[Cross-posted from the Birchbox Blog.]
It’s starting to feel like fall here in Brooklyn, and I couldn’t be happier. The air is cool and crisp, and I’m more than ready to trade in tank tops and crops for jeans, sweaters, and boots. Fall is brimming with nail art inspiration, so today I’m bringing the classic argyle pattern out of my closet and onto my nails. Here’s how to get this look in four simple steps.
Step 1: After applying a base coat, paint nails with the shade of your choice. To bring a metallic kick to this preppy mani, I chose tenoverten Worth, a gold foil polish. Apply a quick-dry top coat, and let your nails dry completely (I’m talking about at least an hour of drying time here).
Step 2: Cut four small pieces of Scotch tape for each nail. Apply the pieces of tape diagonally to stencil off a diamond in the center of each nail, firmly pressing down on the edges to ensure a tight seal.
Step 3: Choose a contrasting shade of polish and paint over the taped-off diamond. You have to remove the tape while the polish is still wet, so work one nail at a time. I used bubblegum-pink If You Moust You Moust from OPI.
Step 4: To complete the classic argyle pattern, use a small nail art brush or pen to paint two criss-crossing lines of white polish onto each nail, creating an “x” in the center. You can rest your elbow on the table to steady shaky hands, but don’t worry if your lines aren’t perfectly straight! After the polish has dried, apply a glossy top coat for shine and protection.
Try pastels for a classic look, or use brighter, bolder shades like these from Color Club to add a little edge.
Do you have any nail art ideas for fall? Let me know in the comments!
