What You Need: A drinking straw 

First, apply your base colour. 

Then, choose two or three other colours for the splatter. Dip the straw into one of the colours and it on each nail, and then repeat for the other colours before finishing with a top coat. 

It can get a bit messy so have nail polish remove on hand to get rid of excess colours. 

What you need: A fan brush

Ever wondered how the manicurist can make the smudged effect look so pretty? 

The answer lies in the fan brush. Start off by applying your base colour. Once the coat has dried, paint half of the nail with another colour, preferably a contrasting one. 

Before it dries, sweep the brush over the polish to make the smudged pattern and then finish off with a top coat. 

What you need: A makeup sponge (wedge type)

First, tape the sides of your nails, depending on whether you want the ombre to be vertical or horizontal. 

Then pour out two contrasting hues on a piece of aluminium foil and a dollop of white nail polish in between the two. 

Use the white polish to mix the two shades using a small brush, and use the same brush to apply the colour onto the makeup sponge. 

Then swipe the sponge onto your nail to create the ombre effect. 

Once the polish is dry, remove the tape and finish with a top coat. 

What you need: Coloured tissue paper

If you can get your hands on tiny strips of confetti, good for you! 

Otherwise, use a hold punch to punch out circles from coloured tissue paper. 

Next, apply a base coat in metallic gold or silver. 

While the polish is still wet, layer the circles on your nails using a tweezer. 

Leave to dry before applying a top coat. 

What you need: Cellophane paper 

Apply your base colour and leave it to dry. 

Then apply a coat of gold nail polish and white the polish is still wet, grab a wad of cellophane paper and press on your nails to lift off some of the colour. 

Leave to dry and apply a top coat. 

ICYMI: H&M Beauty has nail polishes! The nail colours retail for $7.90 and are available at H&M Orchard Building and H&M Raffles Place. There’s currently a special promo of Buy 3 Get 1 Free on selected colours.

Text: Hidayah Idris/CLEO