Introduction: Create an Easy Ombre Manicure at Home!

About: I'm a wife, a mom, a health activist, an artist. I want to learn how to do everything, basically, even though I know I'll never succeed. I love to read, and to write, and to share information people need but d…

Are you loving the ombre trend that's so hot right now? Do you find yourself longingly gazing at gradients and wishing you could get them on your nails? Is your wallet feeling a bit faint at the idea of getting ombre nails at the salon?

You've definitely clicked the right instructable. You've probably got everything you need to do a gorgeous gradient manicure right now! Keep clicking to see how to achieve this!

Step 1: Supplies

If you like doing your nails at home, you probably already have everything you need to do this. If not, you definitely don't need to break the bank. You can get almost everything you need for a 2 color gradient at your local dollar store with money left over for a Taco Bell burrito! (Don't blame me if you're up all night with indigestion, though... )

Supplies:
Base coat
White nail polish
Nail polishes for the gradient in the colors of your choice
Top coat
A cosmetic sponge
Scissors

You can use any polishes you like for this, but keep in mind that you're going to be applying a very thin layer of the gradient colors. Opaque polishes tend to work a bit better for this than sheer polishes.

The white nail polish isn't exactly a requirement, but it definitely makes the gradient colors show up better.

As for the sponge? You can use pretty much any kind of sponge you want, as long as it's clean and doesn't melt if you put nail polish on it. If you aren't using a cosmetics sponge, you might want to test it by putting your nail polish onto it and stamping it a few times onto paper to see if it holds up. If it does? You're good to go!

Step 2: Let's Get to the Good Stuff... Make My Nails Look Pretty!

I know, if you're like me, you want to get past all the preliminary stuff and get to painting! First, put on your base coat. It helps keep your polish on longer, and helps protect your nails from staining. Always use a base coat!

Once that's dry, then it's time for the good stuff! Instead of me trying to figure out how to write the gradient steps, it's probably easier if you just watch me do it. Luckily, I have a video showing just that!

Step 3: What Next?

Now that you've got your nails gorgeous with that smooth gradient, be sure to add a top coat. This helps seal everything in, and really makes the gradient look smoother.

To clean up around the sponged areas, you can use a cotton swab with nail polish remover. However, I like using a paintbrush and acetone. Don't worry, I've got an instructable coming soon on that too!

And that's it... But you don't have to stop there. A gradient makes a beautiful background for nail art. You can add animal print on top, or stamp designs on. You can add dots or stripes or glitter or...

Yea. I get excited a bit too easily. Still, you have LOTS of options! My next instructable will show how to get the zebra stripes you've seen in my photos. So leave a comment if I haven't added it yet. I'm easily distracted!