How to paint Japanese cherry blossoms on your nails to give them a more exciting and exotic look.

NOTE: It's helpful to have a few reference pictures on hand. Use a search engine to find various pictures of Japanese cherry blossoms. This will make it easier to paint them on later.

Tools you will need:
- Nail polish remover
- Cuticle pusher
- Nail filer
- Light blue nail polish
- Black nail polish with a thin tipped brush
- White nail polish
- Pink nail polish
- Clear nail polish
- Thin nail polish brush
- Paper plate or small paint palette

(Please ignore the odd date stamp on the pictures in the first three steps. I didn't realize there was something wrong until later)

Step 1: Prepare Nails

Use nail polish remover to take off any existing or leftover nail polish. Then push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher, and use a nail filer to shape nails into a smooth, even curve.

Step 2: Apply Base Coat

Use the light blue nail polish and paint an even layer on each nail. Allow to dry completely before progressing to the next step.

Step 3: Paint Branches

Use the black nail polish for the branches. To get a more realistic tree branch look, apply brush from the base outward so the tip of the branch will be thinner and taper off. Be mindful of the amount of nail polish on the brush because too much will smear and not enough won't be dark enough. Allow to completely dry before the next step.

Don't be afraid to vary the amount of branches on the nails. Having each nail look exactly the same takes away from the beauty of it. Nature is hardly uniform.

Step 4: Paint Petals

Place two drops of white nail polish on your paper plate or paint palette. Then, using the nail brush, paint the flowers by connecting three small dots. Paint 1-3 flowers on each main branch. Allow to dry completely before the next step. Be sure to clean your nail brush.

Step 5: Paint the Stigma

The center of a flower is called a stigma, and this step requires two parts. For part one, lighten your pink nail polish by mixing two drops with a drop of white nail polish on your plate or palette. Then use the paint brush to apply a dot of light pink to the center of each flower. Allow to dry. Be sure to clean your nail brush.

For part two, slightly darken the color just used by adding another drop of pink nail polish. Then apply a very light and uneven dab of the darker pink on top of the stigma using the nail brush. This simulates the anthers on the flower and adds a more realistic look.

Allow to dry completely before the next step.

Step 6: Apply Top Coat

Apply an even coat of clear nail polish. If the pink has not dried then it will smear and the clear nail polish will have a pink tint to it. Allow to dry.

Congratulations--you now have beautiful nails!