Raise
your hand if you’ve been counting down the days to summer. Keep ’em up if it’s
been since Labor Day. If your hand is still in the air, you’re probably like
me, waiting all year to see the waves crash in front of a hazy sunrise (or
sunset, depending on your coast). But before you pick up your boogie boards or
surfboards, dust off your emery board and sport this Memorial Day mani to kick
off the sunny season.
Polishes and tools
NailTek
for base and cover coat
Sally
Hansen Insta-Dri in Whirlwind White (Note: I used this as a background color,
but you can use a different color)
Wet
‘n’ Wild in Sunny Side Up
Sally
Hansen in Mellow Yellow
Sally
Hansen Insta-Dri in Mint Spring
Sally
Hansen Insta-Dri in Co-Bolt Blue
Cosmetic
sponges cut to the shape of your thumbnail
Thin
paintbrush or nail art pen in preferred colors
Instructions
1. After painting a clear coat, paint your background color. Let dry.
2. Generously (and I do mean generously) paint polish on the sponge in the
order of your preference.
Tip: It helps to have each color bottle of polish
already open, since the sponges soak up the polish so quickly.
3. Dab the sponge on the nails.
Tip:
If you prefer a less sheer look, let it dry before you reapply the polish with
your sponge. Don’t go overboard, or else the sticky sponge
will pull off your tacky polish. The not-so pretty proof, shown by my middle fingernail:
4. With your thin paint brush or nail pen, draw C-shaped waves at the tip of
your nails, like on my ring fingernail. Practice on scrap paper first to get the feel. It’s kinda like
making a bunch of cursive C’s in a row. You do remember how to do cursive,
right?
5. Fill in and round out the waves. Let dry.
6. Outline the crests of the waves with a darker color. Let dry.
7. Clean up any messes, cover with a clear coat and voilà!
Are you headed to the beach this summer? Blog it out,
babes.
BY KARMEN FOX ON 5/24/2012 12:00:00 PM
POSTED IN beauty, how to, tips, nails, summer, diy mani