Aztec Blue

I’m really loving all of the beautiful aztec prints I’ve seen recently on sweaters, pencil skirts, pursues, etc. The design looks beautiful when paired with different colors like rustic earth tones, elegant black and whites or make a bold statement in bright colors. So I just had to give this design a try on my nails!

Note: I will be providing instructions on how to achieve this look with plain polish, along with Gel Polish.

Step 1: Prep Nails

View my post on Nail Polish Prep.

 

Step 2: Paint Color onto Nails

Paint the thumb, index and pinky nails with two coats of blue polish. I used the Shellac color called, Cerulean Sea. Paint the middle and ring finger nail with two coats white polish. I used the Shellac color called, Cream Puff.

Gel Polish: Apply two coats of polish. Cure 2 minutes in the UV light, or 1 minute in an LED light, in between each coat.

 

Step 3: Paint Aztec Design

Now on the middle and ring fingers I painted different aztec designs. Follow the video below to see how I painted it. (Sorry I forgot to take pictures as I went. I hope you can see the design well enough.)

(Note: I did the aztec designs with acrylic craft paint. . . Some polishes can dry almost transparent which makes the image hazy and you won’t get the wow factor you are going for.)

Here is a video of just the middle finger design . . .

Here is a video if just the ring finger design . . .

 

Step 4: Top Coat

Apply a health top coat to all the nails. Make sure the paint is completely dry before adding top coat to help avoid smearing.

Shellac: Apply top coat and cure in UV light for 2 minutes. If needed, do another application of top coat and cure in light.

 

Step 5: Allow to Dry and Apply Cuticle Oil

Allow your polish to dry completely. Apply a cuticle oil just around your nails on the cuticle and rub into the skin.

Gel Polish: Remove sticky residue on top of nails with a little alcohol or polish remover and apply cuticle oil.