Painting nails with gradient colors may seem difficult for most people. However, with patience and practice, you can certainly have a gradient tone to your nails by doing it yourself at home. Choose the right color by wearing a nail polish color from dark to light using a cosmetic sponge.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing Your Nails
Step 1. Cut and clean the nails
Use nail clippers to trim and shape your nails, then clean them with an acetone polish remover.
- You can keep your nails long, but usually, nail polish won't crack easily when applied to short, healthy nails. Ideally, the tip of the nail should be allowed to extend up to 3 mm.
- Don't forget to file the uneven edges of the nails. You can also use a file to shape your nails.
- Apply nail polish remover even if your nails are not being colored. This is done to ensure that there is no oil attached so that the nail polish will easily adhere to the nail later.
Step 2. Push the cuticles down
Gently press the cuticles around the nails using a cuticle pusher.
- Use the curved tip to press the cuticle around the nail surface. Tilt the plunger to an approximately 45-degree angle, then gently press the plunger against the cuticle and toward the edge of the nail.
- Still at a 45-degree angle, use the sharp end to push the cuticle around the corner of the nail.
- If the cuticles are hard to press, apply cuticle oil before doing this process. You can also soak your nails in warm water for 3 minutes.
Step 3. Apply the base polish on the nails
Apply primer to each nail, then allow it to dry.
- Ideally, you should use a paint formula that is intended to be a base coat and not clear or white nail polish because basecoats can smooth the surface of your nails more effectively than regular nail polish. You can use clear or white primer, but if you want a paint that's easier to apply, clear primer is the right choice for you.
- You should wait for the basecoat to dry completely before applying the nail polish, unless otherwise specified in certain products.
Part 2 of 4: Mixing Colors
Step 1. Pour the main color in five separate places
Choose a main color for the gradient, then pour the polish into five separate sections on the paint palette.
- You only need to apply a small amount of nail polish. However, make sure that each nail polish is enough to cover two full nails.
- When using a standard nail polish formula, you should mix all the shades of nail polish before applying it to your nails. However, if you choose a nail polish with a quick-drying formula, it's best if you first only pour the nail polish into two separate parts, then apply the nail polish immediately after mixing the color of the nail polish.
Step 2. Mix black nail polish on three parts
Use a toothpick to stir the polish. Use one toothpick for one color mix.
- Once mixed, the nail polish mixture will show a darker color than before.
- Put one drop of black nail polish on the first palette, two drops on the second palette, and three drops on the third palette. Stir each nail polish until well blended. If the resulting color is not as dark as expected, add a little more black nail polish and mix until well combined.
- This tutorial uses only three dark colors and two light colors, but if you want to use three light colors and two dark colors, you only need to mix black nail polish on two palettes. Then, mix white nail polish on the other three palettes.
Step 3. Apply white polish to the remaining two palettes
Use separate toothpicks to mix the white nail polish with the nail polish on the two palettes.
- One palette should contain a lighter color than the other palette.
- Add white to a palette containing unpainted nail polish. Add one drop of white nail polish on the first palette and two drops on the second palette. Stir until well blended. If the color isn't as bright as you'd like it to be, you can add a little white nail polish and mix again.
Part 3 of 4: Applying Polish
Step 1. Cut the sponge into 5 parts
Use scissors to cut a clean cosmetic sponge into 5 parts. Each should be the same size as or slightly larger than your nail size.
- Make sure you use a plain cosmetic sponge, not one with too many pores, as they won't hold the color of the nail polish well.
- A piece of sponge will be used for one finger on each hand. This means that you will use one sponge for two thumbs, one sponge for two index fingers, and so on.
Step 2. Soak the sponge
Dip each sponge in the water. Lift the sponge, then squeeze out the absorbed water.
- The sponge used should be kept moist, but not too wet, with only 20% water.
- A sponge that has been soaked in water is useful to prevent the nail polish from soaking too quickly into the sponge material so you can easily apply the nail polish.
Step 3. Put two strips of color on the sponge
Apply a strip of the darkest color to the edge of the sponge and a strip of the second darkest color directly next to it.
- Keep in mind that the resulting display will show gradient colors in a vertical direction. Therefore, make sure you apply nail polish to the sponge vertically, not horizontally.
- Use a separate nail polish brush to apply the polish to the sponge so the colors don't mix. If you're using one brush for all colors, make sure you clean the brush with nail polish remover before dipping it in another color. Also make sure the nail polish remover doesn't hit the nail polish itself.
- Apply two coats of polish directly to the sponge. This will make it easier for the nail polish to stick to your nails.
Step 4. Mix colors
Gently pat the polished sponge on the piece of paper until the line between the two colors is mixed.
Tap the sponge at the same spot to blend the line between the two colors. Make sure the two colors are mixed at the edges only, while the colors in other areas should remain separate and clearly visible
Step 5. Apply gradient color to the nails
Position the polished side of the sponge on the nail, then gently press it directly against the nail.
- Make sure the color stripes are pointing vertically. The center line between the two colors should be vertical in the center of the nail, and dark nail polish should point outwards.
- Apply pressure to the sponge to make sure the nail polish is completely adhered to. If necessary, pat the sponge in the same position.
Step 6. Apply the same gradient color to the other hand
In a similar way, press the same sponge on the same finger of the other hand.
Starting the painting with one color of the same gradation on both hands makes it easier for you to keep the row of colors the same. If the polish on the palette is already dry before applying the gradient color to all hands, it may be difficult to produce the same color mix, and the gradient colors on both hands will not match
Step 7. Repeat for the remaining colors and nails
Brush a line of color on the other four sponges and apply the line to the other finger. Do it one sponge at a time.
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If painting starts from the thumb, follow this sequence:
- Thumb: first darkest color and second darkest color
- Index finger: second darkest color and third darkest color
- Middle finger: third darkest color and original color
- Ring finger: original color and second lightest color
- Little finger: second lightest color and first lightest color
- If the application starts from the little finger, follow the order in reverse.
- Make sure the first color of each nail matches the second color of the previous nail. The array of colors should look natural on the entire hand.
Part 4 of 4: Protecting Manicure
Step 1. Clean the area around the nail
Dip a brush or earplug in the nail polish remover. Apply to the skin around the nails with care.
- After application, there will usually be a lot of nail polish stains on the skin around the nail even if you're doing it with care.
- To make it easier, clean immediately while the nail polish is still wet. However, you can also do this after the nail polish is completely dry if you're afraid of bumping into the wet nail polish.
Step 2. Let the nail polish dry
Wait for the nail polish to dry before taking the next step.
Make sure the nail polish is completely dry because it can still be smudged if it still feels sticky
Step 3. Apply the clear outer paint
Apply a clear outer polish all over the nail.
- It's a good idea to use a polish that's designed to be the outer layer of your nails, not your regular clear polish. External polish has the advantage of softening and protecting nail color more effectively than regular nail polish.
- In addition, external paint can also make the color gradation on the nails look smoother and mixed more evenly.
Step 4. Enjoy the gradation on your nails
Once the outer paint has dried, the manicure is finished and ready to show off.
