I’m a little giddy today because we’re headed on a little vacation this weekend! We’re headed down south to warmer weather (not that it’s been cold here in Logan, Utah), or should I say, “sweltering weather,” where it’s supposed to be right up around 100 degrees while we’re there. That’s alright with me, though, because I plan to live in the pool.
Since I’m pregnant, there’s been no working out or eating healthy to do (one of my favorite perks), so all I had to do to get ready was just slap on a layer of my favorite fake tan, and grace my usually bare nails with a fresh, summery manicure.
While browsing Pinterest for some inspiration, I fell in love with watercolor nails. You can literally use any colors you want, and it’s so easy! The only special tool you need is a sandwich bag, and I’m pretty sure everyone has those on hand. (See what I did there? Eh?)
Let me show you how quick and easy this is!
1. Start with white nails
Start off with white nails (I’m using China Glaze White On White), and I painted mine the night before to make sure they were completely dry.
From experience, I’ve figured out that if the nails are still a little wet, it’ll cause problems with the rest of the process.
2. Apply your colorful blobs
Working one nail at a time, put a fairly generous blob of each color you want to use on the nail. I put the blobs in different areas so that the nails don’t all turn out looking similar.
I wanted mine to resemble pools of water, so I used two blues — Zoya Blu and Sally Hansen Blue Rose (discontinued) — and a turquoise called Essie Turquoise and Caicos.
3. Grab your sandwich bag
Once your blobs are in place, it’s time to grab your sandwich bag. Open the bag, stick your finger inside, and lightly press your nail against the plastic, and sort of wiggle the bag around to mix the colors together.
It’s okay if you make a mess on your cuticles; we’ll clean those up later.
4. Time for top coat
When all of your nails are done, grab your favorite top coat (mine is Sally Hansen Mega Shine), and coat your nails. Then let them completely dry.
5. Clean up your cuticles
There are plenty of different techniques out there to get polish off your cuticles.
You can use a Q-tip and nail polish remover, but I don’t ever really do that because I don’t think it’s that effective, and there’s usually still a mess left over.
I like to wait for everything to completely dry, so like a few hours. Then I’ll make myself a nice bubble bath, and after my hands have soaked in the warm water for a while, I’ll put on my exfoliating gloves, rub around my cuticles, and everything comes right off.
Voila! A perfect manicure. And a relaxing bubble bath!
Do you have any fun vacation plans this summer? Where are you headed?
Yup, I have never bothered with clean up either. After a shower, things come right off with a little scrubbing. You have to wait a few hours for the natural oils of your skin starts to dislodge the polish.
This is so cute and it looks easy! Okay I will give it a try, you talked me into it!
That turned out great! I attempted watercolor nails once. Failed miserably :-S
I always struggle to even apply a coat of nail polish without making a mess. But this one seems do-able.
Like you, I also take a bath after doing my nails so that the cuticles clean up on their own.
Thanks for the tutorial.
Such a fun tutorial! I love how it seems so easy to do, too.
As for vacation plans, no big ones so far. I’m tempted to take a trip though because I’ve heard that it’s easier to travel with younger babies!
Thanks for the tutorial! I never knew how to get my nails to long like this.
Look not long!!
This looks very doable — and great for summer. Thanks for sharing the technique.
So pretty! And it seems pretty simple. My niece has been trying for weeks to do something similar, but much more complicated- it somehow involves a glass of water. I’ll be sure to pass this along.
Fun and easy! And easy to take off (so much better than glitter nail polish).
Monica.