With Halloween just around the corner, creative nail art designs are becoming more popular. While you can do a simple search on Pinterest or Instagram to find a nail design, many are not achievable for the average amateur nail artist. This list compiles 10 super simple nail designs that you can achieve from your own house, using household items and materials that can be found at the Dollar Store for cheap.
1. Polka-Dot Edge
A simple colour accented with polka-dots can take any manicure from 10 to 100 real quick. An easy way to achieve the perfect dot it to use the end of a bobby pin or the end of a pin (the ones with the coloured ball on the end). If you don’t have any of these, the end of a pencil also works just as well.
2. Fall Colour Gradient
Gradients are my favourite nails to do, and they are super easy once you get the hang of it. My favourite method to achieve this is to use one of the triangle makeup sponges (you can get a pack at the Dollar Store), and then on the end, you draw horizontal lines of the polish, slightly blending the colours into each other. Once on, you dab it onto your nail. You have to work a bit quicker with this, so the polish does not dry.
3. Candy Corn Gradient
Following the same idea as the previous nail, you use a makeup sponge to get the gradient. To do the faces, I prefer to use acrylic paint and a thin-tip paint brush. Yep, just basic paint. By using paint, you are able to whip off the design if you mess up, without having to redo the entire nail. Just ensure that your polish base is dry.
4. Peeking Eyes
This is a fun and simple design for those who don’t want a full Halloween manicure. All it requires is black and white polish (you can also use acrylic paint for the eyes). Once painting the black base, use your dotting tool (bobby pin, pencil, needle) to achieve the eyes.
5. Purple Ghosts
These nails require purple polish, along with white and black. Once you have a purple base, you can use a paintbrush to draw on the ghosts and their faces.
6. Scarecrow French Tip
Once you have a nude polish base, apply clear tape over your nail, leaving the tip uncovered. In order for this to work, make sure your base coat is dry! Once the tape is on, take your contrasting colour and paint the tip. Once dry, use a paintbrush to add the black accent line.
7. The Great Pumpkin
For this design, paint all of your nails one colour, except for your ring finger (the accent finger). Paint a white base coat with polish, and then use your paintbrush to add a pumpkin and its stem.
8. Glitter Gradient
Following the same steps as the previous gradient, you can also apply glitter in the same way. By using a sponge, you are able to apply more glitter onto the nail without having to apply multiple layers.
9. Black Cat Tips
Use purple (or any colour you choose) as a base coat, and then use either your black polish or acrylic paint to add the cat head. Once dry, use your dotting tools to add the eyes and cute little nose.
10. Pumpkin and Stripes
Start by painting all of your nails in a solid colour, making sure your ring finger is a different colour to be the accent nail. You need a bit of a steady hand to achieve this look. One tip I can provide is that instead of moving your brush to paint the stripe, roll your finger instead. You are more likely to achieve a straight line by doing this. Once the stripes are all in place, add a little pumpkin in the corner, and you are all set to go!
I hope you have fun trying out these nail designs. If you try any of these out, tag Her Campus Windsor on Instagram, so we can see it!