Get The Look: Colorful Graduated Manicures

We loved this clever multicolored manicure concept in the Jen Kao Spring 2012 collection. The quirky nail art followed a “track-girl-meets-Romeo-and-Juliet” theme.

Manicurist Wanda Ruiz for CND explained, “It’s a very dangerous, lethal person with a feminine soft side.” Ruiz gave the scoop on how you can get these ombré style nails at home.

She suggests to paint your nails with CND’s deep shade Inkwell starting from the cuticle and blending out toward the center. Hit the tips with Midnight Sapphire, Anchor Blue, Rouge Red, or Green Scene, but here’s the key: put on a layer of Air Dry Top Coat while wet to diffuse the colors together for an ombré finish.

Sounds a little tricky but definitely doable just like the trendy marble nails effect. Although the given directions are a little sparse, it’s definitely still worth giving these multi-toned nails a shot. –mckenzie harris