Acid Wash Nails

 It is really easy to get this awesome textured effect inspired by acid wash jeans without much time or skill; the messy and uneven look is what you actually want for your nails

I am going to show you how to get two distinct acidic designs: 

Classic Denim and Colour Burn

Classic Denim

Image from http://lisaallen-agostini.com/?p=226

Everyone loves an acid wash pair of jeans. These nails are a little hip, a little grunge, very edgy and too easy!

Nail polish remover (containing acetone), plenty of Q-tips, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Blue It, Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On and Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat

For these rough and tough nails start with a base coat then 2 coats of a blue polish, you can use any shade of blue you want or even a grey or black depending on the look you want
Finish with a top coat

When totally dry paint on 1 coat of a white polish 

When your nails are totally, completely, without a doubt dry take a Q-tip and soak it in nail polish remover and wipe it over your nails, taking off parts of the white polish to reveal some blue but be careful not to take off the blue
Vary the pressure you use over the nail to create that washed out faded effect

Dip your fingertips in cold, icy water to wash off remover residue and set your design

Gently dry off and apply a top coat to protect your Classic Denim Acid Wash 

*Q-Tip Tips*

- Leave polish to dry completely before you go crazy with the remover or else you will just push the polish around, create bald spots and get fluff on your nail

- make sure the Q-tip is saturated for best smudging results

Colour Burn

This design gives the look of colours that have been burnt through to reveal the different layers of colour

You will need 3 - 4 different colours of your choice, base/top coat, nail polish remover and plenty of Q-tips

I love my bright colours so I am going with China Glaze Flip Flop Fantasy, China Glaze Lemon Fizz, China Glaze Aquadelic, China Glaze Kinetic Candy and Sally Hansen Double Duty Base & Top Coat

Start with a base coat and then 2 coats of your first colour and a top coat
Once dry apply 1 coat each of the other colours you are using (give each colour about 10 min drying time before applying the next)

Once your nails are COMPLETELY DRY grab your Q-tip and dip it in remover and start wiping as before! Get creative and experiment with various patterns and depths to reveal all the colours in wondrous ways

Dip your fingertips in cold, icy water to wash off remover residue and set your design

Gently dry off and apply a top coat to protect your Colour Burn Acid Wash

Have a go and let us know if your acid wash is awesome :)