How to Apply Nail Tattoos
Apply a base coat and nail polish., Cut the tattoos with small scissors to fit on your nails., Wet the tattoo face-down on your nail., Hold the damp cloth against your nail for 30 seconds., Remove any excess, if needed.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Apply a base coat and nail polish.
Brush on a clear base coat.
Once it’s fully dry, brush on at least one to two coats of nail polish – allowing it to dry between coats – until you achieve satisfactory coverage.
Because the edges of temporary tattoos often have a translucent, filmy border, opt for white or light-colored polish.
This will also make a canvas for good contrast with your tattoos.
Some water slide tattoos made for nails can be used with any color. -
Step 2: Cut the tattoos with small scissors to fit on your nails.
Try using sewing scissors or nail scissors; a curved blade will work well.
Pick the pieces of the tattoos you like best, and make sure each piece will fit on one of your nails without any overlap.
At least part of your nail plate should show around each tattoo piece.
Choose tattoos with dark or colored shades and/or details, to contrast with your nail lacquer.
You don’t need to cut perfectly around the tattoo: you can cut small squares that fit onto your nails.Wait until your nails are fully dried before doing this step, so that you don’t accidentally smudge your polish. , Remove the plastic sheet from the tattoo.
Place the tattoo so that it touches your nail only, not your skin.
Use a wet cotton swab, paper towel, or cloth to dampen the back of the tattoo.
It’s fine for the tattoo to hang over the free edge of your nail.
Some water slide tattoos for nails require you to soak them first for five to ten seconds each.
You can remove tattoos from a bowl of water with tweezers, after soaking them., Press down firmly and evenly.
If the tattoo has instructions that recommend holding the moist tattoo for a longer amount of time, follow those instructions.Avoid dabbing or moving the tattoo while it sets., If the tattoo overlaps the edge of your nail, snip it off with scissors.
For a look that lasts longer, apply a topcoat.
If you’re applying a topcoat, try dabbing a tiny bit of top coat onto one of the tattoos first, to make sure it doesn’t smudge. -
Step 3: Wet the tattoo face-down on your nail.
-
Step 4: Hold the damp cloth against your nail for 30 seconds.
-
Step 5: Remove any excess
-
Step 6: if needed.
Detailed Guide
Brush on a clear base coat.
Once it’s fully dry, brush on at least one to two coats of nail polish – allowing it to dry between coats – until you achieve satisfactory coverage.
Because the edges of temporary tattoos often have a translucent, filmy border, opt for white or light-colored polish.
This will also make a canvas for good contrast with your tattoos.
Some water slide tattoos made for nails can be used with any color.
Try using sewing scissors or nail scissors; a curved blade will work well.
Pick the pieces of the tattoos you like best, and make sure each piece will fit on one of your nails without any overlap.
At least part of your nail plate should show around each tattoo piece.
Choose tattoos with dark or colored shades and/or details, to contrast with your nail lacquer.
You don’t need to cut perfectly around the tattoo: you can cut small squares that fit onto your nails.Wait until your nails are fully dried before doing this step, so that you don’t accidentally smudge your polish. , Remove the plastic sheet from the tattoo.
Place the tattoo so that it touches your nail only, not your skin.
Use a wet cotton swab, paper towel, or cloth to dampen the back of the tattoo.
It’s fine for the tattoo to hang over the free edge of your nail.
Some water slide tattoos for nails require you to soak them first for five to ten seconds each.
You can remove tattoos from a bowl of water with tweezers, after soaking them., Press down firmly and evenly.
If the tattoo has instructions that recommend holding the moist tattoo for a longer amount of time, follow those instructions.Avoid dabbing or moving the tattoo while it sets., If the tattoo overlaps the edge of your nail, snip it off with scissors.
For a look that lasts longer, apply a topcoat.
If you’re applying a topcoat, try dabbing a tiny bit of top coat onto one of the tattoos first, to make sure it doesn’t smudge.
About the Author
Christina Mitchell
Committed to making crafts accessible and understandable for everyone.
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