Vibrant Dancing Stripes Pattern

Today, I'd like to show you a soft, feminine nail art design that you can create using a free hand painting technique. I like to call this design “Dancing Stripes.” It uses a delicate  interweaving of lissom lines to create a design which creates the illusion of motion. The lines are applied in a motley pattern that turns out differently every time.

Now it's time for you to learn how to apply this design to your own clients in a way that looks pleasing and natural.

This is a great pattern for people who are just beginning to learn how to use the free hand technique. Just follow the steps in this guide and you'll do fine! I like to use liner and nail polish with this technique but you can also use acrylic colours if you'd like.

What you’ll need: crushed shell (pink), ceramic cane (pink – round), dotting tool, top coat, nail polishes or liners.
Technique: Free Hand Painting
Skill Level: Intermediate

Now, without any further ado, let's get started with this technique!

Step 1 – First, take some ground and crushed nail art shell and mix with it with some gel to create a coloured background over the surface of the nail tip. If you'd prefer, you can also use glitter dust, super glitter dust or just about any other product that will create a pleasant looking background for your work.

Step 2 – Now it's time to apply our first accent for this pattern. I like to use a slice from a nail art ceramic cane, but really any round nail art piece can work. Just make sure that you use something that will work well with your colour scheme. My favourite type of piece to use is a nail art cane slice from our “Sweets” series.

Step 3 – Now that this is done, we can begin creating the curved lines which will make up the main part of our pattern. Gently draw the first line in a muted “S” shape as shown in the picture above.

Step 4 – Now, draw the next line using a white colour, directly flush against the first line. This second line should be slightly thinner than the first.

Step 5 – Draw another line, this time in black, against the other edge of the pink line. This line should be the same size as the white one.

Step 6 – At this point, we'll mix the design up a bit by painting a red line intersecting under the others that we've already painted.

Step 7 – Now, draw another line—this time in pink—along side the red one.

Step 8 – To further increase the complexity of the design, paint a small red line on one or both sides of the nail surface as shown above.

Step 9 – Using your dotting tool, place a few black dots around the ceramic nail art cane piece that we applied during step two.

Step 10 – Continue using your dotting tool to place another set of dots near the nail tip. Try using a red colour this time.

Step 11 – You can finish the design by adding a layer of top coat. Be very gentle in your application so that you do not smudge or disturb your design.

Alright, you're done! You've created an awesome nail art design using nothing but products that you already have in stock. And the best part is that each time you create this design, it will come out a little different. Each client will leave you with a unique and original design.

If you decide to use an alternate colour scheme, make sure that you give it some thought before proceeding. Whenever you come up with a new scheme practice it on a nail tip first before trying it on one of your clients. Once you have a few different schemes that work, you can offer your clients several options to choose from.