It’s easy to express yourself through your clothing, hairstyle, and makeup but have you forgotten about your nails? This summer, nail art has become one of the best forms of self-expression and lately it’s all about texture. Pixilated and three-dimensional looks can effortlessly be achieved using glittered or holographic nail polish as well as nail beads and decals. Additionally, many companies have been releasing textured polishes, with finishes such as “sand,” “feather,” “fuzzy,” “concrete,” and “velvet,” that create a bold texture for those who are prepared to dive right into this summer trend.
Not quite ready for nails that elaborate? Go ombré! Ombré nails are a simplified way to get a three dimensional look without being too literal. To get this look, you’ll need 2 colors of nail polish, a topcoat, a makeup sponge, a piece of plastic wrap, a toothpick, and a flat surface. Start by applying one coat of the lighter polish and letting it dry. Then, on a flat surface, lay down your plastic wrap and apply a generous amount of the two polishes right next to each other so they’re touching at the edges. Next, use the toothpick to gently swirl the polishes together where they meet. The amount you swirl is up to you; the more you mix, the more gradual the ombré will be! Finally, take the makeup sponge and dab it directly down on the polish a few times. Now, dab the sponge onto your nails in an up and down motion in order to avoid smudging. Gradually move towards the end of your nail, which is where the darkest color will be. Repeat this as many times as necessary on all of your nails until you’re satisfied with how your ombré looks. If you’re feeling adventurous, try doing an ombré towards the moons of your nails. Apply a topcoat and you’re ready to take on the summer!