Nail Makeup

Nail art

Simple nail designs, step by step

Three beginner designs that need only household tools and a steady hand. Each strip shows one nail per step, so you can check your work as you go.

Before you start

Every design here sits on a finished base: prepped nails, base coat and color that has had time to set. If you have not painted a plain manicure yet, start with the polish guide. Practice a design on one nail, or on a piece of paper or plastic, before you do all ten.

Three designs

Polka dots

Oval shapeAbout 40 minutes with drying

  1. Base coatThin, and let it set for a minute.

  2. BackgroundTwo thin coats of nude pink.

  3. First dotsDip the tool, then touch it down straight.

  4. Fill inRe-dip for every dot or two so they match.

  5. Top coatWait until the dots are dry, then float it on.

You need: Base coat, a background color, a contrast color, a dotting tool or the round head of a pin, top coat.

Single pinstripe

Square shapeAbout 35 minutes with drying

  1. Base coatOne thin layer.

  2. First coatBlack goes on thin and patchy at first.

  3. Second coatFull, even black. Let it dry well.

  4. StripeOne steady pull from cuticle to tip.

  5. Top coatA light coat so the stripe does not drag.

You need: Base coat, a background color, a thin striping brush or a short piece of tape, a contrast color, top coat.

Sponge gradient

Almond shapeAbout 45 minutes with cleanup

  1. Base coatProtects the nail before the sponge layers.

  2. Light colorTwo coats of the lighter shade all over.

  3. Sponge onDab the two colors on the sponge, then press.

  4. Clean upPeel the barrier, then tidy the skin.

  5. Top coatSmooths the texture and blends the fade.

You need: Base coat, two colors, a small piece of makeup sponge, a plastic surface to mix on, tape or a peel-off barrier, top coat.

Tips for dots

  • No dotting tool? The round head of a pin, the end of a bobby pin or the blunt end of a toothpick all work.
  • Put a small drop of polish on foil or a plastic lid and dip into that, not into the bottle.
  • Re-dip every dot or two. Dots shrink as the tool runs dry.
  • Touch the tool straight down and lift straight up. Dragging makes tails.

Tips for stripes

  • Wipe most of the polish off a thin brush. A loaded brush makes a fat, uneven line.
  • Rest your painting hand on the table and pull the stripe in one steady stroke.
  • For a straighter line, lay a thin strip of tape on fully dry polish, paint along its edge, and peel it off while the stripe is still wet.
  • Press tape lightly, since firm tape can lift the color underneath.

Tips for a sponge gradient

  • Paint two short stripes of color side by side on a plastic lid, then press a small piece of sponge into them.
  • Dab the sponge on the nail with light presses, rocking it slightly where the colors meet.
  • Two or three light layers look smoother than one heavy one.
  • Protect the skin first with tape or a peel-off barrier, because sponging is messy. Clean up the rest with a brush and remover.
  • The sponge leaves a slight texture. A top coat smooths it.

Choosing colors

High contrast is easiest to see and forgives small wobbles, which is why the drawings use black on nude, red on black and red over nude. Two shades of the same color give a softer look but show uneven edges more. Start bold, then try softer pairs once your lines are steady.

For French tips and half moons, see French tips and half moons.