DIY nail decorating

When it comes to painting my nails, I am really – let’s be honest – lazy. I once read a magazine article about Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen where one of the twins said they like chipped nail polish. That was the only excuse I needed to let my nails go. I should have grown out of that. But even looking at my nails now, as they dance across my laptop keyboard, I’m noticing that there’s hardly any nail polish left from a paint job I did, well, a month ago. One nail is completely naked.

But as I spend more (scratch that, way too much) time on Pinterest – an online bookmarking Web site where you can see what everyone else is into – I’m seeing alternative nail styles that could, possibly, persuade me to be better about maintaining a solid coat. There are nails that look marbled, nails for news hounds, and inventive twists on French tips. So many possibilities! There’s even one style I saw that creates a “mural” of an underwater scene with an octopus. One of its tentacles reaches from the index finger to the middle finger. Genius.

Most of these come with fairly simple tutorials that I will pass on for anyone brave and bold enough (and less lazy than I am).

Newsprint nails:  This is the coolest style. I haven’t actually tried it yet, but it’s on my to-do list. Plus, it looks super easy.

First, use a light base coat – a white, beige, or nude color would probably work best, but if you want extra pizzazz, try light pink or blue. Just don’t go with anything that’s very dark.

Next, find a newspaper and rip up a page with a lot of text on it – you need ten pieces that are big enough to cover your nail. Then pour yourself a shot – or two if you’re thirsty – of gin and, once your nails are dry, dip one finger into the alcohol for about 25 seconds. Immediately put the newsprint on top of the nail and press down for about 10 seconds with a cotton ball. Finish the look with a clear topcoat. Ta-da! Easy, right?

Marble nails: This is a little more complex and looks a little more time consuming, but the outcome is really neat.

First, you’re going to need at least two colors of nail polish. Paint the nails you want to marbleize with a base coat – white will make the other colors pop more. Use a clear tape to cover the skin around the nails. Using a cup of filtered water, create a bull’s eye by adding a drop of polish to the water one color at a time, or you can alternate two or more colors. The more rings you have, the better. Next, take a toothpick or needle and stir to create a swirled pattern on the water.

Keeping your nail parallel to the design, dip it into the swirl and under the water. Hold it there while using a toothpick or a Q-tip to clear the excess polish from the cup.  Remove your finger and, viola! Remove the tape and you should have fabulously fun marbleized nails.

Other, less dramatic but still glamorous, styles could include a matte nail with a glossy French tip in the same color. Maybe you would prefer a nude nail with a thin tip in a bold color — or colors if you’re feeling feisty. For the holidays max out and get glitzy with a glitter polish.

Go on, give it a whirl – or twirl if you’re marbleizing – and show the Olsen’s that pretty polish dominates the scrappy chipped nails. Your willingness to try it could inspire me to be better about my habits.

By Taylor Dungjen