The color combinations for our jungle friends are definitely untraditional, but nails are the perfect place to dream up multi-hued animal prints. (As seen in NAILS Magazine September 2012.)

Elsbeth’s Top 12 Tips for Animal Prints

1. Leopard prints can be done with a fine brush or a dotting tool.
2. When painting leopard prints imagine uneven “U”s and “O”s and spots — it’s actually perfect if your hands are jittery from too much coffee.
3. Do a marble design first, then randomly paint your animal print on different sections of the nail plate.
4. Consider doing the print on only a portion of the nail. For instance you might just paint the free edge or the moon area with the animal print of your choice.
5. Tiger and zebra prints are very similar. Zebra stripes are smooth, straight, and tightly applied. Tiger prints are not as tightly packed and a bit more crazy and zig-zag.
6. Giraffe prints look great using a white base and silver or gold polish for the design. Or you can create a fantasy giraffe in black and blue.
7. Be bold and paint one accent nail with the animal’s eye or face.
8. Kids love pink and purple zebras (and it’s a cool fast design for a kid’s birthday party).
9. Do a gradient look with neon colors first then paint the animal print on top.
10. Top coat needs to be applied in fast strokes or you will smear the animal print.
11. For a unique look, try combining more than one animal print (like we did on the cover).
12. Single ladies: animal prints on toes will get the guys’ attention. Raarrrrh.

ZESTY ZEBRA

On the nails: Cuccio Russian Opulence, Orly Rapture, China Glaze Kalahari Kiss

Left: SpaRitual Cassiterite, OPI Every Month Is Oktoberfest
Middle: Bio Sculpture Love Potion, Dare to Wear Fools Gold
Right: OPI Don’t Talk Bach to Me, MK Salsa

Next page: Leopard and Giraffe prints

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LANGUID LEOPARD

On the nails: OPI My Very First Knockwurst, Essie Recessionista, LCN London Glam

Left: Misa Live Without Knowing, Orly Glow
Middle: CND Plumville, Dazzle Dry Portia’s Wit
Right: Jessica Champagne Bubbles, Seche Opulent, Seche Contemporary

GENTLE GIRAFFE

On the nails: China Glaze Jungle Queen, Nailite Raisin Hell, Misa Taking Chances

Left: China Glaze Desert Sun, Orly Flicker, China Glaze Jungle Queen
Middle: OPI Schnapps Out of It!, MK Jamaica Reggae
Right: Misa Break Away, Dazzle Dry Katherine’s Crown

Next page: Peacock and Tiger prints

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PROUD PEACOCK

On the nails: Jessica Pumpkin Delight, Cuccio On the Nile Blue, LCN Green Emerald, China Glaze Elephant Walk

Left: China Glaze Elephant Walk, LCN Blue Sapphire, China Glaze Call of the Wild
Middle: Seche Portobello, CND Midnight Sapphire, Jessica Gingersnap
Right: Bio Sculpture Indecent Proposal, Jessica Brown Sugar, China Glaze Man Hunt

TEMPTING TIGER

On the nails: Orly Ignite, Seche Nouveau, CND Silver Chrome

Left: SpaRitual Conglomerate, China Glaze Adventure Red-y, MK Platinum
Middle: Essie Head Mistress, Dazzle Dry Joan’s Armor, SpaRitual Marble
Right: Cuccio Oh My Prague, LCN Ruby Red

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