The nail game in Japan is on another level (all the girls have such cute nails) and so during my 2023 Japan trip, I got my first Japanese manicure and they were GORGEOUS. Today, I’ll show you how you can DIY at home without having to travel to Tokyo~

In recent years I have been getting lots of gel manicures but recently I decided to give my nails and wallet a break from the gel and try doing my own nails at home. Unfortunately, I am not someone who is talented at nails lol but I I thought I’d try recreating my Japan nails at home and it was actually so easy and turned out so cute despite it being my first attempt!

Seriously, this nail look could not be any easier. Anybody can do this, I promise (I myself am not someone who is good at nails). And while I highly recommend it for beginners because its so easy, it is SO cute that I’ll definitely be doing this nail look ALL the time because I am OBSESSED!

Here is a quick tutorial for the easiest, cutest nails!

1. Step 1: Lay a base coat
   • In Japan, the base was actually clear which came out really cool because their gel is thicker/harder and so it looked kind of like glass on my nails
   • I would have used a regular clear coat, but I had a light shimmery pink polish that I thought would be pretty with my color scheme
2. Step 2: Paint abstract shapes with color #1 (start with the lighter color first)
   • You could just use 1 color! In Japan, actually the original design (which I chose from their design book) was just for one color and was really pretty. When the nails were done, she asked if I wanted any additional designs and so I asked her to overlay a second color!
3. Step 3: Paint additional abstract shapes with color #2 (the darker color)
4. Step 4: Add some fun on the ring finger to complete the look!
   • In Japan, my manicure technician used these iridescent nail chips. I don’t have that, so instead I used a super sparkly nail polish! You could use nail gems, some glitter, or paint some lines!

See, so easy! Since it’s abstract shapes, you don’t have to worry about painting perfectly! Let me know if you try this nail look yourself 🙂

Btw, here are the polishes I used if you were curious! It’s great if you have any polishes that are running low, because you only need a little for the abstract shapes!

• Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy in 105 ‘Bet On Love’
• OPI Nail Lacquer in ‘Don’t Bossa Nova Me Around’
• Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in 169 ‘Bare It All’
• Homei Diamond Nail (I got this in Japan actually during my 2019 trip but this is similar!)
• OPI Top Coat

Thank you for reading!

I pray we all have a lovely week next week ❤
Em