Gradient Alternatives

I don’t normally stray from posts that don’t have nail art in them, but when I did my Texas Nails some people had requested an alternative way to do gradients. For those of us that are dyed-in-the-wool laquerheads, we know that the traditional method is to use polish, makeup sponges, and the clean up can be extensive. My cuticles and skin don’t do too well with this method and if you make a mistake, you have to completely remove it and start over (well, at least I do).

So as requested, here is the alternative method to doing a gradient, and a video none-the-less! Just to clarify, I did mine a bit different from the video. I started with a nail polish base (the lightest color of the gradient I was doing) and then used water-based acrylic with a small paint brush (a detail brush, but not the one for tiny detail, it was about 1/4 inch long, and the bristles came to a point). I started with the darkest color of the gradient at the free edge of the nail, or the base of the nail, and moved the brush back and forth until the paint thinned enough, then took the mid-range color and repeated the process.

I wanted to say sorry for my prolonged silence, but got sick and was knee-deep in school work. I am now on break and have some nail art coming this week. Yay!!!!

In this tutorial, you would use a fan brush and acrylic paint and the clean up is simple. Voila. Thank you tartofraises for doing a video!