With leopard prints making a splash at New York Fashion Week, it’s the perfect time to embrace this beloved animal print with a stylish leopard manicure! This versatile design can enhance a plain outfit or complement more vibrant patterns. Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or just want to add some flair to your everyday look, you can’t go wrong with leopard nails.
The Fit and Fab Living team has chosen a chic mauve leopard print, featuring Sally Hansen’s Commander in Chic, which pairs beautifully with almost any outfit.
What You’ll Need:
- Base coat
- Top coat
- Black polish
- A base color of your choice (we recommend Commander in Chic by Sally Hansen)
- Gold polish (we used Swing Baby by China Glaze)
- Dotting tool, toothpick, or paint brush
- Magazine, cardstock, or index card for mixing
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Apply Your Base Coat
Start by applying a base coat to protect your nails and create a smooth foundation for your polish.
Step 2: Add Your Base Color
Next, apply one to two coats of your chosen base color, Commander in Chic. Allow it to dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Create the Gold Dots
Using your gold polish, Swing Baby, take the nail brush or your own paint brush to draw a few rough dots on each nail. These will serve as the foundation for your leopard spots.
Step 4: Add the Black Outline
Now it’s time for the black polish! Using a dotting tool or a fine brush, draw parenthesis shapes around the gold dots you just created. For an extra touch of realism, feel free to add some random black marks in blank areas to mimic the organic look of leopard spots.
Step 5: Finish with a Top Coat
Once you’re satisfied with your design, seal it all in with a top coat. This will not only add shine but also help your manicure last longer.
Conclusion
Your chic leopard manicure is now complete! This stylish nail design is perfect for any occasion and is sure to draw compliments. We love hearing from our readers about the different techniques you use for your nail art designs. If you opted for a bolder base color or experimented with a new tool, we’d love to know—share your experiences in the comments below!
Happy polishing!
For more fun nail tutorials and tips, don’t forget to check out our other articles!