October: Newspaper Nails!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Base coat
- Top coat
- Neutral colored nail polish (nude or white)
- Newspaper
- Cotton balls/pads (not pictured)
- Flash dry solution (optional)
Step One: Cut up squares of newspaper
Grab a Beacon, grab the Times, grab the Globe and go wild. Find an article you like, or maybe a fun and colorful ad or comic (Jen grabbed the Beacon’s most recent write-up of Kirk Ellis’ visit to the Emerson campus, while I decided to use an Arts Emerson promo). Now cut your chosen section into squares that are a couple centimeters bigger than your actual nails – you want to be able to completely cover your canvas, if you will, for maximum results. You’ll need ten, one for each nail. This and step two are both important to do before you start painting, so you avoid nicking your freshly painted nails later on in the process while trying to pour the alcohol.
Step Two: Ready your isopropyl alcohol
Make sure the cup, dish, or bowl you use isn’t too shallow (you need to be able to soak your whole nail), but also not too deep (I’m sure you have a bunch of red Solo cups lying around your apartment or dorm – we won’t tell – but you don’t want to be having to be plunging your hand so far down that you risk messing up your polish). Jen and I jerry-rigged a plastic cup for this part because I did my nails at work. As you do.
Step Three: Apply base coat
I cannot stress how important this step is. Applying base coat is vital for a girl who loves to do her nails. It makes the paint last longer and keeps your nails healthy and strong. Always have a good base coat on hand (we like Sally Hanson and Orly, but there are tons of great options out there).
Step Four: Apply neutral color of your choice
Jen and I found that nude works better if you want to use text, while colored ads and comics really pop on a white polish. Choose whatever you like, just make sure to apply a couple coats so you have a solid base. Now wait for them to dry (this part of the process can be accelerated by use of a flash dry solution).
Step Five: Soak your first nail
Fifteen to twenty seconds should do it, just remember that the whole nail must be submerged in alcohol for the best results.
Step Six: Apply newspaper
Gently place newspaper on your first chosen nail, then gently press down on it with an isopropyl-soaked cotton ball or pad. Jen enough was kind enough to assist me with this part (seriously, it’s a whole lot easier – and more fun! – with a friend). Apply pressure on all parts of the nail, ensuring that the entire area is covered and soaked.
Step Seven: Remove newspaper – voila!
You should now have your first newspaper nail! Repeat steps as necessary for each subsequent nail. Mess around with angles, pick out certain words you want to show the most clearly and center them (Jen managed to get “award” on her pinky; we were really proud of that one), and find ways to make these already unique nails totally personalized to you.
Step Eight: Apply top coat
Jen and I love glossy nails, and a good top coat rocks our world (Orly Glosser is a personal favorite of ours). Apply a couple coats to make sure your freshly tricked out nails don’t chip too fast – you’ll want these to last after all your hard work!
Happy painting!
Andrea and Jen