Contributing nail artists:
Melisa Bruce, Salon Riviera, Redondo Beach, Calif.
Sherri Traweek, The Nail Asylum, Redlands, Calif.
Lorri Silvestre, Nail Candy By Lorri, Grover Beach, Calif.

Tools
The good news is you don’t need an entire arsenal of fancy tools to create cute nail art. All of the designs done here were made with different sized dotting tools (three or less) and a striper brush.


Slanted Color Block

Melisa Bruce

1. Using the nail polish brush, swipe on a coat of color at a diagonal angle. Choose a second color and fill in the remaining space on the nail, polishing at the same angle.

2.  Apply a second coat of each color.

3. Use a striping brush to apply glitter over the center line.

Once you are used to creating steady lines with the polish brush and striper brush you can color block in a trendier way, like the chevron print.  —Sherri Traweek

Once you are used to creating steady lines with the polish brush and striper brush you can color block in a trendier way, like the chevron print. —Sherri Traweek

 


Color Block With Stylus Dots

Melisa Bruce

1. Paint nail in desired color.

 

2. Paint over half the nail in a second color.

3. Use a dotting tool and make dots down the center.

If you want to challenge yourself, break the nail up by painting a V-tip and adding dots over those lines. A rhinestone in the center gives the nails a princess look.  —Sherri Traweek

If you want to challenge yourself, break the nail up by painting a V-tip and adding dots over those lines. A rhinestone in the center gives the nails a princess look. —Sherri Traweek

 


Dot Gradient


Melisa Bruce

1. Paint nail desired color.

2. Swipe another color of polish across the tip.

3. Using different sized dotting tools, dot one side of the nail in various colors.

An alternative way to do dots is by applying them at the tip only.  —Sherri Traweek

An alternative way to do dots is by applying them at the tip only. —Sherri Traweek

 

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Falling Confetti

Lorri Silvestre

1. Dot one side of the nail in one color.

2. Fill in space with different color dots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Add smaller dots in a third color.

4. Use a small dotting tool to place white in the center of some of the larger dots.

For a fun twist, dot different colors on a straight line until the entire nail is covered.  —Sherri Traweek

For a fun twist, dot different colors on a straight line until the entire nail is covered. —Sherri Traweek

 


Very Cherry

Lorri Silvestre

1. Use a striper brush to make a single stroke.

2. Add another stroke, connecting the two. Draw two leaves where the lines connect. You can make a leaf by combining two comma strokes and filling it in.

3. Add a dot at the bottom of each stem.

4. Dot the background and add white to the center of the cherries.

Use a dotting tool and red polish to create a lady bug. Make the antennae with a comma stroke, using the striper brush.  —Sherri Traweek

Use a dotting tool and red polish to create a lady bug. Make the antennae with a comma stroke, using the striper brush. —Sherri Traweek

 


Branching Out

Lorri Silvestre

1. Create a slight wavy line with your striper brush.

2. Add more lines to form different sized branches.

3. Use a small dotting tool to form flowers. Three dots equal one flower.

4. Apply a white dot to the center of each flower.

For a more advanced method, make leaves off the branch. Use a striper brush to form long petals and add a dot in the center.  —Sherri Traweek

For a more advanced method, make leaves off the branch. Use a striper brush to form long petals and add a dot in the center. —Sherri Traweek

 


Easy-to-Do Diamonds

Lorri Silvestre

1. Use the polish brush to paint a line down the center of the nail.

2. Add two more lines on either side of the first one. When dry, swipe a different color across the center.

3. Add two more bars across the nail.

4. Use a striper brush to paint lines across the nail diagonally. Cross over with more lines to form diamond pattern.

An alternative to an argyle-style print is creating the diamond design at the tip only. Use a striper brush to add a half circle and scales above the diamond design. Outline with dots to complete the look.  —Sherri Traweek

An alternative to an argyle-style print is creating the diamond design at the tip only. Use a striper brush to add a half circle and scales above the diamond design. Outline with dots to complete the look. —Sherri Traweek

 

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