Sophia Delgado
Drip nails are a fun and creative way to make your nails stand out. The trend has taken over Instagram and has been spotted on celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, Demi Lovato, Zendaya, and Kesha. The design is versatile and can be adapted to suit any occasion, whether it's Halloween or a summer outing. The most common technique to create a drip effect is by using a dotting pen, thin brush, or toothpick to drag polish from the centre of the nail towards the cuticle or tip. The design can be done with any nail polish colour, but it is recommended to use a matte base colour that contrasts with the colour of the drops for a more striking look.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Dotting pen, thin brush, toothpick, nail lamp, nail stamp, nail polish palette, nail tape |
| Preparation | Trim, shape, and buff nails |
| Base coat | Matte or contrasting shade for drips to stand out |
| Drip colour | Any colour or combination of colours, including glitter |
| Technique | Place dots and drag polish towards cuticle or tip, taper lines, fill in dots and connect with curved lines |
| Top coat | Glossy or gel polish |
| Alternative method | Cut drip shapes into nail tape, mask nail, paint over tape, and remove tape |
| Creative method | Paint squares of polish on a non-stick surface, trim into droplets, press onto nails, and seal with a top coat |
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Prepare your nails
If you want something bolder, but subtle enough for everyday wear, try dark reds or blacks with silver accents. You can also experiment with pastel-coloured melting nails, neon drips on nude nails, or glitter and foils for a more extravagant look.
Once you've applied your base coat, you can add two coats of your chosen colour or colours. Let them dry completely before moving on to the next step. You can speed up the drying process by using a nail lamp.
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Use a dotting tool
To create drip nails using a dotting tool, start by painting your nails with a base colour of your choice. If you want the drips to stand out and look wet, use a matte base in a shade that contrasts with the colour of the drops. Once the base is dry, you can begin creating the drip effect.
There are several household items that can be used as a dotting tool to create the drip effect:
- Bobby pin: Pull the bobby pin open and dip one end in nail polish. You can also cut the plastic coating off and use that end to form neat dots.
- Straight pin: Hold a straight pin from your sewing kit carefully to avoid the shake and apply as required.
- Paintbrush or makeup brush: Flip the brush over and use the end to create dots.
- Ballpoint pen: Dip the end of a ballpoint pen, with or without ink, into nail polish and apply as needed.
- Toothpicks: Dip the tip of a toothpick into nail polish and press it onto your nail to create a dot. You can cut the toothpick to get varied dot sizes.
When using a dotting tool, you can either dip it directly into the nail polish bottle or create a puddle of polish on a separate surface to dip into. To create a puddle, you can use items such as paper plates, paint palettes, aluminium foil, or a piece of paper.
Once you have your dotting tool and nail polish ready, place a few dots on your nail and drag the polish toward the cuticle or tip, depending on your preference. Taper the lines to make the drips look realistic. Finish by filling in the dots and connecting them with curved lines, if desired. Complete the look with a glossy top coat to make the drops glisten.
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Create a 3D effect
To create a 3D effect on your drip nails, you can use builder gel, emboss gel, gem sealer gel, or a glossy transparent top coat. These liquids will give your nails a 3D water droplet effect.
First, prepare your nails by pushing back your cuticles, filing your nails to create a rough texture on the nail plate, and sanitising thoroughly. Then, apply a thin coat of a base colour of your choice and let it dry completely.
Next, grab your favourite nail art brush or dotting pen and get ready to create the 3D effect! For a more realistic look, create droplets of different sizes. If you want the drips to stand out and look wet, use a matte base in a shade that contrasts with the colour of the drops. Dip your chosen tool into the drip colour and place a few dots on your nail. Drag the polish toward the cuticle or tip, and taper the lines to make the drips look realistic.
If you want to add more depth, wait for the first drops to dry and then add 1-2 additional droplet layers. Finally, cure the drops in a nail lamp if you're using gel, or let the nail lacquer dry completely before applying a top coat for extra protection.
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Add sparkle
Drip nails are a fun and creative way to express yourself, and adding sparkle to them can make them even more eye-catching and unique. Here are some detailed tips to achieve this look:
Prepare Your Nails
Start by cleaning your nails with a gel cleanser and wiping them down with nail polish remover to ensure they are free of any old polish, dirt, and oils. Trim and shape your nails to your desired length and style using clippers and a nail file. If needed, gently push back your cuticles with an orange stick or a cuticle pusher. You can also apply a ridge filler if your nails are uneven to create a smooth base.
Apply a Base Coat
It is important to create a strong foundation for your glitter drip nails, especially if you want to avoid chipped polish. Apply a thin coat of pre-gel primer and let it air dry for about 30 seconds. Then, brush on a thin layer of gel base coat and cure it under a UV lamp for 1-2 minutes. Make sure to wipe off any base coat from your skin before curing to avoid unwanted residue.
Choose Your Glitter
Select a glitter nail polish that complements the base colour of your drip nails. You can also use loose cosmetic-grade or crafting glitter if you prefer. For a denser glitter look, consider using a sponge to apply the glitter polish, as this will give you more control and a professional finish.
Create the Drip Effect
Follow the steps for creating the drip effect using your chosen nail polish colour. Once the base colour is dry, use a dotting pen or thin brush to create the drips by placing dots and dragging the polish towards the cuticle or tip. You can also use nail tape to create a mess-free outline for your drips.
Add the Glitter
Apply a second coat of nail polish to one nail, ensuring it is still wet. Then, shake or brush on the glitter generously, tilting your nail to get an even coating. Tap off any excess glitter and let the polish dry. Repeat this process for each nail, working over a sheet of paper to catch any falling glitter.
Seal and Finish
Complete your drip nails with a top coat to add shine and protect your design. If you want maximum sparkle, you can skip the top coat, but keep in mind that the texture may be rougher, and the glitter may shed more easily. Finish curing your nails under the UV lamp according to the product instructions.
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Use nail tape
Using nail tape is a great option if you want a mess-free approach to creating drip nails. First, prepare your nails by trimming, shaping, and buffing them. Then, paint your nails with a base colour of your choice. If you want the drips to stand out, use a matte base in a shade that contrasts with the colour of the drops.
Once the base coat is dry, it's time to use the nail tape. Cut the nail tape into the shape of the drips you want to create. Make sure the tape covers the parts of your nail where you don't want the drops to go. The only parts of your nail that should be uncovered are where the drops will be placed.
Now, carefully paint over the tape with your chosen drip colour. You can use either regular nail polish or gel polish. If you use gel polish, you'll need to cure it under a nail lamp. Once the polish is dry, carefully remove the tape to reveal your perfect drip shapes.
If you want to add some extra shine and make the drops glisten, finish with a glossy top coat. Alternatively, you can use a gel top coat and cure it under a nail lamp to ensure your design lasts longer.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a dotting pen, thin brush, or toothpick to create the dripping effect. Start by painting your nails with a base colour of your choice. Then, dip the dotting pen into the drip colour and place a few dots on your nail. Drag the polish toward the cuticle or tip and taper the lines to make the drips look realistic.
Paint squares of polish on a non-stick surface and let them dry completely. Once dried, trim the polish into droplet shapes and press them onto your nails, sealing them with a top coat.
Drip nail art can be done with any colour combination. However, it is recommended to use bright and contrasting tones. For instance, you can try dark reds or blacks with silver accents for a bold yet subtle look.
You can create a 3D effect by using builder gel or acrylics to make your drip nails extra eye-catching.
Drip nail designs can be customised for any occasion but are especially popular for Halloween. Some design ideas include paint drips, sparkles, wine stains, blood stains, and rainbow drips.
