The Devil Wears Prada has got to be one of my favourite movies. A) Because I’m an aspiring magazine writer (thankfully, Michelle proves that editors are sweethearts, not devils, phew!) and b) because despite her total diva attitude, I kind of love Miranda Priestly. Especially when she goes on her very valid cerulean blue rant, remember that? Her quotes are spot on, especially this one:
“Florals. For spring? Groundbreaking.”
So, okay, florals might not be the most revolutionary print for spring, but that doesn’t mean we can’t love them just the same. I say, let’s meet Miranda Priestly halfway this season; instead of wearing those May flowers in the form of shirts and skirts, DIY-them onto your nails:
This manicure is not only the cutest thing ever, but I swear I’m not lying when I say it’s so ridiculously easy, even your grandmother could it. Don’t believe me? Well, you’ll just have to try it out for yourself. Here’s how…
What you’ll need:
- A base colour of your choice (I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in White On)
- Four different polish colours for the petals (I used Essie Nail Polishes in Bikini So Teeny and First Timer; OPI Nail Lacquer in Do You Lilac It? and Zoya Nail Polish in Ali)
- A black or darker-colour polish for the dots (I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Black Out)
- A tool to make the dots—I just used a bobby pin, but you could also use a ballpoint pen, pencil or dotting tool (Quo makes a good one)
Step 1: Apply your base
Start off with two solid coats of your base colour (on top of a clear, protective base coat, that is). White is great if you really want the flowers to pop.
Step 2: Paint the petals
Next, make sure the tops of your polish bottles are unscrewed and that you have your colours in a line in front of you. Then, starting off with one colour, wipe most of the excess off the brush, and make a small swipe on your nail. You should be left with a rectangle of colour like the green on my ring finger in photo #1 below:
Repeat the strokes with the remaining three colours, overlapping them in the centre to create each flower. Once you’re done with one flower, move on to another spot on your nail and repeat the process.
Step 3: Add the dots
Before adding the dots, your nails should look something like this:
Finish the look by adding a few small dots of black in the centre of the flowers using your bobby pin (or pen, pencil, etc.).
Top it all off with a fast-drying topcoat (I swear by Essie Good to Go Top Coat) once the design is dry. Don’t forget to go over the free edge of your nail to make sure your mani is chip-proof for a couple extra days.
And there you have it—a perfect spring manicure featuring florals that the devil herself might just sport. Easy, right?
Natacha Medeiros can give you a pretty mean manicure, but she also happens to be a freelance writer based in Montreal. Check out her blog, or follow her on Twitter: @natachaxo.
So tell me:
Would you rock this floral mani?
How do you feel about nail art these days—loving it or leaning toward the classic look of one shade?
What’s your go-to nail colour this spring?
