You can find DIY beauty inspiration in the most unexpected places.
Holographic nail art catches the light and turns heads, but those typical drug store polishes can be heavy and and gloopy.
Fear not. You don't need to pay top dollar for a premium polish to make you look like an ethereal space queen. There is one way to get a gorgeously understated, holographic nail that still looks out of this world.
Materials:
A few inches of iridescent cellophane
Craft scissors
Small nail scissors
Base coat nail polish
Top coat nail polish
A soft tape measure
A friend*
*Recommended but not required.
Step one:
Get an approximate measurement of your nail surface. You'll use this measurement just as a general rule of thumb for when you're cutting your cellophane. It should fit just slightly thinner than your nail.
Step two:
Cut thin strips of cellophane using the measurement you took. You will only need a few strips. Since the surface of your nail curves, it's better to cut strips that are slightly skinnier than your nail's surface and use the cellophane as an accent.
Step three:
Coat your nails with an even, thin layer of base coat. This acts as a "glue" for the cellophane to adhere to the nail.
Step four:
Gently place the cellophane to the middle of the nail and press down so it sticks to the base coat. Make sure all the edges are sealed onto the nail. You may have some slight bubbling depending how thick you cut your strips. If so, you can always start again. This nail art is extremely forgiving.
Once you have your strip in place, use your nail scissors to cut the strip, leaving a little excess on the nail.
Step five:
After you have attached the cellophane to all your nails and allowed the base coat to dry, trim the excess away until you are left with a clean edge.
Step six:
Apply your top coat to sandwich in your cellophane. If needed, allow to dry and apply a second coat to smooth the surface.
Step seven:
Admire your handiwork. Instagrams are encouraged.
If you wish, apply a colored nail polish before or in place of your base coat as an added element. While it probably won't effect the look of your manicure, most nail polishes may chip under your cellophane, so they are not great replacements for stickier, thicker base coats.
Two-in-one base coat and top coat polishes are also viable options, however results and longevity might vary.
Once your nails are dry, you'll be on your way to conquering the universe.
