Instead of nail stickers and nail embellishments, we love nail water decals! They are affordable, last a long time, don’t flake off or fall off, and they come off super easily with nail polish remover. Just like temporary tattoos we used to put on when we were little, these water decals work the same way. If you’re unfamiliar with these decals, we’re going to show you how to put them on with this nail art tutorial! We used some neon nail water decals and we absolutely love how it looks over white nail polish. Check out our tutorial below! 😉
You’ll need: Nail water decals, a tool to pick up your decal, base coat, top coat, white nail polish, scissors and a container filled with a little water
Step 1: Protect your natural nails with a base coat. This will prevent the nail polish from staining your nails and will allow the colour to adhere for a longer period of time without chipping. Wait for it to dry completely.
Step 2: Paint all of your nails white. White nail polish can be a little tricky to work with because every little mistake will look very apparent. So, take your time with this. We painted on two thin coats to make sure the colour is completely opaque. Wait at least 15 minutes for the nail polish to set.
Step 3: Now, go through all your nail water decals and decide on the ones you want to use. Then, cut them out.
Step 4: Take one piece and measure it against your nail to roughly estimate how much you need to snip off. Then, cut out a piece that would fit nicely according to the size of your nail. You don’t have to be super exact with this.
Step 5: Remove the plastic film from the little piece and submerge it in water for about 15 seconds. You’ll notice that the decal will slide right off the white backing. Pick the decal up with your tool of choice. We chose an orange stick.
Step 6: Carefully place the decal on your nail with the tool and quickly move the decal about so that it sets exactly where you want it to. Press it down firmly when you’re happy with it.
Step 7: Take your time and repeat steps 4 to 6 to cover up all your nails! Remember, your nail art will look better if the design on every nail varies, so you don’t have to be making sure they all look the same. It is a little time consuming, but the final look is so worth it!
Step 8: When you’re done with both hands, seal all your hard work with a top coat, wait for it to dry completely and you’re done! If you’ve made a mess with the white nail polish, you can clean up around the edges with a cotton bud and some nail polish remover.
Essentially, you can do a similar kind of nail art with any nail water decal designs. We were lucky enough to stumble upon this cute neon one, but you can find nail water decals at any local beauty supply stores near you. Good luck! 😉