Mixed Patterns NailArt

Salut mes amis! There is nothing more fun and fresh for this season's nails than mixed patterns in complementary colors. A year ago, I would've thought of this trend as something outrageous and unwearable; however, today, I'm more than eager to experiment and play around with it! For my nail art du jour, I went with intricate patterns and prints, but kept it neutral in color to maximize its ready-to-wear factor. 

Read more for products, pix & deets!

My Tools & Medium!

POLISHES:

• Duri Rejuvacote Nail Growth System-- base/top coat -- the only one I ever use
• Brucci Nail Hardener in Elizabeth's a "Natural" -- base color -- mauve-y opaque beige
• Essie Summer Collection in Bikini So Teeny-- base color -- got this one as a reward from Klout. This true summer sky blue it's the prettiest color in the collection.
• Milani Jewel FX Nail Polish in Silver-- accent decoration -- chunky silver glitters
• Kiss Brush-On NailArt Paint in White -- accent decoration

SALLY HANSEN NAIL ART PENS in

• Silver-- used to create the "fishnet" pattern and accents
• Gold-- used to create the "leopard" pattern and accents
• Black-- used to accent the "fishnet" and "leopard" patterns

TOOLS:

• Fine tipped dotting tool (got this one at a 99¢ store) -- to dot on blue accents dots
• Mont Blue glass nail file -- used to perfect my squoval nail shape (I'm so happy to have my short nails back yaaayy!!!)

Left Hand Close-up

"FISHNET" Pattern How-To:

1. Start with your base coat and follow by one or two coats of your base color. Allow to fully dry.
2. Using a nail art pen (Sally Hansen in Silver), draw diagonal lines from one side to the other and repeat on the other side, completing the crossing pattern. TIP: To keep the lines as straight as possible, try drawing them in one single "confident" stroke. P. S. Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens make it really easy :)
3. Using a Black nail art pen, accent the "X's" where the lines meet with a black dot. This gives the pattern more contrast.
4. Using either a complementary nail polish on a dotting tool or another nail art pen, dot inside the diamond shape created by the X's.
5. Finish with a top coat.

"LEOPARD" Pattern How-To:

1. Start with your base coat and follow by one or two coats of your base color. Allow to fully dry.
2. Using a nail art pen (Sally Hansen in Gold), draw "C" shapes facing each other, also mixing in a few elongated shapes. These don't have to be perfect or precise.
3. Accent the insides of the "C" shapes using a Black nail art pen.
4. Finish with a top coat.

"ZEBRA" / "TEETH" Pattern How-To:

1. Start with your base coat and follow by one or two coats of your base color. Allow to fully dry.
2. Using a nail art polish or a fine brush, stroke the polish from the outer edge of the nail toward the center. Flick the brush at the center to create a fine edge.
3. Layer the strokes so they're not directly across one another. 
4. Optional: Accent the strokes with a nail art pen. Finish with a top coat.

Right Hand Close-up

TIP: Mix in simpler patterns like chevron french nails to give the overall design a more balanced look. Add chunky glitter or metallic accents for extra edge and glam. Don't be afraid to mix different metals!

Will you be wearing mixed patterns on your nails?

bisous,

Maryam Maquillage

♥

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Maryam Maquillage © 2012. www.maryammaquillage.com