A Simple Nail Art Design – A Step-By-Step Tutorial

Level up your manicure and nail art game with the easy-to-follow guide.

Reviewed by Gabrielle Richens, Skin Therapist
Written by Jyotsana Rao, BE

Fact-checked by Joyce Joyson, MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) • Nov 24, 2023

A Simple Nail Art Design – A Step-By-Step Tutorial

Image: Shutterstock

A good nail art design can instantly amp up your manicure. Women and girls of all ages love nail art. Experimenting with different nail colors and designs is a great way to sport attractive nails.

Keep In Mind

Design: Design Choose a design as per occasion, outfit, makeup, or ongoing trends.For formal occasions, for nudes and pinks with subtle designs. Mix and match the nail art as per your outfit color and theme.
Preparation: Design Make sure to clean and buff your nails to get rid of the uneven nail surface and smoothen out the ridges.
Aftercare: Design Use cuticle oil, hand creams, and sunscreen to protect your nails and hands.
DIY: Design Create your own nail stickers by painting a design onto a plastic bag and letting it dry completely. Once dry, peel the design off the plastic bag and apply it on your nails.

There are various nail arts available for different looks. From simple, elegant designs to playful, funky ones, nail art is for all. There is nail art for all lengths of nails — short, medium, or long. In addition, there are several easy nail art designs that you could do by yourself at home without prior expertise.

In this article, we have mentioned one design with a step-by-step tutorial for nail sculpting to help you design short nails. It is the colorful comic pop art tutorial, which is absolutely doable in the comfort of your home. You will just need a few basic nail colors, a topcoat, and some patience for the ultimate nail decoration process!

Trivia

It is believed that the first actual nail art was from the Inca Empire (1438-1533) in South America. They decorated their nails by painting eagles on them.

In This Article

Products You Will Need

A base coat to form the first coat on your nails
A top coat to apply over the base coat
Different and bright coloured nail polishes of your choice
Black and white acrylic paints or nail varnishes
Nail art brushes or a thin brush to create nail art designs.

Remember: Acrylic paints will become long-lasting and waterproof when you apply a top coat

Stepwise Procedure

Step 1

Apply a base coat

Quick Tip

Ensure the basecoat dries completely before applying the nail polish. However, some base coat may have a tacky texture even if it dries. But, it will help the nail polish to stay without chipping.

Step 2

Now apply two coats of each different colored nail polish on your nails.

Step 3

Let them dry completely.

Step 4

Apply a layer of quick dry topcoat as this will help in removing the acrylic paint without disturbing the nail color.

Step 5

Take a white acrylic color and mix some water in it.

Step 6

With this mix, draw some spikes on your nails (this is marked as step 2 in the below picture. Fill in the spikes as shown in step 3.)

Step 7

Finally, use a thin brush to outline the spikes with a black nail color (marked in the image as step 4.)

Step 8

Follow this pattern on all your nails. You can be as creative as you can and create different designs too. Here is how it will look once you have created and filled in the spikes:

Step 9

Now write some pop words inside the explosions like BOOM! WAH, BANG, Ka-Pow, CRASH! Of course you can write any words of your choice.

Step 10

Randomly place small white acrylic dots in the remaining area.

Step 11

Do the clean up around the nails using water or a nail polish remover.

Step 12

Next, apply a layer of top coat.

And Voila you have a funky and attractive nail art for your short nails! Here is how it looks! Hope you will surely try this nail art design and don’t forget to tell us all about it. You can also add nail embellishments or nail stickers to accentuate the look. Nail stamping using fun stamps and adding over nail rhinestones might also give the nails a unique classy look!

Zey, a lifestyle blogger, shares the best way to remove nail paint off the skin from her own experience: “I find that when I try to clean up around the edges of my nail, the Q-tip just ends up removing some of the polish off my nail, too. Instead, take a shower. That will take the nail polish off your skin without removing it from your nails (i).”

Nail art is popular among girls and women of all ages. There are multiple nail art types, including acrylic nails, gel nails and more, topped with nail accessories for the most stunning looks! The right nail art design can take your simple manicure to the next level. With the wide range of designs available today, you can experiment away to your heart’s glory. If you thought your nail length was going to be a problem, don’t worry. There are different kinds of nail art suitable for every nail length out there. What’s more, with the right products and our detailed tutorial, you can easily create innovative nail art at home without the need of a nail technician or going to a nail salon.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does nail art last?

Nail art normally stays for as long as 2 weeks. However, it depends on the type of paint you choose and how well you maintain it. To maintain longevity, try nail shaping every few days.

Is nail art good for nails?

Yes, nail art or nail painting is a great way to decorate your nails and add a punch of fun. It can add stunning grace and beauty to your hands and make you look more confident and stylish.

Can nail art damage nails?

No, Acrylic paints do not damage your nails, but using the paint excessively or for long periods, rubbing nails, and scraping paint vigorously may lead to damage to nails and cuticles. So, allow your nails to be free of paint occasionally and practice effective nail care.

How do I choose the right colors for my nail art design?

Any color is fine for nail paint. However, for special occasions, you may want to match it with your dress or accessories, skin tone, or lip shade. For a casual bold look, you may try nail artistry using yellow, coral, bright red, or even black and white. When in doubt, you can play it safe with a nude shade, some nail glitter, or pink tints.