Six-step guide to gnome nail art

Step by Step

Carla Brannan of @gelled_pretty started her nail journey in 2018, and is a nail artist, content creator & Gems Nail Systems brand ambassador. She has won multiple Scratch Snap online nail art contests and shares her step-by-step guide for cute gnome-grown nails!

You will need:

Gel polish shades in muted pink, orange, cream, white, black, dark green, light brown, dark brown and khaki.
Black art gel.
White art gel.
Nail art brush.
Matte gel polish top coat.

Step 1

Apply two coats of muted pink gel polish (I used Gems Gel Polish in Jodie), curing after each coat. Apply a matte top coat, cure, then paint the gnome’s hat using a nail art brush and orange gel polish. I used Gems Gel Polish in Ginger for the hat, then opted for Gems Gel Polish in Rose for the gnome’s nose. Cure after each colour application.

Step 2

Paint a beard using a white gel polish, such as Gems Gel Polish in Angel, and cure.

Step 3

Use a dark green gel polish to paint the gnome’s coat and cure, followed by a dark brown gel polish to paint its shoes. Cure. I used Gems Gel Polishes in Olivia and Lisa.

Step 4

Paint a tartan pattern onto the hat using black, white and khaki gel polishes. Cure each shade before moving onto the next. I used Gems Gel Polishes in Izzy, Angel and Eve.

Step 5

Use dark brown gel polish to paint the lower part of two acorns - one at each end of the nail. Cure, then use a light brown gel polish to create the upper sections of the acorns. Cure. Outline the acorns and gnome using a black art gel, such as Gems Art Gel in Eve. Use a white art gel, like Gems' Angel shade, to add detail to the acorns, nose and shoes. Cure.

Step 6