1.18.2016

Marble Nails: How To



I'm a little bit obsessed with marble, as my phone, laptop case and background can attest. And now, my nails. Just a bit of back story: I originally tried this with several types of grey and mixed-to-grey polishes, grey acrylic paint, and even mascara--don't ask.

And then it hit me: no one is going to do this. I'll get comments about how time-consuming or how they don't have a steady hand or...wait. That's it: use that lack of a steady hand to my advantage.  I'll use my nail art secret: Sharpies. That's how this tutorial was born.


You'll Need:
  • grey Sharpie
  • base and top coat
  • white polish
  • small paintbrush
  • rubbing alcohol
  • image of marble, optional

Directions:
  • Apply a base coat to protect the natural nail and allow to dry.
  • Apply a coat or two of white polish and allow to dry completely. It's tempting to pile on the polish, but two thin coats are much better. The Sharpie will pierce through thick polish.

Draw diagonal stripes. Sometimes I'll add small, filled-in circles in the corners. Note how the stripes are jagged. See? You don't need a steady hand for nail art!


Marble looks a lot like watercolor--see the different shades of grey? We are going to create that effect by diluting the color with alcohol. Dip the brush into the rubbing alcohol. You just need a drop of it. Gently dot the nail and then brush the nail to blend the colors. This will make the background a bit more grey, too.



This is after one brush through. For you, this might be enough of a marble print.
Repeat the process of adding more stripes. I like to add some in the other direction, maybe add some filled-in circles and then add another drop of alcohol again. Repeat until it you like it. You can use a picture for reference. I did mine about three times, but two works well. 

Seal with a top coat to make sure the design doesn't wash off. And that's it!


  • TIP: No brush? Use one of those brush applicators that comes with eye shadow palettes from the drugstore.


Are you obsessed with marble like I am?

Extra Elle:

  • I made myself relax on Saturday. I took a bath, complete with a blue bath bomb of mine, face mask, magazine, candle, and a refreshing drink. It was something I need to do more often.
  • DON'T FORGET: Story Behind the Pic linkup is TOMORROW!




63 comments:

  1. Your nails look great and this seems like such an easy DIY to follow! I'll need to show this to my sister, she tried to do the rainbow marble nails without any luck!


    Away From The Blue Blog

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  2. The totally fascinates me, I love it!!!!

    Xoxo,

    Whitney & Blaire

    Peaches In A Pod

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  3. You're kidding right? That sounds super easy! Thanks for sharing! I said I would for sure not be able to recreate hahaha

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  4. What a cute idea! I love your marbled nails!

    Jill
    Doused in Pink

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  5. LOVE the nails - and so easy! and glad you relaxed over the weekend and took that bath. ugh i miss my bathtub :)

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  6. Wow, they came out really, really well. What a clever idea!

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  7. Fab nails, Elle:) I like the marbling effect too.

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  8. WOW you did such an amazing job!! I am definitely obsessed with marble, too, so I need to try this!

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  9. That is amazing and so smart! I love how easy to follow this is.

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  10. Oh my gosh! I saw these on your Snap last night and was so obsessed! Thanks so much for sharing how you do them! I feel like mine won't look as good as yours though! Happy Monday!

    Xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

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  11. Oh my goodness this is so easy!! I love this idea! Definitely trying this week. Thanks for sharing!

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  12. So FUN!! I Love the marble look!! You are so brilliant!! Happy Monday!!

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  13. So cool! I have shaky hands, so this might actually work for me!

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  14. I am definitely trying this! I've decided there's nothing you can't DIY. You are a genius

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  15. I love marble! Awesome tutorial, I'll have to give it a try soon.

    Breakfast at Gracey's

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  16. I thought this was so cool when I saw your pic on IG! Thanks for sharing Elle!

    http://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  17. I'm glad you got a day to relax this weekend, that's always so nice. This tutorial is AWESOME Elle! It really does look just like marble and I love how easy it looks. Even a nail amateur like me could do it!

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  18. OMG this is the most amazing tutorial, I cannot wait to try it!!!!!!

    Rachel's Lookbook

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  19. This is so cute, I shall definitely give it a try. Thanks! <3
    Event Styling

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  20. How fabulous, might have to give this a try the next time I do my nails. Who knows when that will be, le sigh.

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  21. I love how easy this looks and it's so pretty. I wish I wasn't the laziest nail polisher on earth so I'd have the motivation to do it.

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  22. What a brilliant tutorial, Elle! I love marble nails but just couldn't figure out how to do it myself, will give this a try.

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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  23. Wow, Elle! These are so awesome. Very pretty and I never would have guessed a sharpie was used.

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  24. I'm obsessed with marble as well and this is just adorable! Love it.

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  25. This turned out so amazing! I suck at doing my own nails but I'm going to have to give this a try! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  26. Marble is very clean and chic. I see why you love it so much! You nailed this look. (; Pun was totally intended!

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  27. cool.. would have never thought to use a sharpie.

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  28. This is a fun idea, Elle! I never would have thought about using a Sharpie to create a marbled look.

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  29. Bookmarked. Definitely will be trying this one out :)

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  30. Just pinned this. So that way I can give it a try.

    http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home

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  31. OMG! This looks amazing!! Will be trying this for sure!! Love it!!

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  32. You always amaze me with your nail tutorials. I love marble, too! These turned out so perfect! I really wonder if mine would turn out as good if I tried it! Lol!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  33. Thank you so much for this tutorial I always wanted to know how to do marble nails but could never figure it out!

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  34. I love this idea!!! I would never think of being that creative with my nails but this I have to try out! I'm sure I won't be as good as you at doing it but it's worth a try.

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  35. Very pretty! I'm a big fan of marble things!

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  36. Love your creativity and the result, Elle! So good! x

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  37. So creative to use a sharpie on your nails. I will add this to another use for my favorite marker!

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  38. Sounds like a wonderful Saturday, friend! Also loving these nails! :)

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  39. These look super cute!! It's amazing how many things sharpies can be used for on your nails!

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  40. This is the most amazing thing ever!!! Looks so beautiful!!!! :D
    xoxo

    Novelstyle

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  41. Oh my gosh I love!!! And it is easy to do! Can't wait to try these.

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  42. You make this look so easy! Love how cute this look is. I was looking at our bathtub last night when I was brushing my teeth and thinking that I need to take more baths. I cant tell you the last time I was in there! Months!!! Hope you have a great week!

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  43. These turned out so well. I feel like they look exactly like white marble. Would it look too bold if you used a black sharpie instead of just a gray one?

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  44. How fun are these nails?! I love the way it turned out!
    xo,
    Angela

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  45. This is the coolest nail tutorial I have seen in a while! I love it and I can't wait to try it out. They look exactly like white marble.

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  46. This is seriously such a fun idea! I know that I wouldn't have been able to come up with this on my own. And hooray for a relaxing Saturday! A bubble bath might have to be in my future soon too because the husband is out of town!

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  47. So pretty, you did such a great job!

    xx Kelly
    Sparkles and Shoes

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  48. Love this super easy tutorial!!! I'll be trying this out soon for sure!

    Tif
    www.brightonabudget.com

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  49. Your nails look amazing! Love that you did this with a Sharpie!

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  50. I love the marble print and this is such a fun idea! I will have to try this because it sounds really easy to do!

    <3 Nina
    http://curvymod.blogspot.com/

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  51. This is such a cool idea!! Love it! Definitely want to try this!
    ~Sara

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  52. Nice nails! You did a great job!

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  53. Wow you really did come up with a creative way to get the job done. Lol I'm still obsessed with gel manis even though they were so 3 years ago... haha

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  54. I dont think I'll be able to recreate this...but if you could come over to do it that would be great!! Looks so fun! xo, Biana -BlovedBoston

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  55. I love how this turned out! I might do this in my Nail Care class this semester and when they ask where I learned it I'll point them towards your blog :)

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  56. This is a cool idea! Definitely creative!

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  57. So going to try this out...! Marble nails, swoon!

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