Nail art alert! Try this easy-to-do marble manicure

Editor’s note: So *I* may be terribly boring when it comes to nail art (I don’t do it), but that doesn’t mean I can’t recognize talent when I see it! Namely, Rikki. Y’all should remember her from the sunburn post the other day—which I desperately need right now—and today, she’s back with an impressive (and impressively easy) DIY marble mani how-to.

When Michelle first brought up the idea of a “how-to” tutorial for nail art, crazy ideas went flying through my mind. I wanted to do the coolest, most unique, most outrageous nail art EVER.

And then I thought… I don’t want to scare you away. At least not just yet. So I’ve decided to show you my “marble mani!” Fun fact: When I first met Michelle, I was sporting this design.

What You Need

• Plastic wrap
• White nail polish (I used Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in White On.)
• Orange nail polish (I used Sephora by OPI Nail Polish in Hi Def.)
• Pink nail polish (I used Sinful Colors Nail Polish in 24/7.)
• Base and top coat

Step One

First and foremost, paint your nails with a base coat. My personal favourite is Sally Hansen Miracle Cure Strengthener.

Step Two

Paint each entire nail with a white polish. It doesn’t have to be perfect since there are other colours going on top. (Plus, lighter colours are always the hardest to execute.) Let it dry for at least two minutes so the next steps don’t rub the white right off.

Step 3

Take the pink and orange and swipe the colour on top of the white however you want. Vertical, diagonal, in spots—the possibilities are endless! This step literally involves zero artistic skills. Promise!

Step 4

This is where you create the marble effect. Crunch up a piece of plastic wrap, press it down onto your nail and pull it away. Repeat, using a clean area of plastic, on the other nine fingers.

Pro tip: Doing one nail at a time is much easier… if you leave the pink and orange on top for too long without sponging it away, it will just stick in awkward, weird stripes.

Wait a few minutes before swiping on a top coat so that none of the marble effect smudges. I use Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat. I love painting my nails, but I despise waiting for them to dry. Sally Hansen knows what’s up!

And, guess what?! THAT’S IT!

You like?

If you’re still on edge about the whole nail art thing, try colours that are less vibrant and bold. I’ve also done a white base with light pink and light purple on top.

I hope you nail it!

Rikki Ciminsky is a student at Ryerson University in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @rikki_see.

What do you think of the marble mani?
Will you be attempting this DIY at home?
What kind of nail art tutorial would you like to see next?