nail art: ombre cake, ombre nails

This gorgeous ombre layer cake by Francina Stewart of Brooklyn’s One Girl Cookies was just begging to be recreated in nail art. And when a cake calls to me, I can’t resist.

Ombre or gradient nails can be intimidating, but done step-by-step, they’re quite simple.

First, select four polishes in varying shades of the same color. From lightest to darkest, I’m using Essie Pink-a-Boo, China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, Color Club Jackie Oh!, and Essie Sure Shot. I’m starting with OPI Natural Nail Base Coat today.

Paint a vertical stripe of the lightest color down one side of all 10 nails. My lightest pink is quite sheer, so I needed two coats. Continue by adding a vertical stripe of your second shade right next to your lightest shade. It’s okay if they overlap a bit – by painting from light to dark, you’ll be able to go slightly over your lines without any trouble. Continue with your third and fourth colors.

While horizontal stripes would be difficult to achieve without taping off sections, vertical stripes can be done fairly easily freehand. My stripes were roughly the width of the nail polish brush, except for my pinky finger where I turned the brush on its narrow edge.

Let your polish dry, and finish with a top coat! I used Sally Hansen No Chip Acrylic Top Coat.

Don’t worry if your nails are a little messy at first – mine certainly were! Just dip a Q-tip or eyeliner brush in remover and carefully clean up the edges. I also like to dip an eyeliner brush in remover and run it along the cuticle line to smooth out the varied strokes. If you don’t want to risk messing up your mani with remover, just wait until you take a shower – the heat and steam will help any excess polish on your skin rub right off.

You can have your cake and eat wear it too!