How to Use Sharpie Pens to Get Checkered Nails

Although the classic French manicure and the traditional single colored nail polish will never go out of style, nail art has made its way onto the fashion scene. Checkered nails are a fun trend that can be enjoyed by children, teens and adults alike. Trips to the salon can be both pricey and time consuming. With basic nail polish, a Sharpie, some patience and a lot of practice, it is possible to create checkered nails yourself without going to a salon.

Things You'll Need

• Clean hand towel
• Nail file
• Base coat
• Colored nail polish
• Top coat
• Thin Sharpie marker

Instructions

1. Wash your hands with mild soap and water. Pat dry with a clean towel. File nails into desired shape.

2. Apply a layer of base polish to the nails. Allow the base coat to dry completely. Swipe your finger gently over the polish to make sure it is not tacky.

3. Paint the entire nail with the colored polish, being careful not to smudge the polish. Repeat for all nails. Allow nails to dry completely before adding a second layer of polish.

4. Apply a topcoat to all nails to prevent chipping of the polish and cracking or breaking of the nail.

5. Use the Sharpie to draw three lines down the length of your nail, making sure the lines are evenly spaced apart. Draw two or three lines, depending on the desired size of the checkers, across the nail to create a checkered pattern.

6. Use the Sharpie to color in every other square on the nail. Color back and forth in one direction until the entire box is filled in with marker. Allow the marker to dry completely before adding another top coat. Touch up with the marker as the color fades.

References

• Nail Care Hub: How to Paint Checkered Nails
• Become Gorgeous: Checkered Nail Designs