Muggle Manicures: Tutorial: Easy Polka Dot Nails!

Today I've got a tutorial for polka dot nails! This technique is really easy and is nice and simple for matching an outfit.

You will need:

A top and base coat
At least 2 different colour nail polish
a dotting tool (if you don't have one of these, a pearl head pin is a great replacement for larger dots)
A small angled brush and acetone for clean-up

Start with a protective base coat, wait for that to dry and then apply your base colour.

Get your dotting tool! You can buy a set of these really cheap from eBay. Alternatively, you can make a DIY dotting tool using a pearl head pin and a rubber-tipped pencil (tutorial here).

Drop a blob of polish onto some paper and dip your dotting tool into it.

Gently dab your dotting tool, starting in the center at the base of your nail. Continue adding dots (evenly spaced) towards the tip of your nail.

TIP: Depending on how fast drying your polish is, you may need to re-dip your dotting tool after each application of a dot. This will ensure that all of your dots are the same size. You should also be cleaning your tool regularly to get rid of any dried up polish.

Repeat this process again, but to the side of the center line of dots. This second line of dots should be evenly spaced like the first line but adjacent to the gaps left by the first line.

Continue this process on the other side of the center line.

Continue making lines of dots until you have reached the edge of your nail. Don't worry if the dots on the edge go off the edge slightly, you can clean this up with acetone and a small brush.

Fill in and gaps around the edges if you think there should be a dot there. Wait for it to dry completely and add your top coat. It's best to use a generous coat of a fast drying top coat to avoid smudging.

Here's some photos of a full polka dot mani by me!