Nail Art: Christmas Gift Boxes

I know it's not yet December, but I submitted this nail art design to a nail art contest that asked participants to paint our nails that depicts our favorite part of the holidays. I'd like to share this with you. I chose Christmas and since I belong to a non-traditional family, I find that gift wrapping is one of the ways I can express my creativity (aside from nail art) during this joyous season. Yes, we really don't decorate. :)

And so I came up with this nail art design:


Christmas gift boxes nail art!

I just realized that I'm into a multi-colored nail art phase! My previous Caronia Butterfly Nail Art also had a different shade of nail polish per nail! Hmm, I think my mood is trying to cheer me up through my current nail designs. I wanted to create something simple but lively that's why I opted to paint each nail a different color. The colored the bow the same shade on all nails to have something constant. I felt having different colors for the bow will make the design confusing.


From left: Orly Cherry Bomb, Sally Hansen Emerald City, OPI The Show Must Go On, and L.A. Colors Wave Length. I used Dashing Diva Lightening Ray for the bow. All in 2 coats.


From left: Caronia Lounge, OPI Rising Star, China Glaze Blue Sparrow, and L.A. Colors Metallic Pink. Everything in 2 coats except for the Caronia Lounge which I thought needed 3 coats.


From left: Orly Solid Gold and Elianto Indigo Shine. Each applied in 2 coats.
Yes, apparently I really have big thumbnails!

Tutorial for Christmas Gift Boxes nail art:


1. For the gift boxes, I started out with painting a line from edge to edge of the nail, as if you're doing a french manicure. This will serve as your guide for painting your boxes. I find this an easier technique than to apply the polish normally using downward motion.






2. I then proceeded to painting the lower part of my nail from the guide to my tips.











3. Next, I drew the center of the ribbon with white acrylic paint. I use this method whenever I'm working on a non-white base so that the color I wanted to use for the design will pop out and not mix with the color underneath it.







4. I then continued by drawing an outline of the ribbon itself with white acrylic paint, making sure it would cover most of my nail width. I find that having an outline makes it easier to shade an entire shape. It is also easier to fix than creating a solid shape immediately.







5. My next step is shading the ribbon to make a solid white base.











6. When the white base is completely dry, I painted over it my chosen color -- silver, with a blotting motion. As I mentioned in my previous nail art tutorials, I find this effective in making the color more opaque.







7. Finally, I outlined the ribbon with black acrylic paint to give it details.










A friend suggested I should have placed gift wrapper patterns to add twist to this Christmas nail art. So why I didn't actually confuses me! It was a brilliant idea! Perhaps if you'd try this nail art, you might consider my friend's suggestion.


I find this nail art sweet and classy. What do you think?

Note: I submitted this nail art as an entry to Give The Gift of ... Nail Polish! Nail Art Contest. If you have time, do check out all the other fabulous entries!





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