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A couple of years ago, social media was taken by storm by a new trend called “Ombré”. What began as a hair trend is now influencing every market as Ombré can be found on clothes, shoes, handbags, hair, and, of course, nails! So, I have provided a guide on how you can do Ombré nails with gel polish
To achieve Ombré nails, you will need at least two different colors to place on your nails. Place one color from the midpoint toward the cuticle of your nails then place the other from the midpoint to the tip of your nails. Then use a clean Ombré brush to blend the colors in one direction, from darker color to lighter color.
I will give you a complete guide on how to get the Ombré nails like a pro using gel nail polish. I will also provide you with different methods to achieve it, tips to select a color, some dos, and don’ts, as well as some Ombré nails inspiration.
Table of Contents
How to Do Ombre Nails?
Ombré nails have been around for a very long time. Initially, this style was called “The natural”. Now along with Ombré, we hear words like gradient nails, baby boomer, fade nails, etc.
But don’t get confused. All of these are known to produce a similar effect, in which one color transitions into another.
When it comes to mixing shades there is no limit to what we can achieve. This is mainly the reason why everyone started to DIY the Ombré nail look. Many people failed, while many succeeded.
You can achieve the perfect Ombré look at home, without any professionals. All you have to do is follow some simple steps.
What you will need:
- A transparent base coat
- An opaque usually white or light pink base color
- Two to three gel nail polishes for an Ombré effect
- An Ombré brush or a sponge
- A top coat
- LED Lights for curing
- Nail barrier or liquid latex for easier cleanup
- Acetone
Choose The Method
There are several ways to get your perfect Ombré nails using regular nail polishes, acrylic colors as well as dip powders. In this guide, we will learn how to work with Gel polishes. They might be a little tricky to work with; however, they can be used to achieve one of the most beautiful-looking Ombré effects.
In this article, we will discuss the two most famous as well as efficient ways to get Ombré nails that include the use of gel polish.
Method 1: Using an Ombré Brush to create the Ombré nails
There are many available in the market. These brushes are specially designed for Ombré nails. They tend to be thick and dense in the bottom. Towards the end, they are delicate and extremely fine.
These brushes help avoid any bubble forming. Ombré brushes give a cleaner look compared to other methods that we will discuss later. If you are someone who has steady hands and prioritizes very neat and smooth Ombré nails, this method is perfect for you.
Step 1: Prepare the nail
First and foremost, you need to get rid of any previous nail polish that is on your nails. Clean your nails thoroughly with a nail polish remover. You want to get rid of any oils as well.
With that, buff your nails to remove the natural shine. Next, you need to push back your cuticles. You can go ahead and remove any dead skin using the cuticle remover if you are comfortable and you feel there is a need.
Step 2: Apply the base coat
Start with a clear base coat. You do not want to miss this step because of two reasons.
A base coat helps protect your nail, nourishes it as well as helps the nail paint to last a lot longer than usual. Cure the base coat for about 1 minute under the LED light. With that, you can go for another base color that is opaque white or light pink.
This step is optional however it makes a huge difference to the overall look. We recommend using a white base coat. This is because a white coat will make all the other colors that are used over it, pop.
Bonus Tip!
If you want to protect your natural nail bed and strengthen it, you can use builder gel. Use a thin layer and then cure that as well for a couple of seconds. All the filing and buffing you do after builder gel will protect your natural nail beneath it.
This step is completely optional as well. People, who have been doing at-home manicures for years, swear by this step as it has helped them keep their nails from breaking.
Step 3: Pick your gel polish colors
If you are a beginner, we recommend going with lighter colors.
Do the classic pink and white fade known as the French fade, if you are starting. You can go for glitter gel polishes too. They are easier to work with, especially with a brush.
Step 4: Paint the nails
Apply one shade on the nail from top to halfway down the nail. You can apply a second color that is the darker color on the tip.
Remember!! DO NOT cure after this step as you have to blend the colors.
Step 5: Blend with the brush
Take your Ombré brush and lightly bring the color that is on the tip upwards and towards the cuticles. Do not rush! You have to use very light strokes.
Keep cleaning the brush while you are blending the darker shade. With that, make sure your brush is dry and the bristles are separated and wispy. This takes time so we recommend you pick a day when your patience level is high! Lastly, cure them.
Step 6: Finish it off with a topcoat
Use your favorite top coat to seal and blend everything in.
Method 2: Using a sponge to create Ombré nails
Step 1: Prepare the nail
Cut your nails to the desired length, file them and remove the dead cuticle skin. Do all the steps required to get the nail bed ready.
Step 2: Apply the base coat
Use clear coats as well as colored coats. Nail artists suggest you use the base coat even if your nail polish has a base coat added to it.
Step 3: Cut the sponge according to your desired size and shape.
Try your best to cut the sponge in the shape of the nail to avoid messing up the surrounding areas. But don’t worry you can always clean the skin later.
Extra Tip*
To avoid mess use nail barriers. They come in different types. You can use tapes as well as liquid latex that can be peeled off later.
Step 4: Select your colors and apply them to the sponge
Now take your sponge and apply two layers of your favorite gel nail polishes.
Both stripes need to be applied parallel to each other. While applying, make sure the stripes are thin or thick according to the size of your nail. Do a rough measurement.
I recommend applying thick layers simply because you have a barrier and you can clean the surroundings later. If you are using three colors put the lightest shade first, and then apply the darker shade and finally the darkest. The edges of every stripe should connect.
There can be a slight overlapping as well. This will help create a smooth transition on the nail. Finally, make sure that the gel polish is not wet but a little dried. When the colors are a bit absorbed in the sponge, that’s when you know you start your next step.
Step 5: Blot the sponge on the nail.
It is time for the most fun part of the whole process i.e. blotting the colors onto the nail. Dab it gently till you see the colors are being transferred. Repeat the steps a couple of times.
Let the nail color dry, then go ahead and apply the nail paint on the sponge and repeat the process. You might want to do it a couple of times until you get your desired color. You can press a section of the sponge on the nail to get that color.
Just play around until you get exactly what you initially visualized. Make sure you let the nail dry before you put another layer. Cure the nail in between intervals.
Tip: Wet the sponge and remove excess water. Apply the colors on the wetted sponge. We do this because the sponge tends to absorb the nail paint leaving nothing to be transferred.
Furthermore, a dry sponge can take off the previous layer. To avoid that, we use a wet sponge to achieve a flawless layer.
Step 6: It is the Time for the Top-Coat!
Let’s agree on the fact that this step is the most satisfying step among all the others. This is when you apply a top coat and see all the colors blending in leaving a smooth and seamless finish. You can apply two layers of topcoats if you wish to.
There you have your glossy and shiny Ombré nails.
A Simple Guide for Selecting Colors
When starting with this trend, we advise you to go for light colors as they are easier to blend and mistakes are likely to be hidden. “Glitters are a great pick for beginners”- says professional nail technician Suzie from Nail career education. You can work your way to mixing darker shades when you get the grip on the basics.
Although there are no boundaries on how creative you can be when picking colors, we recommend keeping the color theory in mind. Pick colors that are closer to each other on the rainbow. Or pick two shades that add up and become a different color that you prefer.
For summers, people tend to go for neon shades as well as light-toned colors. On the other hand, dark shades such as maroons, black, and navy blue tend to be popular during winters. Matte shades are also preferred during the cold season.
You can go for glittery gold and silvers for festivals like New Year. Reds are perfect for Christmas. You can even go a step ahead and decorate your nails by adding pearls.
You can create designs like stars and dots with a thin brush. You can also make your nails sparkly by sticking glitter chunks onto them with help of a topcoat.