Wednesday, February 11, 2015

DIY Watercolor Mani for Valentine's Day // Lazy Girl Basics

I love having polish on my nails, but often when I try to do something super fancy... it fails. Which is such a bummer. We've all been there right? The first step is done, you go to add the easy half moon or tip... and the whole nail is botched. Surely I'm not the only one.


Well this manicure is great* for two reasons:

1) It's easy, and it doesn't have to be perfect. (shaky hands? no big deal, lack of polish finesse? even better). In fact this mani looks better the more varied it is!

2) You can actually do this on top of a chipped mani. Yep. Those once pretty nails can be refreshed starting with the second step of this process. No more chips, pretty nails again!

Sound good? Here we go.

Supplies & Prep:

Prepped Nails (w/ base coat applied & dried)
1 Light Colored Nail Polish (I used 100% Pure's 12:51)
1 Darker Colored Nail Polish (I used Essie's 'Jelly Apple' (red), but also liked 'plumberry' (pink))
Top Coat
Remover etc. for touch ups


1) Apply your lighter color to all of your nails. Be patient. Let dry.


2) Apply darker color over the top of each nail. Start about halfway down and fill in with strokes to the top. Do this in strips to give it a more 'painted' type look. You can decide if you want to use less polish and make it look watercolor-y or more polish, which will look more like an oil painting. Don't worry if some parts are thicker than others, if there are curves or indentions in your polish, the variance will make it look more artsy. :) Let dry, completely.

3) Add top coat. Let dry again. 

Another way you could try this mani is with a darker color on the bottom and a metallic color over the top.

I personally think this would be really pretty with a lilac and a plum, or a gold over a bright pink. Or black with nude or white. See? really anything works. :)

You are one step closer to being a manicure master.

What are you planning for this weekend?

My v-day inspiration, here, and outfit, here.

Happy Valentine's Day!

XO,

Alexandra

*Disclaimer: It's not for everyone, it's kind of got an artsy flair to it, you can't be into perfection. But, if you want to go with the flow, and don't mind asymmetry... this is for you!

22 comments:

  1. Oh I'm such a nail-painting klutz! They never turn out the way I want. But I love the "perfectly imperfect" style of this mani! Right up my alley :)

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  2. Thanks Shea. It was so easy, yet appealing I had to share. :) XO

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  3. Thank you Joanna. I'm all about perfectly imperfect. ;) XO

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  4. Too cool! I love it; I really need something like this because I am definitely no nail pro! Thanks for the tutorial~ <3

    Gina
    Pink Wings

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  5. Thank you Gina! :) I'm not either, this one makes me feel like I'm better at it! :) XO

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  6. Thank you Vale. It's so simple! Thanks for stopping by! :) XO

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  7. This turned out so cute! I love it!
    Melanie @ meandmr.com

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  8. this is GENIUS. thank you. i'm going to try it for sure!

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  9. Thanks Melanie. I'm all about easy-peasy. And painted nails. :) XO

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  10. Thanks so much Sydni! :) I hope that you love it! :) XO

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  11. Oooh interesting design and great for Valentines! <3

    I have a new Valentines Day outfit on my blog, would love to know your thoughts:

    * Electric Sunrise - Fashion and Lifestyle Blog *

    x

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  12. Thank you Helen! It is so simple and fun. My only requirements for a mani these days. :) Hopping on over now! Thanks for stopping by! XO -Alexandra

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  13. love that this look doesn't have to be perfect! x

    em // emandhan xo

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  14. Thank you so much Sammy. & thanks for stopping by! XO

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  15. oh gosh, i'm so bad with nail polish that i've just kinda given up - leave um' bare or take um' to the pros! you, however, got some enviable skill with that little brush - your nails look so pretty!

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  16. Very nice manicure!

    XX

    http://www.floortjeloves.com

    http://www.facebook.com/floortjeloves

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  17. Thanks Annette! It is definitely a time saver! :) Thanks for stopping by! XO

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  18. Thank you Jennifer. :) I'm not very good with polish... my skills are growing. But this artsy sort of look is really good for days I am feeling especially impatient and lazy... :) XO

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  19. This makes me want to actually grow out my nails. I have the horrible habit of biting mine and I haven't been able to paint them in years. One of my new years resolutions was to stop, so maybe one day I'll get to rock this look. :)

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  20. Such a bummer, I'm bad at nibbling on the dry skin around my nails. It's the worst of mine! I hope that your new years resolution works for you! Sorry I somehow let this comment slip through the cracks. Thank you for stopping by! XO -Alexandra

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Thank you for reading! I love seeing your sweet comments and visiting your lovely blogs! XO