Introduction: Mani Muse: 3.1 Phillip Lim Resort 2014 Nail Art

About: A graduate of Syracuse University with a BFA in Surface Pattern Design. My surface of choice... NAILS! I enjoy discovering simple and easy ways to dress your naked nails!

Nail art was inspired by a jumpsuit designed by 3.1 Phillip Lim from his Womens Ready-To-Wear Resort 2014 Collection.
Take a look at the nails behind the fashion print and then see how I achieved this chic nail design with a few simple steps.

Step 1: The Set Up / Tools

  1. Nail Polish Palette: Make a palette for mixing your polish colors using either a paper plate, wax paper, tin foil or what I used which is Saran Wrap.
  2. Brush Cleaner:  Get a small bowl, either a pyrex dish, empty plastic container and pour some acetone and a few drops of tea tree oil.  (The tea tree oil will prevent your brush from drying out.)
  3. Small Angle Brush
  4. OPI Nail Polish Thinner
  5. Nail Polish:  White, Black, Yellow, Orange, Light Blue, Dark Blue, Light Green, Dark Green

These are the colors I used for this nail art.

Vinylux Creme Puff: 
Black:  Nail Art Duo by Art Club
Yellow: Darcy by Zoya
Orange: Thandie by Zoya
Light Blue Rocky by Zoya
Dark Blue: Mesmerize by Essie,  Mesmerize by Essie
Light Green: Josie by Zoya
Dark Green Going Incognito by Essie
Dry Fast Top Coat: Seche Vite

Step 2: Start With a Full White Nail

 I used 2 coats of  Vinylux Creme Puff by CND

Step 3: The First Layer

Dab your polishes onto your palette and thin them out a bit with OPI Nail Polish thinner. 
Using a small angle brush, apply a few brush strokes of the lightest shade of each color onto your nails.
(Clean off your brush in between colors with your brush cleaner solution)

Step 4: Second Layer

Using the same technique dab a bit more polish to your palette and re apply more strokes of the darker shade over the first shade.  Creating a water color effect to your nail.
(To create a dusty look to the orange shade, apply a stroke of blue over parts of the orange area)




Step 5: Add Your Outline

Using a striping brush or Nail Art Duo pen Apply black lines over the uneven edge of the colors, creating an uneven border.  (Mimicking the pattern in the jumpsuit)




Step 6: Finish Off the Look

Wait 5 minutes or so for all the polish to set and dry.


Apply your favorite Dry Fast Top Coat for a brilliant shine!  I used Seche Vite for this nail design.

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