From runway inspirations to one-of-a-kind designs, our picks are sure to keep you up on your nail game while giving you the 411 on how to recreate many of the looks yourself. This week, we get summertime fresh with celebrity nail artisit D.Malone of D’s on the Spot Nails, as she showcases this season’s hottest nail color in her signature abstract manicure.
The Trend: Yellow is popping up everywhere this summer in a variety of shades, from pretty pastels to electric neons. Street style fashionistas—as well as our favorite celeb trendsetters namely Rihanna, Cassie and Solange—have declared striking, yellow-hued tips, the new cool in nail accessory. Since fly nail art is all about great color and intricate details, you won’t go wrong with this chic and sophisticated manicure. Check out the details below:
Editor’s Note: While D.Malone asserts that the abstract designs may not be the easiest to recreate at home, give it a try using a fine paint brush available at your local craft store.
EBONY: How did you create this design?
D.Malone: I first applied a sticky base coat. We like Zoya Achor Base Coat ($7.99). Next, I applied two coats of Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Mellow Yellow ($2.99) to each nail. For the accent nails, I applied the yellow polish to the top half of the nail. Using a very thin nail art brush and Folk Art acrylic paint, I created a series of lines, twists and fun shapes to create the abstract designs over the yellow backdrop. This was so much fun to do because it’s not perfect. It’s kind of all over the place, but neatly and chaotically done. Go crazy and have fun drawing lines and shapes how you want. To finish the look, I applied INM Out the Door Fast Drying Top Coat ($5.49).
EBONY: Could you share any expert manicure tips?
D.Malone: Sure! Tip #1: When having a manicure, don’t soak your nails. Instead, request a dry manicure. This will allow your manicure to last longer. Nails absorb moisture, so once nail polish is applied to nails that have been wet/soaked, the polish will dry. But the nail, once it has dried, will return to its original form. The polish will no longer match the shape of your nail and will cause chipping. Tip #2: If you’d like stronger, healthier nails, be sure to drink plenty of water. Purchase hair, skin and nails vitamins as well as biotin 1000 mg. Take both regularly and you will see the growth and strength of your nails right before your eyes.
—Minajiah Scott
