I've been thinking about doing a gradient manicure for a while, but the perfectionist in me wouldn't allow it. I'd tried free-hand gradients before, with terrible results. Enter: make-up sponge! Talk about a game changer, a sponge makes the world of difference. I'm sure you'll see many ways to do a gradient using a sponge, but I think this is the easiest way! Blending the colors is practically fool-proof and this manicure took me no time at all! I also wanted a spring/summery feel to my nails, so I used China Glaze Lemon Fizz and China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy. I know, I was shocked I took a break from my Zoya kick, too! (Although, I own very few Zoya creme's...hehehe!) Anyways, here's how to create a gorgeous gradient manicure:
Start with your lightest color. I polished two coats of Lemon Fizz (after Chip Skip and a base coat):
Then, polish your make-up sponge with your light color on one side and your darker color on the other. Make sure they touch or overlap just a little so the colors can blend to avoid having an obvious line where one color ends and the other begins. This is where I began using Flip Flop Fantasy. I used the same sponge for my entire manicure, but you may need more if the polish begins eating away at your sponge!
Then, start at one side of your nail and just roll the sponge over your nail. I rolled it three or four times. The more you roll it, the more blended the colors become. I also used some dabbing action every once in a while.
Yes, you will have polish on your skin. Yes, the clean-up on this manicure is the only annoying, time consuming part of doing this. And I still couldn't clean them up as well as I usually do! UGH! Here are my nails, before clean-up!
Polish on a top coat (I used Seche Vite this time), which will blend the colors even more, and viola, gorgeous awesomeness! This is, by far, one of my most complimented manicures! Even some men at work complimented me on it! Many people have told me it looks like a sunrise or sunset, or a tequila sunrise! No matter what, it looks amazing and it's very eye-catching with the colors I used! I took these photos inside on a cloudy, rainy Florida afternoon (without flash)! Enjoy! :)
wow, thats a great idea! i'm gonna try it right now! hope you keep posting!
ReplyThanks! I hope it goes smoothly for you! :)
I tried a gradient before, but I never painted my nails with a color first! I just put red, orange, and blue on a sponge and sponged it on. I like your way and may try it soon!
ReplyI feel like a base color makes it easier and more forgiving! Let me know if you try it! :)
I will! I may try it after my minnie mouse nails chip off, or I may finally try my Lynnderella I won first. It's so hard to choose lol