January (birth flower: carnation; birthstone: garnet)
1. Fade the background on a curve using Raspberry Crème, Bubble Gum, and Show Me Your Beads.
2. Double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) random combinations of Sweet Pea, Pansy, and Tourmaline. To form the carnation, place the first round of petals directly on the nail; remember to ruffle the outer edge of the petal. Continue to build the petals around and use your brush to pull up on the petals to give them dimension. If desired, you can build the petals on a form and attach them to the nail. Place the flower and bud.
3. Peridot and Emerald create the stem and leaves. Use deep red garnet colored rhinestones. Apply top coat.
February (birth flower: iris; birthstone: amethyst)
1. Fade the background diagonally using Italian Ice and Grand Parade, then Italian Ice again.
2. Build two iris background petals directly on the nail. Double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) using Petunia and Amethyst; make the petals curve out from the center. Using the same colors, build two petals curving downward from the center. Again using Petunia and Amethyst on a nail form build the center petal and a bottom petal, curve the form until the acrylic dries to create the definition. Apply to the nail.
3. Use Citrine for centers, and Peridot and Voodoo used for leaves. Apply amethyst colored rhinestones. Apply top coat.
March (birth flower: daffodil; birthstone: aquamarine)
1. Fade the background using Grand Parade, and Clear with Quartz Precious Gems.
2. Double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) using Citrine and Daffodil build the daffodils by pulling petals out from center of flower. To place the flower center, drop a drier ball of Daffodil, then with the sharp point of your brush push a hole into the center and pull up on the outside edge. Continue to do this until the acrylic dries and the center holds its shape.
3. Using Emerald and Peridot with Voodoo for depth create leaves. Apply aquamarine colored rhinestones. Apply top coat.
April (birth flower: daisy; birthstone: diamond)
1. Apply Amethyst for the background. Add Breakin the Bank down the center of the nail. Cap with clear. File and finish the nail.
2. Apply Competition White to create the daisy petals. Apply small dots of Citrine to create the flower centers. Wet brush Voodoo over the centers for depth and definition.
3. Double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) Emerald and Peridot to create the leaves.
4. Apply six clear rhinestones. Apply UV 30 and Never Yellow Sealer.
May (birth flower: lily of the valley; birthstone: emerald)
1. Blend Morning Glory, Aqua Marine, and Emerald randomly on the nail to create the background. Cap with clear. File and finish nail.
2. Use Emerald and Peridot to create two of the leaves on the nail. Create the third leaf on a form, then attach it to the nail. Use the same colors to create the stems. Use Voodoo to highlight the leaves.
3. Use Competition White and Lily of the Valley to create the flowers. After applying, use the tip of your brush pull the flower away from the nail to give it dimension.
4. Apply five emerald rhinestones. Apply UV 30 and Never Yellow Sealer.
June (birth flower: rose; birthstone: pearl)
1. Apply French Quarter for the background. Cap with clear. File and finish nail.
2. On a form, double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) Citrine and Amber to create the rose. Wrap petals around a center until you get the desired shape.
3. Use Emerald and Peridot to create the leaves and stems. Highlight stems and leaves using Voodoo.
4. Apply six pearls. Apply UV 30 and Never Yellow Sealer.
July (birth flower: larkspur; birthstone: ruby)
1. Create the background using Daffodil and Breakin’ the Bank. File and finish nail.
2. Double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) Morning Glory and Geranium to build the flower petals. Build a thin round of petals. When dry, stack the second round on top. Use Daffodil and Peridot to create flower centers. Use Peridot to create the stems.
3. Apply ruby rhinestones. Apply top coat.
August (birth flower: gladiolus; birthstone: peridot)
1. Apply Voodoo to the whole nail. Seal with clear acrylic. File and finish the surface of the nail.
2. Double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) Gladiolus and Pansy to create the flower petals. Stack layers of petals to build dimension in the flower. Use Peridot to create the stems. Use Citrine and Competition White to create the flower centers.
3. Apply Peridot-colored rhinestones. Apply top coat.
September (birth flower: aster; birthstone: sapphire)
1. Double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) Silver and Peridot to build leaves onto a clear nail. Cap with clear acrylic. File and finish the nail.
2. Using Amethyst, build the first round of flower petals. Let dry, then stack a second round using Amethyst and Petunia double dipped. Double dip Silver and Peridot to add more leaves. Apply Citrine dots to create the flowers centers.
3. Add sapphire rhinestones. Apply top coat.
November (birth flower: chrysanthemum; birthstone: topaz/citrine)
1. Fade Grape Soda, Blueberry Twist and Rock Candy diagonally across nail from corner to corner.
2. Double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) Water Lily and Gladiolus; place petals in a half circle on the lower left quadrant of the nail. Slightly overlap edges of the petals, building towards the corner of the nail. On the last row of petals double dip Water Lily and Citrine to build the center of the flower.
3. Add topaz-colored rhinestones. Apply top coat.
December (birth flower: poinsettia/holly; birthstone: blue topaz)
1. Fade the background using Sour Apple and Cocktail Time.
2. Use Ruby to create the petals. Use the flat side of your brush to draw lines in the petals. Using Truly White, brush over the lines so they are highlighted by the white. Double dip (using two colors on the brush at once) dots of Citrine and Truly White to build centers.
3. Double dip Emerald and Truly White for the leaves. Apply blue topaz-colored rhinestones. Apply top coat.
How’s this for special birthday nail art customized for each month? Michele Baker of Van Goe’s Salon and Day Spa in Cumming, Ga., is developing a year’s worth of nail art based on each month’s birth flower and birthstone to share with NAILS readers. All products listed are from EZ Flow Nail Systems’ Boogie Nights and Color Powder Collections. This gallery will be updated throughout the year.
Photography by Kelly Bracken
To view other embellished nail art designs, look at these other galleries:
Rhinestones Are a Girl’s Best Friend
Iron Techs: Creative Techs Work With What They’re Given
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