Tuxedo Nails: Step By Step

Tuxedo Nails: Step by Step

Tuxedo nails. A simple uber cute nail art design that can be made as funky and individual as your creative juices will allow.
Follow my foolproof step by step instructions on how to create this dapper look.




What you will need:
Cotton wool
Nail enamel remover
Top and base coat
White nail enamel or colour of your choice  (I personally love a gold glitter)
Black nail enamel
Toothpick
A black nail art pen

I would recommend preparing your nails with a mini manicure. This will ensure all excess traces of oil and polish are removed and any visible ridges smoothed. Just like your make-up, your nails require a great base for optimum results.

Step 1: Remove all traces of excess oil and polish using a piece of cotton wool soaked in enamel remover.

Step 2: Apply a base coat to protect your nails and prevent staining. 
This will also smooth any ridges and imperfections while extending the life of your tuxedos.

Step 3: To create your tux shirt, apply a pearly white enamel or colour of your choice to each nail.
Your nails will require 2-3 individual coats before they visibly appear opaque.

Step 4: Create two diagonal lines to make a black V shape.
Your V should meet in the centre tip of your nail and can be achieved by using a toothpick, dotting tool or nail art pen. I personally find that using a toothpick as a basic guide line prior to lining with a nail art pen gives a sharper finish however, this particular step does not have to be immaculately perfect as it is only a basic guide for your tuxedo coat.

Step 5: Fill in the outer section of your V with your black nail art pen. 
You can also dip your toothpick in to your black enamel if you find this easier however, I personally prefer to use a nail art pen for the majority of my tuxedo designs as I find they offer a cleaner, more precise finish.

Step 6: Dip your toothpick in to your black nail enamel and create 2-3 small buttons in the centre of your completed V. 
Aim to start as close to the V's meeting point as possible and avoid making your buttons too overpowering. You don't want these becoming the focal point of your design.

Step 7: Use your black nail art pen to create an X shape on the cuticle area above (or below depending what way you are creating your tux) the buttons. This will act as a guide for your bow tie.

Step 8: Dip your toothpick in to black enamel and draw a thin line down each outer side of your X to create two kissing triangles. Fill in the remaining white area using your black nail art pen. This will create a cute, crisp bow.
The trick is not to make your bow tie too big as this will ruin the overall effect and will make rectifying any minor mistakes extremely difficult!

Step 9: Once completely dry, seal your design with a top coat to provide extra durability.

Tuxedo nails are a particular favourite of mine as they are such a simple versatile design that can easily be mastered by a nail novice with a steady hand and, a little time and patience. 
My advice is to experiment with a variety of colours and designs to create a tuxedo inspired by your unique individual style. 

A great tip (and personal fave of mine) if your pushed for time or patience is to paint one nail on each hand in a glitter enamel prior to creating a black coat, buttons and bow tie  Painting your remaining nails in a vampy black will result in a set of edgy talons with a tux focal point.
Whatever you decide, this cute design is guaranteed to make a statement.

A cute variation of the tux design