Kailey Strachan for E! OnlineYou know those girls who never seem to step out with so much as a chipped nail; the ones that rock inventive nail art one day, a negative-space design another and a perfect, classic mani the next? It's impossible to think that a modern-day girl, with a 24/7 over-scheduled life can manage such a feat. What, do they harbor skilled S.O.s who create nightly nail looks?
Regardless, it's enviable and we want in on the action—but we don't want to spend a bunch of time or money for the cause. So we pulled inspo from celeb nail techs and we devised a strategic game plan to get impactful manis in minimal time (and without salon visits or a black belt in nail art). Here's how to get a doable graduated mani.
Mondays are hard enough, so start easy. File and shape your nails, then top them with an of-the-moment new nude or a sheer wash of color, like one from the Formula X Sheer Strength line, which leave a transparent hue that's easy to build upon. When paired with standout wardrobe shades and statement-making jewelry, like Reese Witherspoon does here, the simple mani is all sophistication.
Build on Monday's simple mani by adding a little nail art. Use nail polish and a fine art brush to draw a simple horizontal stripe, place a strategic dot, or add inverted pyramids, like celebrity manicurist Tom Bachik did for Lauren Conrad. Pro tip from the celeb nail artists at LA's Enamel Diction: Acrylic paint can be used instead of traditional polish to add these accents. It's easier to control than many lacquers and easily comes off with nail polish remover.
Do like Selena Gomez and white out nails with an opaque polish. You can choose a matte, pearlescent or high-shine formula—just be sure it's solid enough to effectively stamp out yesterday's nail art look. This clean slate will look sharp and serve the looks to come.
Yesterday's opaque white polish serves as the perfect primer to punch up strong color, since building atop a white layer makes a bright shade ring true. Pick a bold color, like Celebrity Crush from Trust Fund Beauty. The result is bright, dynamic nails that particularly pop when paired with black clothes. To edge up the look, add stacks of delicate rings, like style pro Taraji P Henson.
The best way to start the weekend? With a little sparkle, of course. Instead of going for over-the-top bling in the form of gold and silver studs or tricky foil overlays, create a doable new-school French mani instead, like Katie Holmes.
Paint the tips of your nails with two coats of large-chunk glitter polish or one that deposits decorative shapes, like Sally Hansen Lux Lace. If the brush accidentally slips below the nail tip, make a chic recovery by painting the whole nail. Either way, the move will elevate the look to something that appears complex and makes other girls wonder, "Just how does she do it?"