Snowflake Nails: How to Paint a Simple Snowflake in 6 Steps

Snowflake nails · 6 steps · one accent nail

A snowflake is a cross, a second cross and a few dots. Paint it on a cool, dark or icy base so the white line work stands out.

You will need

Prep and base coat

Prep the nail, dehydrate with pH Bond, then brush on and cure a thin coat of base coat.

TipFine line art shows every bump, so keep the surface smooth.
Cure a cool color

Apply two thin coats of a cool shade, curing each one. 105 Winterfell is a wintry gray, and Super Black gives the strongest contrast.

TipCure the color fully so the line work does not sink into it.
Draw the first cross

Load the slim brush of White Detailing Gel with a small amount. Draw one short vertical line, then one horizontal line across the middle.

TipWipe the brush on the bottle neck so the line stays thin.
Add the diagonals

Draw two diagonal lines through the center so the lines form a star with eight points. Keep every arm about the same length.

TipStart small. A small snowflake is easier to keep even.
Branch and dot

Add a tiny V near the end of each arm. Then press a small dot at each tip and one in the center with the dotting tool.

TipClean the dotting tool between dots so they stay round.
Cure and seal

Cure the art, then seal it with Diamond No Wipe Top Coat and cure again. For extra sparkle, add a little Winter Sparkling glitter on the other fingers before the seal.

TipCheck the label for the cure time of each product.

Which white gel is best for snowflakes?

Detailing Gel 02 White has a slim brush made for thin lines and fine detail. For raised, glossy lines, the thick 3D Line Gel in White holds its shape.

How do I keep the lines thin?

Use a very small amount on the brush, wipe off the extra, and draw with the tip of the brush instead of pressing down.

Can I put a snowflake on every nail?

Yes, but one accent nail per hand reads cleaner. Vary the size on the other fingers or leave them plain.

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