Beauty: Rainbow nails
A multicoloured manicure is one of the hottest new looks and will add some fun to your fingertips – just in time for summer
Nails adorned with striped designs in bold primary pops are all over Instagram and TikTok, and are surprisingly simple to do. Nail artist Imarni, who’s manicured celebs such as Hailey Bieber, Zoe Kravitz and Kate Moss, explains how to recreate the rainbow look at home.
PREP & PRIME
Start by removing all nail varnish, before trimming and filing to your desired length and shape. Apply a clear basecoat to create a smooth and shiny base. Ideally look for a product that nourishes and strengthens so your nails will be protected while looking pretty. Leave your base to dry for a few minutes before applying any colour.
MASTER BRUSH STROKES
Imarni explains, “Use a nail art striping brush or an old fine-tip eyeliner brush to apply your first colour. Starting from the cuticle, slowly trace the brush to the tip of your nail at a slight angle to give the curve of a rainbow. Take your time and rest the little finger of your painting hand on a surface to ensure it’s steady, as this will give you a more precise line. Before applying the next colour, make sure to clean your brush with polish remover so that none of the colours blend. Repeat using all of your desired shades. Don’t worry if you have a wobble, you can always go in with a clean brush and some polish remover to tidy up any shaky lines.”
SEAL THE DEAL
Imarni says, “Once your design is dry, finish with a topcoat to seal everything in and prevent chipping. I’d always wait a few extra minutes before applying a topcoat just to be sure not to smudge your rainbow!” If you don’t feel confident enough to do the full rainbow design, you could create Gigi Hadid’s fun look (above), or try using your brush to cover just the tip of your nail instead – this will provide you with a bright colour alternative to a classic French tip.