Mani of the Week: Snakeskin Nails

What better way to show off snakeskin nails then with brass knuckles?!

I've been seeing snakeskin nails all over Pinterest and Essie just released nail stickers in a snakeskin pattern. I knew there had to be an easy DIY to this! I did some research and came up with my own strategy that combined several of the posts. Even my girl at Elle Sees even did one! It seems like a lot of steps but it's actually fairly easy for a really cool looking effect. Let's get started!

You'll need:

Lace fabric - preferably in a fishnet style, I even saw someone use a loofa

Nail polish - Opt for a dark and light color so the pattern shows up clearly. I used Zoya's Jana and Essie's Penny Talk

Makeup sponge

1. Apply base color. This is the color you want to shine through so I choose the darker color. Also, I recommend painting your nails the day before to give them enough drying. Otherwise adding the lace and second color can cause clumping.

2. Wrap lace fabric around your nail. I cut my lace fabric into smaller pieces so they'd be more manageable. Pull tightly so that the fabric doesn't move while applying the polish. I then used my other fingers to secure it in place. (It's quick drying time so you won't have to hold them too long).

3. & 4. Dab top color over lace. I brushed on a thin layer of polish then used a wet sponge to spread the color out over my nail. Wetting the sponge kept the color from sticking to the sponge and allowed for a smoother finish.

5. Let dry. I recommend using a product that dries your nail quickly like Julep's Quick Dry Polish Drops so you don't have to hold the fabric in place too long and help hurry up the process (especially if you're doing this pattern on all 10 nails).

6. Gently peel away the fabric. Start from one side of the nail, gently peeling back the fabric to reveal the pattern. It will leave a 3D texture on your nails which you can smooth over with a top coat.

What's on your nails this week?