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Ombre Nail Art - 21 Ombre Nail Designs To Inspire Your Summer Mani

Like having a sunset at your fingertips.

By Hannah Thompson
ombre nails
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While setting our sights on an Ibiza sunset might still seem like a pipe dream, that won’t stop us from bringing that summer feeling in every other way possible, including our manicures. Enter: ombre nails, a tonic for the dreary weather still pervading our hopelessly optimistic beer garden plans.

Whether you fancy muted monochrome, pairing pastels or mixing metallics, ombre nails are the trend at the end of our fingertips in more ways than one. The ombre movement shows no signs of fading on Instagram, with an astounding 4.7 million photos (and counting) posted under #ombrenails.

According to NUKA nail founders Kadimah Aaliyah and Anouska Anastasia, ombre nail art involves blending different shades to trick your visual perception and 'create an illusion of colours fading into each other.'

While ombre offers up an endless choice of colour combinations, a word to the wise: there are some shades that won't look so great together. 'Don’t put clashing colours next to each other, for example a green and orange fade will make brown,' adds Aaliyah. 'It’s best to work through the rainbow.' Smart.

How To Do Ombre Nails

The beauty of ombre is that you don't need to be a Hockney or a Picasso to achieve the look; A handful of your chosen colours, a sponge and a bit of creativity will do the trick. For those of us who can't wait until their next nail appointment to have a crack at the trend, Aaliyah and Anastasia break down how to achieve an ombre nail at home:

Step 1. Apply 2 coats of white polish (this helps the colours pop) and let your nails dry for 10-15 minutes.

Step 2. Load your sponge with 2-5 colours, in a horizontal line overlapping each other.

Step 3. Dab your sponge onto the nail without moving the placement of the sponge. If you move the sponge your colours will end up mixing instead of fading, it won’t be cute!

Step 4. Repeat step 3 until you get the desired vibrancy.

Step 5. Dip an angled brush (an old eyebrow or eyeliner brush works well) in acetone & use the brush to clean up excess product around your nails.

Step 6. Now it's time to topcoat. Let your nails dry for 15-20 minutes.

Step 7. Nourish with cuticle oil.

For those of us not blessed with the steady hands of an open-heart surgeon (we strongly relate), we've rounded up some of the slickest ombre nail art to save, screenshot and squirrel away for your next nail appointment.

1

Spectrum Fade

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Channel the whole colour spectrum with these soft fade nails.

2

Radial Ombre

For a twist on the ombre look, start from the centre of the nail and fade outwards.

3

Holographic Halcyon

Can't decide on one shade? Draw inspiration from a 2000s sticker sheet and go holographic.

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4

Liquid Metal

Give your ombre an other-worldly sheen with a hit of metallic.

5

Diagonal By Design

Fading colour into nude not only looks chic, it also makes it harder to spot when your nails grow out.

6

Abstract Dreams

Contrast dreamy pastels with graphic lines for nail art that would look at home at the Tate.

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7

Tequila Sunrise

A manicure inspired by your favourite summer cocktail? Naturally.

8

Smiley Sensation

The 1990s smiley face just got an ombre-upgrade.

9

Lava Lamp

We're convinced looking at these nails has the same calming effect as the real thing.

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10

Rainbow Road

Joseph and his technicolour dreamcoat has nothing on these.

11

Melted Candy

Imagine a bag of Fox's Glacier Fruits melted in your bag, but make it fashion.

12

Twilight Fanatic

No not that twilight. Capture the mood of a dusky night with this moody purple ombre and silver celestial detailing.

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13

Blue Skies Ahead

Perk up any grey day with this super cute blue sky ombre art.

14

Seeing Stars

We are so in love with these delicate ombre stars.

15

Strawberry Dream

One for the lovers.

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16

Ombre Tips

Bring together two of the biggest nail trends this season with these delicate ombre french tips.

17

Mocha Please

Take inspiration from your favourite caffeinated beverage.

18

Very Important Pastel

Softly does it.

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19

Cardigan Chic

Who knew red, purple and turquoise could look so good together?

20

Here Come The Glitterati

Just looking at these nails makes us feel like we should be at a festival. Where's our bumbag?

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