1. Prep nail for gel-polish application, add base coat, and cure. Paint nail with two coats of an ivory gel-polish, curing after each coat. Add dots of navy blue gel-polish with a small dotting tool. Cure.


2. Paint the body and tentacles of your octopus with navy blue gel-polish and a small detail brush. Give each tentacle a curl at the end, and cure. Using a semi-sheer periwinkle gel-polish, add four more tentacles in the background. With bright white gel-polish and a large dotting tool, add two large eyes, then add two small eyelashes with your detail brush. Cure.


3. Add final details including navy blue pupils to the eyes with a large dotting tool, and rows of white suckers down the tentacles with a small dotting tool. Cure. Finish with matte gel top coat, cure, and wipe away the inhibition layer.

Nails by Danielle Lubin, Metuchen, N.J. @10thstorynails

Want to see your nail art how-to here? Email sigourney.nunez@bobit.com

You can also mail your tips (one for each step) and written instructions to Sigourney Nuñez, NAILS Magazine, 3520 Challenger St., Torrance, CA 90503. Make sure to include your name, salon name (if applicable), city, state, and contact information. When mailing us tips for Nail Art Studio, please mail them in a padded envelope or box to keep the nail tips fully intact in transit.

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