The radiant opal gemstone is making a comeback in a big way, but this time it’s landed on the tips of fingers. The opal nail art trend is a sort of spinoff of the shattered nail look, but it has a lot more dimension.
As you can see in this photo, the look is much more iridescent and, like opals, appears to create rainbows anytime it catches light.
Long opals
You can pick any base coat colors you like. This pinky red tone really picks up the cellophane shimmer.
Ombré
Like shattered glass nails, you’ve got those shiny, cellophane strips making the magic happen.
Press on
This particular shattered opal nail look is a bit tricky to do yourself but not impossible. First, you blot-paint your nails in various pastel colors, starting with a white base. Then you put on a topcoat, and while it’s still tacky, you adhere pieces of iridescent cellophane you can cut any which way to fit your nails.
Then apply another layer of topcoat, and let dry. The cellophane will pick up the underlying colors and make them shimmer when your nails catch the light.
White opal
Of course, the pearly white look is classic, especially for spring.
Easy version
There are nail polishes available with iridescent flakes in them if you don’t want to go the cellophane route.
Sparkly
You can do so many fun accents with opal, because every color goes well with it.
Marble
This smoky gray opal is hard to not love.
Perfect match
It’s surprising how much the nails start to look like the precious stone.
Black Opal
The rare black opal really stands out, if you’re bold enough to try it.
Gems on gems
And of course, layering gems on opal nails is the best way to take it up another notch.
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