Animal prints are timeless–and leopard print is always on-trend, whether you wear it on swimsuits, casual dresses, activewear, or even on your nails! The perfect way to refresh the design? With a little negative space and a bit of gold, of course!
Sometimes less is more, so try a touch of leopard print in a swoop design to make a subtle, fresh statement this season. Here’s what you’ll need and how to paint leopard nails the modern way!
Step 1: Prep and file your nails to your desired shape.
Step 2: Apply a thin layer of base coat.
Step 3: Apply 2-3 coats of sheer white nail polish as your base shade and let it dry.
Step 4: Dot a small puddle of gold nail polish on a surface (I like to use a piece of foil). Using either a dotting tool with a small end or a small nail art brush, dip into the gold polish and make a small abstract-shaped blob on your nail. Just don’t apply too much pressure on the tool as it could drag your base shade. Repeat a few times, keeping within a slightly diagonal shape on the side of the nail and a bit of space between each blob.
Step 5: Next, dot a small puddle of black nail polish on a surface, then grab your tool and dip into the black polish. Create alternate “C” shapes around the gold blobs, tracing the abstract shape’s edge. The “C’s” will not connect–make sure there are still gaps between them. Then, in some of the bigger gaps between your blobs, place some small black dots.
Step 6: Make sure to clean your nail art tool in a bit of acetone and on a paper towel periodically. This ensures the polish doesn’t get gloopy and messy. Be sure to repeat this process with each nail.
Step 7: Let the leopard spots dry, then apply a glossy top coat.
Step 8: To finish, cap the edge and apply cuticle oil!
Did you try this leopard nail design? Show us on Instagram @Lulus using #lovelulus and head to our Animal Prints edit and new Essie Nail Polish offering for more!
Melanie Graves is a self-taught nail art enthusiast who loves to create colorful, and easy DIY designs for the fellow home manicurist.
(This post was originally published in 2014 and has been updated with new content.)
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Wow, thanks for a great idea! I was thinking that this design will perfectly match a Cave Woman Halloween costume and thus decided to include your design into my Ultimate Guide: Halloween Nails together with additional 49 nail art designs. Check them out here: http://stylesprinter.com/ultimate-halloween-nails-guide/
What nail polish did you use as the base?
The base color here is "Mein Herr" by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.
why cant your website show the pictures too me
What kind of nail polish do you use as the base? I use Rejuvacote 1 https://duri.com/product-category/nail-growth/. Just perfect for nail growth. I'm very pleased with the results.