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It’s not easy being fabulous. It’s also not cheap being fabulous. One of the ways I cut frivolous spending is by doing my manicures at home. Because I swatch so many nail polishes at a time it’s not economical for me to get professional manicures done ever because I’d just be removing it in 12 hours. When an event pops up (such as a wedding, night out… etc) and I need to have nice or whimsical nails I take to my favorite supplies and I do it at home. Did I mention I’m not the most artistic person out there nor do I have the steadiest hand?
People like me, rejoice because you too can do nail art! For today’s post I’m trying my hand at the popular negative space manicure. You will need the following: Nail Polish (or polishes) of choice plus your chosen base and top coats, Q-tips Precision Tips, stickers of choice (in my case chevron style) and nail polish remover.
Apply your base color. In this case, rather than using a clear base polish, I used a nail polish that paints on sheer but that is loaded up with very fine holo shimmer. I think this is a more whimsical take on this “negative space mani” and adds extra oomph. It’s important to note you can never have enough bling happening.
Attach stickers. We’re not all artists and in this house freehand anything is out the window. For this mani I grabbed chevron stickers and placed them across each nail where I wanted the color separation to happen. Tip: Before starting this step make sure that your base color is completely dry. In this case it’s sheer, so that doesn’t take long, but when you go with a creamy or dark shade give it double the amount of time you think it should have. When I use a creamy shade as a base I paint my nails the night before and do the art in the morning.
Add a second color… and maybe a third. Or even a fourth! How ambitious are you, girl?! For this mani I chose two shades – one is a baby blue cream that is saturated with very fine holo shimmer and the other is a metallic rainbow flakie deal with a semi-sheer base but ohhhhh those flakies…. Paint the shades over the areas of the nail where you’d like them to live. Tip: If you’d also like to use a sheer flakie but want it to pop more put a black nail color on the areas you’ll be painting. Do this before applying your stickers and, as with the first base polish, let it dry completely.
Remove stickers. As soon as you’re done applying the polishes remove those stickers. If you wait too long to remove the polish will begin to dry and the sticker will haul off more than you want it to. Because of this I usually do one nail at a time – paint, remove, repeat. Ignore messes on the skin… we’ll handle that later. 😉 Tip: If after you’ve removed the stickers your chevron tips aren’t as pointed as you’d like use the Q-tips Precision Tips dipped in a bit of the nail polish color to make them a little sharper.
Clean up. Not to talk smack on myself, but that’s a messy mani. After your nails are dry, or at least mostly so, grab Q-tips Precision Tips and some nail polish remover. Pour a bit of the remover into the cap and dip the Q-tips Precision Tips into it. Methodically press around the nail area cleaning up the fingers and cuticles. Because the Q-tips Precision Tips have tapered ends and a flexible stick it makes it easier to get under the nail and maneuver around so as not to mess up the mani itself. I also like to use this tool to go over the points that need it or clean up mess-ups with the paint. For a chevron mani in particular the Q-tips Precision Tips is perfect for that.
Top it off. Once the nail polishes are completely dry add your top coat. Tip: If you don’t wait until complete dryness happens you’ll get smearing and then you have to re-read this entire blog post and start your mani all over again. Stick around as long as you want, I love when people hang out, but I know you didn’t just do all that work for nothing.
I hope you enjoyed this at-home mani tutorial! What are your tips for an at home manicure?
Be sure to check out the Q-tips Pinterest Boards for more beauty inspiration.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Kristine Foley says
Awesome tips! I need to make time to do my nails more often!
Kristine Foley recently posted..Hospital Scare – Baby Bump Style 36 Weeks + Last Baby Bump Update – #babyfoley2015
Kendra says
what a cute design!!
Kendra recently posted..Easy DIY Jewelry Dish
Jamie says
Great tips – you can always save so much doing it yourself!! 🙂
Jamie recently posted..“Wine Cork Hotpad” – #TBCCrafters (02/26/15)
tara pittman says
Stickers to help paint the nails is a great idea. I need to try this.
tara pittman recently posted..How To Make A Green Tea Latte With Enzo 100% organic Matcha Tea Powder
Lola says
Awesome tutorial, and the end result is absolutely gorgeous! Such a great idea!
Lola recently posted..Beautybox 5 February 2015 | Unveiling and Review
Patty H says
What a great idea!! I love this!
Bailey says
I so need to try these! Love that shade of blue you used.
Bailey recently posted..Tea Forté Skin-Smart Single Steeps
Jennifer S. says
OMG I am in love with this! The pop of glitter in the negative space is the perfect touch! I’m gonna have to do some chevron nails in the next few days 🙂
Jennifer S. recently posted..Your Words Have Power…
NORAH says
LOVE these tips. I rely on Qtips to correct eyeliner when I do makeup on clients, such a lifesaver.
NORAH recently posted..Easy Vegetarian Lent Tostadas With Jalapeños Recipe
Amber says
This is so cute!! I’ve been wanting to experiment with Negative space manis, but I too am NOT a nail artist LOL. Free hand is NOT happening! The pointy qtips are my bff! Oh and you know you are a beauty blogger if…you can name all the polishes even though they aren’t listed LOL.
Amber recently posted..Mini Perfume – Unguent, Unguentarium, and U
Brooke says
LMAO truth
Honeygirlk says
I love your mani… so festive and ready for Easter 🙂
Honeygirlk recently posted..Honey’s Favorite Spring Fragrances 2015
Ashley says
Great tips! I’m a huge fan of the pointed tip cotton swabs. I always keep them around as they are good for SO many things!
Ashley recently posted..My Favorite Chanel Fragrance
Christina S says
Love this! I get so sloppy (the kids don’t help though) and need to clean them up afterwards!
Christina S recently posted..Tips for Getting a Great Family Photo
Kim says
Your tutorial was simple, but I think I’d still mess up lol. I never get to polish my nails fancy since having my daughter. She doesn’t let me polish in peace. I love your design.
Kim recently posted..7 Ways to Use Your Tax Refund to Invest in and Improve Your Blog
Brooke says
Thank you! Mine is the same. I find if I do hers first I get a little more peace lol
Melissa says
Very cute… They kind of remind me of little Easter eggs. lol
Brooke says
omg yes! LOL
Destany says
I love vinyls! Experimenting with them is so much fun!
Destany recently posted..FingerPaints Picnic in the Park collection!
Renu says
I love the chevron pattern! Nothing like precision Q-tips for cleaning up a mani.
Renu recently posted..Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick swatches: Intense Nude, Tumultous Pink
betzy carmona says
I love the outcome !
betzy carmona recently posted..What To Carry Around In A Makeup Bag ?
Nidia - Lit From Within says
Very cute negative-space mani! I actually did some chevron nails with stickers on myself today! No matter how careful I am, there are always some points that aren’t sharp enough, so having a detail cleanup tool is a must!
Nidia – Lit From Within recently posted..Swan Song
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
Cute! Love the glitter and the pattern. My Littlest likes to have “spa day” with me so I am going to pick up those Precision Tips, pronto!!
Claire @ A Little Claireification recently posted..100+ Ideas For Spring | All Things Creative – Spring Edition 2
Emmy says
That is fun! I am with you, I cannot free hand anything either. Give me a pattern or template though I am good to go.
Cassie @ Beauty & The Boys says
I love your nail design!! I haven’t painted my nails in forever so I will probably fail at doing this, but this tutorial makes me want to paint them again!
Cassie @ Beauty & The Boys recently posted..DIY Peppermint Body Butter
Kath TheFabZilla says
Talk about being fabulous, haha! But seriously, you made this mani look easy peasy!
Kath TheFabZilla recently posted..February Empties :: Murad, The Body Shop, Cetaphil, Alterna, Caudalie
Erika says
Your nail art is too cute. I oil my cuticles and the skin around my nails after a mani. It moisturizes my skin and cuticles after the pounding from remover and acetone.
Erika recently posted..Amara Organics Vitamin C Serum First Impression
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
Great job and so cute Brooke!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) recently posted..Reviva Labs Twitter Party!!
Carly says
OMG, such great tips! I’m horrible at doing my own nails!
Kristin Bassett says
I love Qtips and this mani!
Kristin Bassett recently posted..Beautiful Boston: Kennedy’s on the Square
Justina says
The mani turned out super cute!
Justina recently posted..Whiter Teeth Before Braces with Express White Toothpaste
Miranda | Slashed Beauty says
Love this design!
Miranda | Slashed Beauty recently posted..Get the Look: Fashion Week Fresh Face & Bright Eyes
Eugenia says
I love this fun glitter mani!! Super unique!
Eugenia recently posted..Top 10 Red Lippies
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
How cute is this?? 🙂 And you make it look so easy too!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama recently posted..Pan Seared Salmon with Asparagus & Sweet Potato “Rice”
Sarah Halstead says
That is so beautiful!
Sarah Halstead recently posted..Simple Beauty Tips
kendall says
That is just so cute! I love the design you did, so creative!
Brooke says
Thank you!!
Phyrra says
I love your mani design! I use those q-tips
Phyrra recently posted..bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream First Impressions
Brooke says
Thank you!
Kendra says
Love your chevron mani 🙂
Kendra recently posted..The 2016 Kia Sorento
Chelsea says
I love that blue, so pretty! I’m going out to buy these Q-tips today because I always make SUCH a mess of my polish, haha.
Chelsea recently posted..Naturebox Review
coolchillmom says
What a great tip. You did indeed get the best a manicure at home!
coolchillmom recently posted..Good Luck Healthy Shamrock Smoothie for Saint Patrick’s Day
Allison says
I’ve gotta try stickers again, coz I can’t be that much of a klutz or maybe I can be. I tried essence French manicure strips and I couldn’t even get a straight line, but the chevrons look like so much fun. And why for heaven’s sake can’t I remember to use Q-tips for clean up??!!
Allison recently posted..NeoStrata Intensive Eye Therapy
Kay says
Love the nail art design you have there! I have been wanting to try those sticker thing but also wondered if I should remove as soon as replied or wait a while, so glad you have mentioned it in your post! cause no one seems to mention these steps when they talk about nails stickers haha xD
Kay recently posted..Berrisom Oops My Lip Tint Pack ☆ Chic Purple Review & Swatches
Brooke says
aw lol I’m so glad this helped you out!! It’s addicting to use the stickers to create the nail art!
Courtney says
That is so cool! I’ve always wondered how people got designs onto their nails. Super cool!
Courtney recently posted..Interviewing the Director & Producer of Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast #NeverBeastBloggers
danielle says
this is really helpful considering i’m awful at doing my nails!
Brooke says
Girl, preach lol these have been my savior so many times for nail looks and eye looks.
Cindi says
I’d love to get my hands on those precison tips QTips, but where I shop they only carry the regular style QTips or store brand cottons swabs. I’ve been looking. Maybe they will start soon 🙂
Brooke says
I actually found mine in the baby section of Rite-Aid! I believe Target had them in the beauty area. I hope you find them!