This tutorial is for Sunset Reciprocal Gradient nails, which I did for the #dreamnailschallenge on Instagram. Don't know what that is? Don't worry, I'll teach you! I hope you enjoy it!
Here are all of the products you'll be using for your manicure:
- Sinful Colors Base Coat
- SuperChic Lacquer Marvel Liquid Macro Top Coat
- Julep Brigitte (white base)
- Sally Hansen Mellow Yellow (yellow)
- Sally Hansen Fuchsia Power (pink)
- OPI I Carol About You (purple)
- Salon Perfect Cosmic Dust
- Striping tape (I got mine on eBay)
- Liquid Latex (I got mine from Amazon)
- Latex-free makeup sponge
Start off with your base coat (I'm using Sinful Colors) and then your base color (I'm using Julep Brigitte, which is a nice white creme).
While waiting for your base color to dry, apply liquid latex around your cuticles to protect your skin from the gradient that you're about to do. I get my liquid latex from Amazon in bulk and transfer it to eyeliner bottles via a plastic syringe, but I know that some people prefer fancy brand-name liquid latex products as well.
For some silly reason, I decided that it would be a good idea to only apply liquid latex on one hand, and leave the other hand to fend for itself. As a result, I had to clean up A LOT. Don't be like me! Use the liquid latex!
Prepare for your gradient by loosening all of the caps on your gradient colors. I'm using purple, pink, and yellow for my gradient - the colors of the sunset! Also prepare your sponge by cutting it in half lengthwise (like a hot dog, not like a hamburger), so that you're not wasting a good sponge and getting even more nail polish on yourself than you already are.
For your gradient, paint each color of nail polish on your sponge, as shown below.
Sponge the polish onto your nail, going back and forth a few times.
Continue painting the nail polish onto the sponge and then sponging the polish onto your nail until you are satisfied with the opacity of your colors. Then, immediately peel off your liquid latex. DO NOT let it dry, because that will make things really difficult for you later.
Apply a quick-dry top coat and let dry for at least 15-20 minutes. Then apply liquid latex again and apply striping tape in the desired pattern. I only ended up applying striping tape to my thumb nails because, well, I'm lazy.
Repeat sponging process on the nails with the striping tape, but this time, flip the colors to the opposite ends of the sponge/your nail as last time (i.e. if you put yellow near your cuticle last time, you will put it near the end of your nail this time). This is called a reciprocal gradient.
After you finish sponging on the reciprocal gradient, take off the striping tape and liquid latex as quickly as possible, before the polish dries.
Apply your holo top coat (Cosmic Dust) and your quick dry top coat, and you're done!
Congratulations, you have a beautiful sunset reciprocal gradient! Yay!!
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to comment and subscribe, as well as follow me on Instagram (@bethcruzan) and Snapchat (bethcruzan). See ya later!
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