This photo of Rihanna’s happy/sad face nails was all over the gossip rags and beauty publications after London’s Jingle Ball last month. And the consensus was that the nails Jingle Bell rocked.

Proof was in the pages of OK! Magazine, who had asked readers if the star’s nails made them happy or sad. A whopping 59% of them said they were happy with them. And when Glamour posted this picture of her nails as a Do/Don’t question on its website, 10 of their 17 comments gave her nails the total thumbs up.

Of course it’s no surprise then, that some clients may be asking you to give them the same bright look.

Here, nail artist Kathleen M. M. Ringwood-Wood explains how to get those nails (and your clients) smiling:

For the Base

Polish the nails with two coats of yellow polish. Two to try are CND Hot Pop Yellow and China Glaze Celtic Sun.

The Eyes Have It

Because the eyes on the "traditional" smiley face are larger than the ends of normal "dotter" tools here are two methods you can try for the same effect:

1. Put the handle end of your brush into black paint, dipping it straight in, not at an angle. This will put the paint on the end of the brush with an even amount. Avoid dipping the end in too far, which causes you to pick up too much paint, resulting in "bumps" for eyes. Place the brush vertically on the nail to create the two eyes.

OR

2. Use the bristle end, picking up the black paint. Then place the end on the nail at a 45-degree angle, this should create an oval for the eyes.

Smile Lines

For the mouth, using the same black paint and a fine pointed brush (0 or 00) place two small dots, as guide dots on the nail.  Place them below the eyes, but wider apart than the eyes are set.

Making sure your brush tip is at a fine point, connect the dots using a curved line. 

Finishing Touches

After you are sure the paint — especially on the eyes — is dry, cover nails with top coat, making sure you bring it down to seal the ends. After waiting about one minute, spray them with CND’s Solar Speed Spray.