Patriotism via Nail Art

I have begun a new, and might I say, very fulfilling ritual.  Every Tuesday, I sit at my kitchen table and paint my nails.  Ok, it's only been three weeks, but I feel committed.  Nail Art satisfies a number of my appetites.  My appetite for creativity, beauty, solitude and it keeps me from biting my nails.  A terribly disgusting and unfortunate habit.  If you have this problem, try spending two straight hours painting your nails, it might make you think twice about giving them a good chew...

This week, I was inspired by a particular American holiday - I'm sure most of you can guess.  The 4th of July, Independence Day.  What better reason to paint your nails pretty colors?

Here's today's Instagram photo of my Red, White & Blues.

Some Do It Yourself Nail Artists out there may wonder how I created such smooth stripes, here's how:  I painted a few strips of scotch tape with my favorite red polish (two coats).   I then painted my nails with two full coats of white.  When the painted tape AND my white nails were dry, I carefully cut the tape into thin strips, using the edge of the scissor blade to guide a straight cut.  

After cutting the tape into strips, I snipped them to size and began placing them on each nail, one by one.  A nail clipper serves as the perfect strip clip.  It pinches the end of the strip around the edge of the nail prepping it for the next step, which, of course, is coat after coat of clear polish.  Be very careful that all the paint is dry, the colors will bleed very easily and ruin all your hard work with one stroke.

Touch ups on the red and white are easier with this technique as well.  If you're gentle, the tape acts as a barrier for wet paint.  Try stocking up on some small paint brushes.  They will save you a lot of headaches when you're touching up and your nail designs will last longer with every effort you make.

The blue is a bit more of an indigo or a darker, richer version of periwinkle.  Any shade of blue will work, I just picked this because the coolness of this particular shade didn't wash me out (I have very fair skin...blue isn't always my color).  I simply used a dot stylus I got at Michael's with white polish.  This particular stylus set is by Marth Stewart, but you can find a generic kit in the store too.  They'll be near the paint brushes.  I made sure to stagger the dots evenly.  I think it looks better and you can fit more of them on your nail.  It's easiest when you make one line of evenly spaced dots right down the center of your nail from cuticle to tip, then work out from there.  Take some time to practice if it's your first time using a stylus.  Practice makes for more perfectly symmetrical dots!

Thanks for reading!

Have a Happy 4th of July!!