Tribal Chevron French

Recently, I've been told by many bloggers and nail enthusiasts that acrylic paints are the way to go, as well as trimming your own brushes. I took advantage of this advice, and I'm more than satisfied with the results! I highly recommend using these tactics when creating your art. My first try was with this tribal and ombré mash up. 

One thing I've learned and will continue to preach: acrylics are so much easier to maneuver with! The paint doesn't clump during application, the brushes aren't constantly being dunked in remover, and the designs are much cleaner and precise. (Not to mention no need of a makeup sponge for the gradient!) I'm definitely a fan. 

  Of course, nail polish was still used, but not nearly as much. I used a nude polish from elf cosmetics overtop a generic base coat. The rest was all acrylic besides the top coat! I would advise those of you who are going to switch to use runnier brands of acrylics. If you only have access to globbier ones, that's fine, just add water. Although, careful about adding too much; the paint will lose it's opacity fairly quickly!

  

  As for these specific nails:

1. Prep nails with any shaping, strengtheners, or filing necessary. Apply a base coat and 2-3 coats of a nude polish. Paint both of your ring fingers white.

2. Using a trimmed brush dipped in white acrylic paint on all your nails except your ring fingers, make 3 very small dots: one directly in the middle of the edge of your nail, and two midway up your nail on either side. (These should be parallel to each other.) these will serve as guides for your chevron shape and will avoid painting off center tips.

3. Connect the middle dot with the two on the sides of your nail. Fill these in completely white. You should now have a generic white and nude chevron manicure.

4. Now you're ready to add color! Using 2-3 different colors, ombré the tips and your white ring finger by using your trimmed brush. Allow the color to blend with the one next to it.

5. With black, line the inside of the ombré tips. Paint straight, geometric lines throughout the colored areas. Then, finish the look by painting another chevron on the nude paint. 

6. Add a top coat!! Many people skip this step, but it's imperative that you do this. (Especially with acrylics, or else the paint will wipe away and fade.) Lock in your look and you're done!

I hope that tutorial wasn't too complex to follow, but if all else fails, the picture is there to help! 😊