DIY manicures using household items…

Guest blogger, Londonite, & THS resident beauty expert Becki Maines is here with some much needed nail inspiration and direction….

A couple of years ago, the “accent” or “party” nail took the manicure world by storm.  If you are anything like me, you probably appreciated the fact that the time had come when you were able to incorporate, not one, but TWO nail colors into your mani without people thinking you were insane or colorblind.

I recently started playing around with different types of party nails and have provided details instructions here so that you can 1) save some money at the salon, and 2) utilize some basic household items to create a unique look!  After all, our hands can serve as amazing accessories and what better way to compliment your new, amazing Hunt Shop outfit!?

First Look: Polka Dots

What you will need: A few different colors of nail polish, toothpicks, scrap paper (or paper towel)

Directions: Paint nails with colors of your choosing…painting one nail a slightly different (preferably lighter) color.  Let dry. Dab a generous amount of other colors onto your paper and gently dip the end of the toothpick in the color dab and lightly dot your nail.  You can use as many colors as you want, and the placement of the polka dots is completely up to you! I have used both ends of the toothpick to create slightly different sized dots and have placed them in the lower right quadrant of my nail (see photos and finished mani).

Second Look: “The Gritty Mani”

What you will need: Nail color, clear nail polish, sugar

Directions: Paint your party nail (I used ring finger) with a thick coat of clear polish, and while still wet/tacky, pinch some sugar onto your nail. This may take a few pinches to ensure the nails is adequately covered.  Let this sit and dry for a few minutes.  You can then lightly blow or brush off the excess sugar that has gathered around your cuticles. Then, proceed to paint your nails with your desired color and, bam!, a textured, edgy mani reveals itself (see picture).

Third Look: Marble Mani

What you will need: Two nail polish colors, toothpick, a steady hand

Directions: You will loosen each nail color’s top, so they are ready to go.  Then you will paint one half of your nail (length-wise) with one color and immediately paint the other half with the other. *It’s OK if they bleed into one another just a bit, but try and keep them as separate as possible* While still wet, take your toothpick and, starting at the base of your nail, gently make three to four circular motions right in the middle of your nail where the colors intersect.  You will essentially be drawing a “corkscrew” of sorts and will end at the tip of your nail.  Leave ample time to dry and perhaps finish with a top coat. This is a very easy way to create an impressive look.

Fourth Look: Ombre mani!

What you will need: Three to four nail colors (ideally different shades of the same color), an old sponge, scissors, Q-tip, nail polish remover

Directions: Cut a small, square piece of sponge.  It should basically be just a little bigger than then size of your nail, but not so small that you can’t easily hold it with two fingers. Loosen all the tops of your nail colors, and paint one side of the sponge with a thick line using a generous amount of each color starting with the lightest and moving towards the darkest. Then gently dab the colored sponge piece onto your party nail.  You may need to dab around a few times to ensure the whole nail has color on it.  Don’t worry if you feel you are being a bit sloppy along the way.  This is a natural ombre look and the finished product shouldn’t have “perfect” lines,  It should look blended and organic.  Let the nail dry completely.  Dip the end of your Q-tip into some nail polish remover and swipe away any color from your cuticles.  Finish with a top coat.

Fifth Look: Edgy tips!

What you will need: Two colors of polish, scotch tape

Directions: There are several ways that you can use tape to create a fun play on the traditional French manicure.  Paint your party nail with the first color (preferably the lighter one first) and let the nail dry completely.  Then place a piece of tape diagonally across your nail and press down.  Paint the exposed part of your nail with the other color and, again, let dry.  Peel off the tape, and you will see a perfect separation of color in the design of your choosing.  I have used the tape slight differently to create completely separate looks.

Hope you have enjoyed this tutorial and can start to turn some of your mundane, household items into your personal beauty tools.  Make sure to prepare yourself for loads of compliments from your coworkers and friends and maybe break out your favorite cocktail ring to help show off your new mani! Stay tuned for more beauty/accessorizing tips in the near future!