. For a more subtle gradient, use less white; for a more drastic gradient, add more white.
Step 3: Using a small orange stick or toothpick, carefully mix the white into the original color. Do this gently, or you’ll get a lot of air bubbles in the polish.
Step 4: Using a clean polish brush (I used one from an old sample bottle of O.P.I. top coat, and cleaned it with nail polish remover before I got started) apply the new color to both of your pointer fingers. While they dry, soak the polish brush in a capful of nail polish remover to remove the color and get it clean and ready for the next finger.
Repeat steps 2-4 three more times for each set of fingers (left and right), adding more white each time to make lighter and lighter shades. Seal the entire manicure with a good top coat.
![Today I joined @shannatrudell in downtown Lakeland after she finished a wedding setup at @thesommerbuilding. We explored all the cute shops, sniffed everything at @rafanatural, swooned over @scoutandtag’s beautiful vignettes, petted lots of dogs, and cruised through the farmer’s market (well, just the plant vendors). While we were there, I officially fell in love with the @topbuttons boutique: you can shop a curated selection of new pieces, or browse the [amazingly organized] secondhand section; and your purchase helps empower local women and girls through a variety of @topbuttons’ civic partnerships. Shopping for great style that gives back? Count me in! #shoplocal #downtownlakeland #boutique #topbuttons](http://scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/cfa60fed51ff29ef10b30451ca051797/5D97B732/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.180.1440.1440a/s640x640/61348110_146176069880641_2841700013710938309_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-sjc3-1.cdninstagram.com "Today I joined @shannatrudell in downtown Lakeland after she finished a wedding setup at @thesommerbuilding. We explored all the cute shops, sniffed everything at @rafanatural, swooned over @scoutandtag’s beautiful vignettes, petted lots of dogs, and cruised through the farmer’s market (well, just the plant vendors). While we were there, I officially fell in love with the @topbuttons boutique: you can shop a curated selection of new pieces, or browse the [amazingly organized] secondhand section; and your purchase helps empower local women and girls through a variety of @topbuttons’ civic partnerships. Shopping for great style that gives back? Count me in! #shoplocal #downtownlakeland #boutique #topbuttons")
Oh I really like it! What a great idea!! :)
I like the pics with the tutorial. Very cool. If you have more to share, we’d love to see what you have to show us about nails at Taaz.com.
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What a fantastic idea! I like the subtley of it. I don’t paint my nails often, but I might try this on my toenails!
So cute! Gonna try it this weekend :-)
Very cool! I love this and will definitely have to try it sometime soon!
So cool ! I loved your idea !
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Xoxo from Japan
awesome tutorial. such a fun, versatile look!
Cute and Creative !
xoxo
http://www.typefashion.wordpress.com
Ahh, I always wondered how to do this without getting several very similar colors! Such a great tutorial, thanks for sharing!!
xx Melina
This idea is so creative but so easy! Love it!
I really like this, so different but still classy!
Love this! Great idea. Looks lovely.
Such a cute idea, will have to try this!!
This is fantastic! I will be giving this a go, thanks!
Looks cute! Nice twist from the usual all red or pink, but still subtle!
Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries