You can use a toothpick, bobby pin, makeup brush, or small piece of sponge in place of a nail art brush. The best choice depends on the design: a pointed tool works for tiny details, while a soft edge works better for blending. Our team recommends starting with a small amount of polish on your tool so you can build the design without flooding the nail.
A toothpick is useful for small dots, short strokes, and placing a little polish in a tight spot. Dip only the tip into polish, then touch it lightly to the nail. For larger dots, use the rounded end of a clean bobby pin. Wipe either tool between colors to keep your design crisp.
Try a clean, fine-tipped eyeliner brush if you need to draw a line or curve. Choose one you no longer use near your eyes, and reserve it for nails once it has touched polish or remover. You can also use the tip of a toothpick for short lines, though it may drag if you try to draw one long stroke. For more control, make several short strokes and connect them.
If you plan to paint lines often, a dedicated brush may be easier to handle. Our guide to nail art brushes for clean lines and smooth curves can help you choose a shape for the designs you like to make.
A small piece of makeup sponge can dab on a gradient or soften the edge between two colors. Hold it with tweezers to keep polish off your fingers, and use light taps rather than rubbing. A thin layer of polish is easier to blend and less likely to leave a bulky finish.
Let your base color dry before adding details. Put a drop of polish on a disposable surface and pick up a little at a time; working from the bottle can load too much polish onto an improvised tool. Clean reusable tools promptly with an appropriate polish remover, and keep anything used with remover away from your eyes and skin. Finish with top coat once the design is dry enough that the applicator will not smear it.
Use a small amount of polish for each dot and let the dots dry before applying top coat. Float the top-coat applicator over the design with light pressure instead of dragging it across the nail.
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