French Gradient

 

• Apply a base coat.
• Apply the lightest of the two shades you've chosen, and let dry.  I am using 479 from Kiko Cosmetics.

• Cut the makeup sponge you're using so it's a little bigger than your nail.  Swipe it so that it's saturated with the darkest colour across the top and then directly under it with the lightest.  The bottom of the sponge will remain dry.  The dark shade I'm using is I Want S'More from Drip Drop Nail Paint.

• Dab quickly over the tip, aligning the top of the sponge with the tip of your nail.  You will have to pause several times to reapply polish or to switch to a new sponge; this is so the material of the sponge does not pull apart and leave little bits in your manicure.

• Work until you have a gradient you like on each nail.
• Apply a quick dry top coat and let dry.

You can end here for a simple sophisticated manicure!

Or you an go one step further and add a design using a stamping plate.

• After the top coat is dry, pick an all over design.  The motif I picked is open enough that the lightest base shade will still be dominant.
• Using the dark shade you used for your tips, use this as the polish you stamp the design with, this will make it appear as if the motif is disappearing into the dark tip of your nail!  I am using a design from Bunny Nails plate A.
• Tidy up, if required!

If you're inspired to try any of my designs, please don't forget to tag them #00Inspired on IG!