Simple Bows

I really enjoy making simple designs that use few colors, but still look nice. For this design you will need four colors (which you can easily change around) and requires a dotting tool (whether homemade or store bought), a paint brush and a toothpick is optional. So let's learn how to make this cute simple design!

First, start of with your trusty base coat to keep from staining and damaging your natural nails. Then apply 2-3 coats of any color you want, make sure it is even and opaque. Here I am using Wet n Wild's Megalast in Wet Cement.

 Next take an opaque white nail polish, here I am using Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails "White On". An easy way to do this is to have your finger on a hard surface, put the brush on the edge of your nail and then rotate your nail. Though for this design, it is okay to make little mistakes because we will be going over the edges of the white.

 Now take a black nail polish, here I am using Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails "Black Out". Take a thin brush and carefully make a thin black line at the top of the white area. Keep a steady hand during this part.

 For this next step, grab a a color you think looks good with the base of the nails (I chose Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri in Rapid Red) and make a thinner line in the center of the black line. This also takes a steady hand, so try to do this on a table and rotate your fingers.

 Grab your dotting tool (or something that creates nice dots) and start making a bow. First make a single dot for the knot of the bow. Then, using the dotting tool, create a small triangle on each side of the knot. Try not to make the bow directly in the center of the nail, stick to one side or the other.

 Once that is dry, take out your dotting tool and take your red polish. Place another dot on the knot of the bow. For the triangles this time, be sure to leave a space between them and the knot.

Finally, add two little black strips with either a toothpick or paint brush to make little fold lines. This step is optional, I just think the detail adds quality!  

 Don't forget to put on a top coat to keep the design sealed and give it a lovely shine!