Saturday, January 7, 2012

Watercolor Nails

Yesterday afternoon, I set up a poll on the Chalkboard Nails Facebook page to have you guys help choose my manicure. But it was a secret! I only offered options A and B, and then in my head I knew which manicure corresponded to which. This was the winning choice!


I originally saw this technique when Rebecca showed me this video tutorial from Beautygeeks on how to achieve it. Check out Rebecca's interpretation of the design, I love the neons!


It is a surprisingly easy look to achieve. I would recommend watching the Beautygeeks video to see it done "in action," but I'll also do a quick run down of the process for you. Rebecca also has a tutorial on her post about this technique.

  1. Paint your nails a base color. Top that with two coats of topcoat to make sure that when you use acetone to make the watercolored look later, your base doesn't get ruined.
  2. Pick out your first color. Place a couple small dots of it on your nail, in random locations.
  3. Take a medium sized brush (I used a makeup brush, but a watercolor brush would work well here) and dip it in acetone. You don't need a lot of acetone, but you don't want your brush to only be damp, either.
  4. Dab your acetone-d brush onto the small dots of polish. Continue to dab the brush around to achieve the watercolor look that you like.
  5. Repeat with 2-3 more colors.
  6. Topcoat again!


For my color palette, I chose:

OPI Skull and Glossbones (base)
China Glaze Heli-yum
China Glaze Happy Go Lucky
OPI Ogre the Top Blue
OPI Funky Dunkey

That is also the order that I applied the colors in.


This is a really really cool look, guys. Especially in person!! It's unique and I can guarantee you will get a lot of people asking you about it and being interested in what your nails have got goin' on.


I hope you enjoyed this design and I also hope you give it a shot yourself! I promise it is quite simple to achieve! :)

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52 comments

  1. This looks STUNNING! I love the colors and it looks so perfect!

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  2. wow, I like it a lot.

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  3. I like this really much and those colors fit perfectly together!

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  4. That's very pretty! I wanna try this out soon! ^_^

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  5. isn't this FREAKING AWESOME ? i've had this on my "to do" list ever since Rebecca showed it ... really must get round to it! love xxx

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  6. easier than the splatter mani..and not as messy

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  7. This is a very original look, and I really like how it turned out :) I wouldn't try it myself because I'm sure I would do a mess :P

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  8. I'm going to have to try this soon! :-)

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  9. At a hard look, it looks like the rounds are floating! And I like that your base seems darker than just plain white like the other gals did. Wonder if a black base and neons would work for this? Great job! I'll be trying it soon!

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  10. I really like this design! Such a great idea and it seems like it would be easy to accomplish!

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  11. this looks amazing, I need to try it!

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  12. I love it! I have to try it, for sure!

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  13. i love the overall look! so pretty!

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  14. Ooh, this is really cool! I'm going to give this a try tomorrow, since I just pulled out Skull & Glossbones to use anyway. I hope it comes out as neat as yours!

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  15. oh wow! this is super awesome!

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  16. This looks awesome. Definitely will be giving this a try.

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  17. Beautiful nails .. :)

    http://cassiakizzy.blogspot.com/2012/01/contribuicao-unhas-com-melancias.html

    Kisses ..
    =*

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  18. Wow... Very impressive! ♥ this manicure!

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  19. so pretty and artistic! I'm definitely going to try this out one day! :D

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  20. Wow it looks so good! Definitely will have to try this out sometime! I really love the colour combination as well :)

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  21. I made this a while a go, loads of fun! Love your take on it!

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  22. I love the colors you chose! It's looks very nice. :D

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  23. does it need to be pure acetone or would regular nail polish remover work? I want to try this!

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  24. looks so beautiful just like a pretty painting, I really like it and wanna try it soon hopefully.

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  25. @Anonymous - I think the acetone works so well because it affects the polish so easily. Regular remover has other add ins that may affect the way the polish spreads. Give it a try though! You never know!

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  26. OOooo this is so unusual!! Bit crazy but I think you've pulled it off :)

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  27. Wow. Very unique!! You've inspired me, I gotta try it now!

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  28. OMG! This is amazing! You really are incredibly talented! I need to try this!

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  29. I love this look! Gonna have to give it a try some time =D

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  30. Hi,

    It's me again :)

    I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award because I think your blog deserves this award!

    I've written a post about it on my blog: http://kimskienails.blogspot.com/2012/01/liebster-blog-award.html

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  31. This is really cute! I love it!

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  32. Very cool effect! I think I'll try this out.

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  33. Wow what a awesome mani!!! I seriously need to try this soon, great job chickie ♥

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  35. Gorgeous! I've been meaning to try this technique.

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  36. I've got to try this out soon.

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  37. Hi! I super love this design and just wanted to let you know I put a link to it on my blog : http://shadesofsunshine-sic.blogspot.com/2012/01/birthday-blog-proper-introduction_18.html
    Didn't hyperlink the photo though!
    Keep making awesome nails!

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  38. oh great work pretty nails. I want to try this.
    hair salon newcastle

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  39. Such a fun idea! I love it! I featured your tutorial in my blog! Check it out: http://becomingelizabeth.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/trend-blend-painterly-prints-pleated-skirts/

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