Sponged Ombre (by request of CKin2u)

Hey Dolls! Here we are, my first tutorial!  I had a request for a pink ombre tutorial, this isn't exactly what she was looking for, but it gives you the right tips and tools to be creative with your own style of ombre! (Love you Charlene!)

Let's hop to it!

I'm sure I don't have to go over the basics of nail polish application. I'm sure everyone knows to start with clean, dry, oil free nails. Make sure you've washed off all the cuticle oil, and run a q-tip  with just a little nail polish remover to remove excess dirt and oil.




First, I applied a base coat to protect my natural nails from yellowing and staining.
Here, I am using Sally Hansen  strenghtening Base Coat. Just one coat'll do ya.

Wait until your base coat is completely dry before moving on to the second step.

The sponge I am using is just a bath sponge that I bought from Walmart for less than $2. It's a GIANT poof sponge that I cut into small squares and pulled an orange stick through the middle. It doesn't have to be cut perfectly, unless you are looking for an absolutely perfect look. The orange stick is completely optional, you can hold the sponge,  but keep in mind it may seep through the sponge and get onto your finger nails..and what's the point of that. As for the sponge you can use any type of kitchen or bath sponge.

Once you have your sponge ready dab a drop or two of your first nail polish on a piece of plastic or paper. Here I am actually using the back of a metal stamping plate. Dip a corner of your sponge into the nail polish. If you've picked up too much nail polish lightly tap a piece of paper until you reach your desired consistency.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

If this is your first time don't be surprised if you are messy, get nail polish all over your fingers, or if it just doesn't turn out the way you had pictured in your head. "If at first you don't succeed..."

Lightly tap a coat of white polish over 3/4's of your nail. Leaving just a little bit of your natural nail showing. Here I am using Sinful Colors-Snow Me White (#101).

It doesn't have to be perfect, remember you aren't going for a straight line, you want it to look like you are using a sponge. Also don't be concerned if you get polish on your nails, that's why god created nail polish remover.

After your white has completely dried, move on to the next color.

The good thing about the sponge technique is that you aren't using a ton of nail polish, so it won't be too thick to dry, and you can basically add on as many layers and colors as you'd like. If you are just starting out try using just two and then work your way up to a full rainbow.

Next, I am using Sinful Colors-Bikini (#1101) leave just a little of the white showing and sponge your new color over the rest of your nail, toward the tip of your nails.

Let dry and do the same for your next shade.

Next I used Sinful Colors-Dream On (#113). Now you'll notice I jumped from the lighter shade into a deeper shade, this is normally not what you would do to achieve an ombre look. Ombre is basically a fading of colors, I went with more of a top and bottom ombre with a purple stripe. This step is optional.

Finally for the tips I used OPI-Pink Friday from the Nicki Minaj line.

When your entire nail is dry to the touch you have two options:

I applied Sinful Colors-Pinky Glitter (#830) I applied it all over the nail to give it a very pretty sparkle affect, the pink glitter subtly changes the white into a very opaque pink. And everybody loves sparkles!

When everything is dry use your favorite top coat to seal and protect your art. I just so happened to have run out of my favorite top coat, so I am using Sally Hansen Insta-Dri top coat. This tends to be very thick so apply lightly.

Now that your nail polish is completely dry, it's easy to clean up the excess that stuck to your skin. Just run a q-tip soaked in nail polish CAREFULLY around your nails, being very gentle as to not remove all your hard work.

VOILA!! A gorgeous Sponged Ombre look!

I hope you enjoyed my very first tutorial. Many more to come! If you have any requests, tips, suggestions or questions, feel free to comment here, or shoot me an email using the link on my about.me page. www.about.me/caryncarez

Don't forget to bookmark, add me on facebook, follow me on twitter all the usual jazz. You'll find all my links on the about me page above.

Oh! P.S. I did a little accent nail on my ring finger just to spice it up a lil!

Thanks for stopping by! Let me see your sponged ombre design!

<3 Care.