Color Blocking Polka Dot Nails Tutorial

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias®  and COTY.

As a mom, I overanalyze and feel guilt about pretty much everything I do. This includes how I spent my money and splurging on myself is pretty much a no go.

You can only imagine the guilt I would feel if I did something entirely for myself and get a professional manicure! So when I find the time, I like to treat myself by  painting my own fingernails and toenails. And I browse boards on Pinterest and look at how creative at color blocking some people can be with the right tools. Even if it’s just a couple of bottles and some tape. But until this week I had never tried out any of the fun designs that I kept eyeing up – I’ve kept continuing with solid colors.

I figured to provide a little relaxation and guilt free mommy pampering, I’d treat myself to a manicure at home. But first I’d need some supplies. So I packed up my girls (my children, not girlfriends) and headed to Walgreens to see if I could recreate some of the fun designs I saw on Pinterest.

It’s been awhile since I’ve shopped for nail polish and I was pretty bewildered with the massive selection of options for nail art these days. There were polishes in every color imaginable, nail pens, overlays, decals – you name the design and Sally Hansen likely offers it.

When I entered the store, I was overwhelmed with options and just couldn’t decide which color blocking direction I wanted to go. Should I do sweet stripes, polka dots, an ombre look? With the help of my 4 year old, I ended up with six new polishes and two nail pens to kickstart my foray into the world of nail art.

As any mom knows, the spa like allure of painting your nails at home shifts somewhat when you have a daughter. A daughter who, while a tomboy in some areas, seriously loves having her nails painted bright, sparkly shades. So before I even started on my own nails, I painted Cakes’ doing something I rarely do…allowing her to choose a different color for each and every finger on her hand.

She was instantly content and in love with the bright, summery new shades she was sporting. Until she spied the nail art pens that is. After examining the pictures on the box, she decided she wanted different designs on each nail as well. While some like the stripes and plaids were easy, with her tiny nails others were more difficult like the butterfly. And yet others were completely impossible like Cakes’ request for a dog.

Even after pouring over Pinterest, stocking up on Sally Hansen nail products, and experimenting with Cakes’ nail designs I still didn’t know what I wanted for my own nails. Usually I don’t even paint them but I’ve been trying to stop biting my nails {again} and keeping them painted and stylish has worked in the past.

After a lot of indecision, I ended going what I knew I could pull off with my shaky hands and short nails. I opted for painting my nails Fuschia and using the Sally Hansen Nail Pen to add polka dots. I love the look! It’s so different and eye catching but not too over the top.

Color Blocking Polka Dot Nails:

1. First apply, Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base and Top Coat.
2. Apply two coats of Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Fucshia Power.
3. Allow polish to dry completely before applying polka dots using the Sally Hansen Nail Art Pen in White.
4. Set your beautiful nails with a top coat to lock everything in place!

The morning after our manicures, Cakes’ couldn’t wait to show off her freshly painted nails to her teachers and friends at school. They all oohed and aahed and after taking a peek at my nails, I think were a little impressed and encouraged to do something for their own. One of the teachers mentioned having a spa day at preschool!

I chose the colors I did so it would go with almost anything. These fun polka dot nails would be a fun pop of color and could pair beautifully with any of the outfits I found on Pinterest. These nails can work with just about lifestyle and can be worn to lunch, church, or to my my first blogging conference, the SoFabCon, in a couple of weeks!

Have you tried color blocking your nails?