By Trilby Goouch
Blogs Editor

I’ve always found the concept of patterned nails to be a little daunting. Creating a faux-argyle print on the small surface of my pinky nail seemed like a tedious way to spend my evenings. My nail art was pretty simplistic until I came across the simple reverse-French manicure in Vogue the other day, which got me researching other ways to put a spin on my average manicure. Turns out DIY nail art isn’t as hard as I thought; who knew you could get an ombre nail with the aid of a kitchen sponge? Make sure you use a clear topcoat to seal the designs at the end. These tricks are perfect for a girls’ night in.

Tie-dye
Take a bowl of water and add a few droplets of a couple nail polish shades of choice. When the colours have floated to the surface, swirl with a toothpick to create a tie-dye effect; submerse each nail into the water, remove and allow them to dry completely.

Source: weheartit.com

Rainbow French Mani
Start with a white/neutral base coat. Gather your favourite bright colours and, some toothpicks and line the edge of your nail with small, even-spaced dots.

Reverse French Mani
Paint your nails with a base colour of choice. Using a separate shade, create a half-moon shaped arc by dragging the brush along the bed of your nail with a separate shade, or tape your nail if you don’t have a steady hand.

Source: urbangirlmag.wordpress.com

Gradient
Take a kitchen or makeup sponge and cut out a piece the size of your biggest nail. Paint your nail with two different coloured horizontal stripes. Lie your hand flat and press the sponge directly onto your nail. Pat the sponge a few times to help blend the colours.

Source: layniefingers.blogspot.ca

Feathered
Paint your nails with a base colour of choice; take a toothpick and some black nail polish and draw a thin black line down the centre of your nail. Continue to draw wispy lines, creating a feather-like outline.

Source: weheartit.com

Splattered
Paint nails with a white base. When dry, paint small dots of coloured polish onto one corner of the nail. Spread these coloured polish dots outward with a toothpick.

Source:pinterest.com

Try one of these designs out! Send us a photo and we’ll feature it on our Facebook page, Queen’s Journal Blogs.