This compass manicure will redirect your dreams of high sea adventures

If your weekday schedule has you daydreaming about getting away from it all, it can be hard to get things done. Refreshing blue water and the thought of adventure can easily take your mind off work. If your thoughts start wandering, perhaps this little compass design will help you find your way back to the task at hand.
Every sailor relies on a compass, so jump on the nautical trend with this vibrant watercolor design. Alcohol ink isn’t a traditional manicure product, but it works well for creating watery ribbons of color. Secure a golden helm to the center and get ready to sail through your workday.
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Materials
- White gel polish (Elite99)
- UV or LED lamp (Lumcrissy, not shown)
- No-wipe matte top coat (Kupa)
- Purple alcohol ink (Jacquard, Passion Purple)
- Blue alcohol ink (Jacquard, Baha Blue)
- Yellow alcohol ink (Jacquard, Sunbright Yellow)
- Small, disposable plate to use as a palette (not shown)
- Brush pen filled with 99 percent isopropyl alcohol
- Paper towels (not shown)
- Long liner brush
- Sealer nail gel (Gelish Top It Off)
- Gold helm charm
- Tweezers
- Clear builder gel (not shown)
- Gold drawing gel (Elite99, #=5601)
Fierce League
Instructions
1. Apply two coats of white gel polish to your nail, curing the gel between coats with the UV or LED lamp.
2. Brush on a thin layer of no-wipe matte top coat. Cure the gel with the UV or LED lamp.
3. Create a paint palette for the alcohol ink. Add a small portion of each color to the plate, taking care to leave enough space between the colors, so they won’t run together.
4. Dip the alcohol-filled brush pen into the purple ink and draw abstract swirls of color on the nail. Clean the brush pen on a paper towel, and then switch colors.
5. Repeat step four with the blue alcohol ink.
6. Paint two blue vertical lines using the long liner brush. This will act as a guide, so you can place the charm correctly. Cure the ink briefly with the lamp.
7. Apply a layer of sealer nail gel and cure again.
8. Pick up the helm charm with the tweezers and dip the back of the charm into the builder gel. Place the charm on your nail and cure the gel with the lamp.
9. Finish the face of the compass. Surround the charm with a circle by using gold drawing gel and the liner brush. Add small arrows at the directional headings (i.e., north, south, east and west). Cure the wet gel with the lamp.
10. Add incremental markings to the outer circle by making two small dashes across each portion of the existing circle. Cure the gel once more.
11. Apply a final coat of sealer gel to protect the design and ensure the charm stays in place. Cure once more with the lamp.
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Bon voyage!
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