Gradient Nails

Having only started wearing nail varnish a couple of years ago (I used to think it made my hands look manly) I never really tried anything more difficult than glitter over a colour. I have seen lots of pics of gradient nails but just presumed it would be too tricky for a novice nail painter.

I was so wrong; It's quick, easy and really effective. I was really impressed with my first go:

1st go at gradient nails

All you need is nail varnish and a sponge. Start by selecting three colours of nail varnish. I picked three shades of pink; No7 Stay Perfect in French Pink (08), 17 Lasting Fix in Fairy Cake and Barry M in Bright Pink (279).

My three colours

Start by painting your nails all over with the palest shade of varnish. (Dark colours will stop the gradient showing up.) Next take a small piece of sponge; I used the back of an unused tanning mit. Paint a stripe of all three colours. Start with the palest shade at the edge then the next two:

Sponge with stripes of varnish

Now all you have to do is dab the sponge on the painted nails. I gave each nail a couple of dabs ensuring the top of the nail was covered. I was only looking for for a splash of the darkest color but you could make the stripe on the sponge thicker or just dab more times for a more dramatic look. At first I thought you would have to re-apply the varnish each time but it only takes one generous coating per hand.  

So simple and really effective; even if your not confident experimenting with make up I'd recommend giving it ago. If I can do it so can you!

Can't wait to try it with all different colours!

fee xxx