Easy Striped Nail Art

My latest Julep Maven Box arrived a couple weeks ago, and I fell in love with the two nail polish colors that I received: Tamara, a lipstick red, and Lorenzana, a taupey-gray. Both colors look great on their own, as well as together.

I decided to experiment a little and combined the two colors for some easy striped nail art.

This is about as simple as nail art can get. So even if you are nail polish-challenged like me, I’m confident that you can do it.

I have lots of polish, so I decided to use some other colors, too. Are you ready to get started?

Here’s what you’ll need:

• base coat
• top coat
• neutral nail polish
• 1 or more shades of nail polish for the stripes
• manicure clean up pen and/or orange stick
• tape

Left to right: Color Club Hot Tropics, Ruffian Fox Hunt, Julep Tamara, Essie Sunday Funday, Essie Tart Deco, Color Club Reign in Spain (part of a set), Piggy Polish All That Glitters; Front: Julep Lorenzana

I test a number of colors on a piece of white paper, so I could see what worked best together. I chose to use five different colors for my stripes, but this manicure would look just as pretty with one color.

Start by covering your nails with your base coat (I love Orly Bonder) and then paint your nails with a couple coats of your neutral color. The polish should completely cover your nails. Use your nail polish clean up pen or orange stick to fix any mistakes, and then wait for your nails to dry before starting on the next step.

I’m impatient, so I added a coat of Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat to speed the drying process up.Once your nails are dry, add two strips of tape to each nail, leaving a narrow gap open between the strips. I used painter’s tape, but transparent tape (the kind used for wrapping gifts) would also work.

Note: I went a little crazy with the tape! You just need enough to cover your nails.

Choose one of your stripe colors and paint a thin layer right over the tape. Remove the tape and admire your stripe.

Repeat this process on your remaining nails. Finish your manicure by adding a top coat.

That’s it! I have to admit that I was pretty impressed with myself when I finished this easy striped nail art. Give it a try … it’s such a subtle way to add a little extra fun to your manicure!

Have you ever attempted nail art?