Glamrock St. Patrick's Day Mani!

St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, so today I have for you a tutorial for a glamorous shamrock manicure.  It's fairly simple and you can modify it so many ways that you can really make it your own.  For this design you will need:

Materials

I originally intended to use black but
then later decided against it.

• Medium to dark green polish
• Gold polish
• Irridescent or shimmery gel polish (optional)
• Tape
• Dotting tools
• Base and top coat

After applying your base coat, apply your base color.  For this design I used China Glaze's Rainbow.  This is optional but I wanted something that added a little shimmer to the nail without being a strong color.  This did the trick very nicely (I really don't feel the pictures does this color any justice).  For my accent finger, in this case my ring finger, I applied Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Go for Gold.

China Glaze - #137 Rainbow & Sally Hansen - #120 Go for Gold

Let that dry completely before continuing on to the next step.  If you are in a rush or very impatient like me, apply a quick drying top coat and some drying drops to speed up the process.
   

This is what you should have after applying your base colors.

This is what happens when you get
a pocket under your tape.

Once your polish is completely dry tape of the tip of all your fingers excluding your accent finger leaving your tips exposed.  Use whatever tape you like as long as it doesn't ruin your polish.  I used scotch tape because its inexpensive and it doesn't leave a thick ridge.  Make sure that your tape is pressed down firmly and that there are no little pockets for polish to get into.

 

Tape all of your fingers before you start painting this will save you from having a few oopsies.

Paint your tips with your green polish. For my design I used Revlon's - #330 Emerald. Give a few seconds for the polish to set (don't wait too long though) and remove your tape.

If you are anything like me you will probably have to do a little clean up around the cuticle area.  Simply take a q-tip dipped in acetone or nail polish remover and rub off any excess polish on your skin.

After you've removed the tape it time to add some little gold coins to our green french tips.  Using a medium to small dotting tool dipped in gold polish make a row of dots across your green tip, spaced slightly apart.  Repeat on all green tips.

I preferred to start in the middle and then dot on either side.

With tips completed it's time to do the accent finger.  Add a cute shamrock shape by drawing four hearts with their points, pointing to each other with your green polish.  You can either connect them at the points or leave a little space.  I decided I liked it better with a little space.  I drew the hearts using a medium to large dotting tool.  Dot two dots relatively close together and then create a v-shape connecting the two dots, this gives you a heart shape.

Don't forget to apply a top coat when you are happy with your design, to protect your design and add a little extra shine.

Whether you want to show a little St. Patty's Day spirit at work or school, or you want to head out to the pub this Glamrock manicure has got you covered.  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Your Fellow Plebe,

P.S. ~ Be safe and responsible, this St. Patty's.  Don't drink and drive, better yet volunteer to be the D.D.  Everyone will appreciate you for it.