When I was growing up, nail polish was a privilege, not a right. Manicures were only allowed if I took out the trash and walked the dogs. (Needless to say, my nails were bare until I hit high school.)
While my folks were rather draconian in the nail department, they had zero problem with me watching The Yellow Submarine every single night, which was essentially an animated, acid-fueled trip to the Limbo Level in Inception.
I must have had a flashback, because this week’s nail design was an accidental salute to The Yellow Submarine’s eponymous mode of transportation:
Not only is this manicure insanely easy, but the color palette feels very retro, like the wallpaper from a 1970s McDonalds. It’s very easy to recreate this design at home using any color combination you desire. (Another great option would be turquoise paired with cobalt blue and mint green.)
Here are the supplies:
I’ve included a visual guide below, but there are no hard rules here. (More detailed steps below the photo.)
Clockwise from left:
1. Begin with the yellow color and paint halfway up the nail, keeping it jagged and messy. No perfection required, so feel free to have as much caffeine as you want beforehand.
2. Paint the top half of the nail the orange color, overlapping the yellow section you’ve already painted. This creates the illusion that you hunched over an artists palette mixing colors — when in reality, this is faster to finish than a Simpsons episode.
3. Take the pale pink color and drag the brush diagonally over the tip of your nail, starting from the edge of the cuticle. Just do it halfway, you’re not trying to win a Manicurist Medal.
4. Brush on some top coat, order some takeout and enjoy your summer Friday.
PS: Don’t freak if it streaks — it just looks more arty.