|
Quick and Easy Designs for Stylish Nails
by Kathryn D'Imperio
Whether you have a hot date or a job interview, a wedding or
a casual night out at the bar, get creative and try some new
styles for your nail painting needs. Follow the following quick
and easy tips to achieve a glamorous look in only minutes!
Basic Hues:
Perhaps the simplest style of them all is the basic solid
color manicure. For open-toed shoes, be sure to apply a coat of
the same color to your tootsies to accent your outfit and make
you feel even more stylish and sexy. Basic styles in neutral and
mild tones work very well for first impressions. Save the black
and silver for future engagements.
Choose a color that complements the clothing you intend to
wear. If the outfit is patterned, pick a shade that appears
within the design a bit less than the other colors and use that
same shade of nail polish to emphasize that hue.
For an even more fashionable look, do your nails in the solid
color and allow them to dry completely. When they are finished
drying, use a thin brush or a toothpick with a different color
and trace a diagonal line going the same way on each nail. Try
to make them as uniform as possible, and as you become more and
more adept at painting extra designs, create your own styles for
fun.
School Spirited:
If you are still in school or attending college, an
exclamation of school pride would wear well on your nails by
painting them in your school colors. You can do this in one of
many ways:
-
Alternate the colors by painting each nail entirely with
one color and doing the next nail in the next school color.
For example, if your school colors are blue and white, start
with blue on your thumbnail, white on your index finger,
blue on your middle finger, and so forth.
-
Paint the nails all the same solid color, and once
completely dry, paint the tips the other school color.
-
Paint all nails one color, and using a toothpick or very
thin brush, sketch a phrase or “GO (mascot or school
name)!” on your fingernails if it fits.
-
Get creative and make up your own… draw swirls, try to
paint your school mascot, etc.
A Girl’s Night Out Styles:
Attract some attention with a wild and crazy style – be it
zebra stripes, metallic glints or otherwise. Perfect for a night
to the clubs or a date out on the town.
Do a quick version of a French manicure by painting the base
coat of your nails in a neutral tone, such as a salmon color.
With a white hue, once dry, paint the tips of your nails
carefully and as uniformly as possible. This works best if you
are able to grow your nails out a bit so you can use your
natural nails’ anatomy as a guide.
Glitter and glamour – Choose a base color to use on all of
your nails to complement your outfit. Allow that coat to dry –
paint another coat if necessary. Once the nails are
smudge-proof, take a glass coat of clear gloss or a sparkle coat
that matches the chosen color and add your own special touches.
Dark blue and black look very nice with silver glitter, red with
gold glitter, though the combination possibilities are endless.
These glittery styles may complement wedding apparel,
semi-formalwear and even casual attire.
To save even more time, apply a clear coat to your nails each
day to protect the polish from chipping. Experiment with decals
and nail transfers if you are not up for designing your own
artistic themes. Be creative, do not get discouraged and
remember, the more practice you get, the easier it will become
each time you try a new style!
|
