3.31.2015

How To: Spring Faux-Marble Nails


Inspiration for my beauty tutorials comes in the most random of places. A snippet of something will inspire me with the end result being nothing related to the original idea. Today's nail tutorial inspiration comes from my dad who just passed away. Seriously--hear me out. My dad was a jack of all trades: a scuba diver, he hunted arrowheads, he played the blues harmonica, and he painted rooms and houses.

When I was back home to see him and my family a few weeks ago, I was reminded of his talent as I walked through the rooms at my Grandmother's. There's one room he painted that looks like faux marble. I've done plenty of marble nails before (see my Christmas Marble Nails for a recent example)  and traditional water marble nails can be a very tedious process. Inspired by that faux-marble wall and the spring flowers I saw back home, I wanted to share an easy version. I'm serious--this is FOOL-PROOF! And you have everything you need to recreate this.

You'll Need:
  • base/top coat
  • at least 2 polishes from the same color family (one dark and one light)
  • bit of saran wrap or tissue paper or plastic grocery bag
  • scrap piece of cardboard, thick paper, or paper plate
  • polish remover (for clean up)

Paint a base coat to protect the natural nail. Once dry, paint your darkest shade of polish and allow to dry.

Pour a little of the light polish onto your paper plate (or scrap cardboard). Scrunch up a little piece of saran wrap (cling film), or tissue paper or a plastic grocery bag. The more scrunched up the better! I like to keep my piece similar to the size of my nail so there's less clean up. Dab the section into the polish and blot off the extra polish. Then, just dab onto your nail. That's it!

Don't like the design you got? Take another piece of saran wrap and paint the original color on it. Then dab over the light color. You can also use a plain scrunched up piece to take away color. Don't over think it. Just have fun! I also like doing an accent nail in reverse colors. Sometimes I'll add 3 colors of polish for the "marble."

Extra Elle:

  • I tried the Starbucks Birthday Cake frapp--way too sweet for my sweet tooth, but I used the cream in my coffee. Win!
  • I watched the Justin Bieber Roast. I can't believe I just admitted that. It was hilarious. And completely nsfw. Did I ever tell you about the time I randomly met him on the street 5 yrs ago in Atl? 
  • Don't forget this awesome giveaway!

52 comments:

  1. These nail look fun! And I would have never thought to do that! Thanks for sharing! And that's sad you didn't like the birthday cake frap. I haven't tried it!

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  2. What perfect spring nails!

    God bless,
    XO, Claire
    Http://www.littlemissfashionqueen.blogspot.com

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  3. This is so cute and easy to do. Birthday cake frapp oh my...

    xo
    PinkSole

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  4. I love it when you do marble nails, I am way to scared to attempt! Your dad sounds like such an interesting man!!!

    Xoxo,

    Whitney & Blaire

    Peaches In A Pod

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  5. Designs and me just don't mix...even simple ones that I probably wouldn't mess up!! They look really cute!!! Love that your dad was the inspiration for the design! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

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  6. I don’t know if I’d have the patience to do this myself, but yours looks great!

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  7. Very cute and I love the fact that it is inspired by your dad. Someday you need to write about meeting the Bieb.

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  8. That's such an amazing source of inspiration - and they turned out so beautifully.


    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  9. How simple and with such a pretty result! Thanks for sharing! I will have to try this!

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  10. I absolutely LOVE this! I'm totally going to have to recreate this. As for the birthday cake frap-I think I'm the only person on the planet who thinks it sounds absolutely disgusting. Then again, I'm not a huge fan of overly sugary drinks.

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  11. I followed you on gfc! love your blog and i love this idea it looks so cute and effective, such a pretty nail colour too!:) x x

    https://instagram.com/millieerosee_/

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  12. I didn't know you met Justin Bieber! And wow, your dad really did a lot, and the marble effect on the walls, I would love to try it, but I am not that talented and also, I love your nails, but I see what you did, I read the step by step... and I don't think I can do it... actually, I do my nails (depending on the country I am) at a manicurist, because it's easier, so imagine that nice marble effect... I would spoil everything! But I will try, because I loved it!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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  13. Gah! This is such a gorgeous DIY for spring, Elle - I LOVE the effect {like Easter eggs}!

    xx

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  14. Wow - super cool looking nails! Love it!

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  15. This is so cute and looks so easy!! I need to try!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  16. This does sound full proof. I'm in need of a new nail look so I'll try this out this week.

    I tried the starbucks birthday cake drink and couldn't even finish half of it. yowza.

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  17. Great tutorial! I'm challenged when it comes to nail art, but this seems easy enough. Love the inspiration behind it, too.

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  18. This is genius! Elle you have done it again. I love it and definitely have to try it out soon.

    Kay of Pure & Complex
    http://www.purecomplex.com

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  19. What a brilliant and simple idea! I need more saran wrap anyway, haha.

    xoxo,
    little luxury list formerly Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  20. This manicure looks so pretty, Elle! Definitely one for me to try this weekend. xx

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  21. I love this. Your nails look really cool. And I will admit, I want to watch that Bieber roast. Ha!

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  22. Wow, Elle your nails look great. I will definitely try to recreate this. I meant to watch the roast too but forgot all about it.

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  23. I would have never thought to use saran wrap but the end result is beautiful! I totally DVR'ed that biebs special can't wait to watch it! ;-)

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  24. Wow, beautiful design, love this colors. *__*
    Have a nice day...

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  25. Love these nails so much Elle!! We always try to pull them off and never get it quite right. Giving it another go now for sure :)

    xx 365Hangers

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  26. What a cool design! I love that it's inspired by a room your dad painted. I tried the Starbucks birthday frapp, too, but got it without the whipped cream. I really liked the actual drink!

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  27. I've seem some awesome Pinterest Fails on this one :)
    I wanted to get the Birthday Frap & forgot... DANG IT!

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  28. That looks awesome! I tried something similar awhile back and loved it, I will have to give this a shot!
    www.amemoryofus.com

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  29. What a cool effect and a really sweet source of inspiration!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  30. I totally forgot the JB roast was yesterday! Dang. I love little nail hacks that don't require being an artist to complete. (; I think it's so special that this nail post was inspired by your dad and his painting skills. Thank you for sharing with us Elle! <3

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  31. I felt the same way about the frapp. Took my whole family to finish a tall.

    I did a marble nail using a sponge applicator but I think this will probably work better.

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  32. So cute and seems so easy! Love it! I totally want to see the roast just because a lot of fun comics were doing it.

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  33. Okayyyy, this is too cool! I love the finished manicure!

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  34. Your nails look amazing! I love it!
    Melanie @ meandmr.com

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  35. What an interesting idea, Elle! And all the creativity... wow... x

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  36. This is such a great idea! I've always wanted to try the water marble thing, but it looks a little difficult. This is a much easier way to go!

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  37. Vow i need to try the nail art technique... loved it

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  38. So going to have to try this out. I haven't been really been paint my nail much. I use it due to the funk I have been in.

    I have been hearing the birthday cake drink from starbucks is really sweet.

    www.amysfashionblog.com

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  39. Beautiful nails, and I love that they are inspired by your Dad :)

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  40. These are too cute! And thanks for telling us how to fix them if we make an error! Susan

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  41. Those nails look fabulous! I love how you used something that everyone should have laying around! I will probably watch that roast too :)

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  42. So cute! And you meet so many celebs in the ATL I'm jealous.

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  43. These turned out so great:D Where's your beauty book, Elle?!?!?

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  44. What lovely nails! I adore the marbled effect, and (of course) love the pink! :) T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  45. This looks awesome Elle! I love the pretty marbled texture. I haven't yet tried the birthday cake frap...but it does sound really sweet, but good!

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  46. Beautiful nails, my dear! So much easier (and less messy) to accomplish than the traditional way people do marble nails. :-) I'll have to try this sometime soon.

    Btw, I love BOTH of those nail polish brands :-)

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  47. I need to try this! Your nails are so pretty!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  48. This is genius Elle!!! I have got to pin this right away!

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    Replies
    1. And yes that Beiber roast was hilarious. Sorry for the double post I got a little over excited ha!

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  49. Ahh! Why didn't I see this last night when I was painting my nails for Easter?! Bummer! I'll have to try it next time. Such a cute look!

    Also... you met Justin Beiber?! Crazy!

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