Tutorial Tuesday: Zebra Print

This week's featured tutorial, by popular request, is zebra print.

How To Choose Colors For This Design:

Typically bright or lighter colors work best as the base.  Anything that the black stripes will show up well against.  I also chose to do an accent nail with silver sparkles, but that's totally optional!

Suggested Materials:

ANY brand is fine, listed below are the ones used for this particular mani

- Base coat - Seche Clear

- Top coat - Seche Vite

- Base color - Sinful Colors "Fusion Neon"

- Any brand of black nail art striping brush
- Accent nail color - Opi "Crown Me Already!" (optional)

- A clean, small paintbrush or cotton swabs, for cleaning the cuticles afterwards (optional)

- Nail polish remover (optional)

Before You Begin Painting Your Design:

These steps are optional, but definitely recommended!

- Put down some paper towels in your work area, in case of any spills.

- Be sure to remove any old nail polish.

- Gently file nails into desired shape and remove any ridges with a buffer.

- Push back cuticles with a cuticle pusher or orange wood stick and trim if desired.

- Apply a base coat to protect from potential staining from color polish; wait for it to dry completely.

 Step 1:

Apply 2 coats of base color and allow to dry.

 Step 2:

Using the nail art striping brush, start from the outer edge of the nail and pull a line inwards.

The line should be thicker on the outer edge and thinner towards the middle.

I also find it easier to start in the middle of the nail and work outwards, this way you don't run out of room quickly.

 Step 3:

Using alternating directions, begin to pull lines above and below the first stripe.

If you want to, you can just repeat these steps until the nail is done.

If you are comfortable working with the striping brush, proceed to the next step. 

 Step 4:

To make your zebra print look a little more realistic, you can start varying your stripes.

You can do some imperfect sideways V or Y stripes, or pull some stripes completely across the nail.

 Step 5:

Continue working towards the top and bottom edges, using slightly smaller and shorter lines, until the nail is full.

 Step 6:

This final step is completely optional, but it will really help to achieve a neat & clean looking mani.

You can use either a small paintbrush or cotton swab, dip it in nail polish remover, and use it to remove any excess polish on your cuticles and skin.

Be careful not to use too much remover, otherwise you will risk ruining your design.

 Finish off with a top coat, and you're done!

For all past Tutorials click here