Here is how I did my nails:
Grab a striping tool that you are comfortable with and a dotting tool (not pictured). I used the long striping tool.
I put a little drop of polish on a piece of aluminum foil.
The first design is the lines with the dots in between. I started putting the lines on the nails taking into account the spacing I will need for the dots.
With the dotting tool I placed a few dots in between the lines.
The next nail I did some lines in one direction and then some in the opposite direction. I start with the first line where I want the two directions to meet.
Continue making lines down the nail. (Don't get bumped into by a lookie loo like I did here! Grrrr!)
When your done with that direction go back and add lines in the other direction.
For the ring finger, I just did lines going straight down. *Tip: When doing the lines it makes it easier if you can support the brush by placing your pinkie against the table. It just adds a little more support so your hand isn't floating while making your lines.
For the dots, I used a dotting tool and dipped it in the polish on my piece of foil and gently pressed the dotting tool to the nail. I made dots in the same direction as I would the lines rather than haphazardly like I would normally do.
You can mix and match, or do the same design across all your nails. I love that these are quick and easy to do and don't require much art skill. If you're a perfectionist or have shaky hands like someone I know (me), you can also use striping tape. (You can purchase striping tape on Amazon.com) It will take a little more time, but you will get perfect lines with this method.
Cut the striping tape into small pieces a bit longer than what you actually need.
Line the tape across your nails based on the style you want. (I cut the strips long here since it's a bit different working on the wheel. You don't need this much excess for your nails.)
Once you have the tape on your nail, paint your entire nail.
You can see the difference in how clean and perfect the tape mani looks compared to the one where I was bumped while doing it. :)
If you want just a few lines, you will need two pieces of striping tape to make one line.
Then use your striping brush to paint in between the paint.
Remove the tape and make your dots or other design in between the lines if you choose.
My final mani:
And finally the good stuff! The Giveaway!
Enter the giveaway for a $75 Cult Nails Gift Certificate by leaving a blog comment here about your favorite summer nail trend and then click here for your official entry! Tweet for an extra entry or like us on Facebook for an extra entry! Winner will be notified via email on June 17, 2013 and will have 48 hours to respond to the email before a new winner is selected.
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