Marble Nails Are Having a Major Moment

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Nail designs are often called works of art, but marble nails truly are. They’re created to resemble the statues and paintings you’d find in a museum. With free-form swirls, colorful patterns, and unique shapes, they are one of the most artistic manicure designs around. Given that, many content creators have incorporated the technique into their nail art, making it one of the most beloved. Even better? Marble nails can be created in a variety of ways, so it can work for any skill level. Ahead, we chatted with nail artists and experts to learn how to try the technique at home.

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What are marble nails?

Despite their mesmerizing look, marble nails are so much more than nail art. “It’s actually a technique that creates paint swirls and veins that mimic natural stones,” says celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein. Like granite and gems, the marble pattern is meant to be unique, making every design different and one-of-a-kind. Creativity lies at the heart of this look, so it’s no surprise that many creators have utilized it in their work.

How to do marble nails

The beauty of marble nails is that there are a handful of different ways to create the look. “Blooming gels are a popular option and work by adding drops of color to a plain colored nail and allowing the color to spread out to form a pattern,” she explains. Hand-painting the design is another way to create marble nails. Using a paintbrush may require more skill, but Gerstein notes that Sharpies also work just fine. “You can use fine-tipped Sharpies to draw the lines and swirls of color,” she adds.

Along with these methods, there are a few DIY-friendly techniques you can try. Water marbleing is one of the most popular and involves adding drops of color to a bowl of water, and then dipping your nails into the bowl to create the pattern. For the true novice, nail artist Samantha Rose says that simple household items are also an option. “Toothpicks and bobby pins can be used to swirl blobs of color and create the effect,” she says.

Marble nail looks to try

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Matte Marble Nails

Adding a layer of matte polish to a marble nail design completely transforms the look. Take a cue from this set that uses the finish and gold trim to create an artistic look, similar to porcelain.

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Tie-dye Marble Nails

Water marbling is a great way to create a tie-dye effect. Try mixing a rainbow of different shades with nude to make a minimalist design.

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Pool Blue Nails

Pool nails are one of the best examples of the blooming nail technique. The electric blue blooming polish spreads across the nail, giving the appearance of sun hitting the water.

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Accent Marble Nails

When in doubt, opt for an accent nail. Having just one marble nail can give your plain manicure an artistic look. If you want to up the wow factor, try using the design to create French tips.