Here are some very simple ways to achieve Salon Style nail designs yourself at home suitable for both natural and acrylic nails.

WATER MARBLING

You may remember using a similar process at school to create decorative patterns on paper, well this step-by-step guide shows you how to achieve the same results but on your nails.

YOU WILL NEED:

* Pale pink nail enamel

* Darker pink nail enamel

* A pair of tweezers

* Small dish of warm water

* Cotton buds

* Nail-varnish remover 

* Clear top coat 

STEP 1:

Paint your nails with 2 coats of the paler pink shade nail enamel and allow to dry.

STEP 2:

Drop a single drop of the darker pink nail enamel into the dish of warm water - it will start to spread out immediately due to the oil content.

STEP 3:

Using the tweezers or an orange stick 'swirl' the nail enamel from the outside to the centre of the dish, but do this quickly before it starts to set.

STEP 4:

Gently place your nail onto the required area of the 'swirl' using the tweezers to remove the 'skin' that the enamel has formed on the surface of the water.

STEP 5:

Once the surface of the water is clear, gently remove your finger from the liquid.

STEP 6:

Remove the excess nail enamel from your finger carefully using a cotton-bud dipped in nail varnish remover. Finally set in place with 1-2 coats of nail-art sealer/top coat.

Why not try experimenting with other colour nail enamels? 

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SWIRLING

A little less effort is required for this very easy process although the designs can be as elaborate as you wish!

YOU WILL NEED:

* 2-3 different shades of nail enamel

* Dotting tool (a crochet hook or similar will do)

* Clear top coat

STEP 1:

Start by dotting the different colour nail enamels down the centre of each nail - we have used white (top), blue and pink for this particular design.

TIP:You should always place the darkest shade at the cuticle area and the lightest at the tip for the best results.

STEP 2:

Begin swirling the darker shade enamel (pink) away from the cuticle towards the next (blue) dot and then again towards the nail tip (white dot) ensuring that you cover the sides of the nail as you go.

STEP 3:

Allow to dry and apply 1-2 coats of nail-art sealer/top coat.

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I have also written guides which may be of interest to you entitled

* How to remove acrylic nails safely

* Risk Of Infections and Hepatitis C From Nail Salons

The latter mentioned guide is not designed to 'put you off' using Nail Salons, but merely 'educate' you in order that you don't suffer the same fate as a friend of mine.

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