- From flower nails to classic French tips and adorable little hearts, these stylish designs only need polish and a few household items
- Getting gel polish or acrylics can damage your nails and be too expensive for most teens
Put a spring in your step - and on your fingers! Photo: ShutterstockNow that spring has sprung, you may be on the lookout for some cute seasonal nail designs but don’t want to damage your nails by getting gel polish or acrylics. We feel you! The harmful aftermath of getting your nails professionally done is a deal-breaker for some – and it can also be costly and out of range for a teen budget.
Check out these seven fashionable designs you can do at home using only nail polish and common household items. These will give you stylish, salon-like nails without harming your healthy nails in the process.
Double-tone nails
This design is easy to do but looks surprisingly elegant and chic. All you need to do is pick two different hues of the same colour: if you’re going for a spring-esque look, we highly recommend choosing a light and dark pink.
Once you’ve chosen your respective colours, paint your nails with the lighter shade first. Once your nails are dry, create the stripes with the darker shade. If you want to create finer lines, use a paintbrush instead of the default polish brush to make your design look neater and more professional.
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Floral nails
Nothing says spring like flowers. If there were such a thing as a nail beauty pageant, this swoon-worthy design would definitely take the crown. You can achieve this look in no time with some nail polish and a toothpick. Follow this tutorial on Pinterest to unlock your covert (or obvious) artsy side.
Replicating these nails is simple: grab a toothpick and a few shades of nail polish. First, paint your nails with a light shade; nude colours work best! Now, dip your toothpick in one of the other colours and gently lay it on your nail in different directions to create a flower. The shape of the toothpick should make the petals look like a sleek raindrop. Keep repeating this until you end up with a gorgeous flower!
Swept nails
If you’re looking for something more vivacious and fun, these nails may be your soulmate. Grab a thin paintbrush and a variety of colours that scream spring: warm shades of pink, green and orange usually work best. The key to acing this look is to be confident while painting your strokes; try to create the sweep with a single swipe to avoid ending up with messy layers.
Blush nails
If done right, blush nails are downright ethereal. While they’re a little trickier to replicate compared to the other designs, they are worth the time and effort. They’re effortlessly stylish and subtly match almost every outfit. Here is a simple, in-depth tutorial you can follow on Pinterest, or follow our instructions below:
First, paint your nails with a glossy, clear polish. After they dry, grab a sponge and drop a dollop of pink or light red polish in the centre of the sponge, along with more clear polish. Dab the sponge on your nails until you get the level of pigment you want. Once complete, your nails should look blush-kissed and dazzling!
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French tips
French tips are a classic, go-to design, and for good reason. They’re elegant while remaining exuberant and lively. Whether you’re going to a beach picnic or a Model UN conference, these nails will make you look like “that girl” without even trying. As an added bonus, they’re so Barbie-core.
This uncomplicated tutorial teaches you three ways to achieve the perfect French tips. Choose which one works best for you and give it a shot. The easiest way is to use circular stickers (which you can find at any stationary shop) as a stencil and paint the tips of your nails. This will ensure your polish looks neat and that everything falls within the lines.
French tip opposites
This design is the sister of the French tip. Instead of covering only the tips, this look covers everything except the bottom of the nail. To master this look, pick up a bottle of nail polish and some circle stickers. Use the stickers as a stencil to make your nails look professional and in vogue.
Little heart nails
A personal favourite, heart nails are adorable and radiate a sense of love. This design is also easy to replicate and leaves room for creative freedom; you can watch this short tutorial to get started. Essentially, all you need to do is paint your nails with a light shade as a base. After the paint dries, dip a toothpick in some red nail polish and make small “V” shapes that should look like hearts. Once your polish dries, your nails should be ready to make jaws drop!