Glitter Gradient Feather Accent Summer Nails

Summer nail art: peaches! That’s how I feel about hot summer nails! Add serious shine with glitters and a feather to smooth things out though!

This is an old-school nail art – with just one accent nail! You’ll notice a lot of accent nails lately – two (middle and ring fingernails) or even three (thumb, middle finger and ring fingernail) but I sometimes like just one accent nail, especially if I add shiny accessories like glitter or striping tape!

I painted all nails with a semi-opaque nail lacquer like the ones for French. Left just the accent nail un-covered and for the rest I added two coats of China Glaze Mimosa’s Before Mani’s. A sheer peach nail polish with even, gorgeous coverage. Before it dried out completely, I dipped just the tips in a mix of loose gold glitters – brushed off the excess and covered in generous layers of clear topcoat.

Now you’ve got just the accent nail: with a fine nail art brush I use for stripes, I drew a loosely wavy line which would be the feather’s spine, the rachis. With the same brush dipped in neon paints I added the hairs on each side. Don’t stress over it: simple, repeated moves will create brush strokes looking just like the feather’s hairs.

See also: How to do the easiest poppy nails ever!

Mix the colors of your choosing – I always like to add the strong, dark colors at the base of the nail and lighten up as I go upwards on the free tips. But you don’t have to do like me, you can find your own colors combo, just free yourself and think that not two feathers are alike, let alone two feathered nails!

Once you have your feather finished, feel free – if you like – to add golden strokes over the feather’s bristles. It makes it stick out, like a 3D painting! All that with just a brush and a couple of paint drops! Topcoat it and admire your work! Truly an artist you are – set yourself free and stop thinking you won’t get it right! Just dare to freehand, you’ll be surprised to see how easy it actually is! Don’t forget to share your experience, I’d love to hear your side of this nail art!

See also: Abstract zebra nails: easy & fabulous!