Want to make a fun statement with your nails? Try making your own polish applique strips. They’re an easy way to get a perfect manicure every time and make it easy to replicate patterns or pictures on your nails. An added bonus? You don’t have to worry about dry time or messy, wet nails.
Materials and tools:
- Base coat
- Top coat
- A few colors of nail polish
- Nail polish remover
- Nail file
- Plastic bag
Directions
Step 1: Paint
Paint 10 small rectangles on a plastic bag. Make sure the size of the rectangles will cover your nails. Wait 5 minutes, and apply a second coat.
Step 2: Start designing
Here is where you can add whatever nail art design you’d like to your nail stickers. For this look, I’ve chosen to go for an abstract splatter look. This is simply done by splattering some polish over the nail appliques.
Step 3: Make sure you wait between layers
Let the polish dry between layers. Next, I splashed on some black and gray nail polish to finish off the look. Depending on how many coats of polish you’ve used, wait about 1 to 2 hours for the polish to fully dry.
Step 4: Peel
It’s important that your nail appliques are completely dry for this step. Carefully peel them off the plastic bag with tweezers.
Step 5: Base coat
Apply a base coat to your clean, polish-free nail.
Step 6: Apply your appliques
Before the base coat is dry, press on your new nail applique.
Step 7: File and shape
Trim off the excess parts of the applique with scissors and a file.
Step 8: Finish with a top coat
Once your nail applique has been applied, finish off with a single coat of top coat. Make sure you wrap the brush over the edges to secure the applique in place.
More nail ideas
A Popsicle-inspired nail design
Plumage nail art: 2 Feather-inspired designs
The ultimate nail art guide
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