Master Fall's Mod Manis Using Your Favorite School Supplies
Photo: Imaxtree1/9Graphic Design
Choi's big inspiration this season: modern art. Use a skinny paintbrush to add geometric accents to a basic mani.
TIP: Create different shapes on each finger, like above, or try the skinny V detail Choi painted at Prabal Gurung. A thin metallic stripe is easy and elegant and elongates your fingers, she says. Give the look dimension by finishing with a matte top coat on only the accent shade.
Backstage at Prabal Gurung.
Photo: Lucas Visser2/9Graphic Design
From left: OPI Nail Lacquer in Oy—Another Polish Joke!, $9. opi.com for salons. TOPSHOP Nail Art Brush Kit, $20. Topshop. JIN SOON Matte Maker Quick Dry Matte Topcoat, $18. Select Sephora stores.
Photo: Lucas Visser3/9Polka-Dot Print
From left: ESSIE Nail Color in Full Steam Ahead and The Girls Are Out, $8 each. essie.com.
Photo: Jennifer Livingston4/9Polka-Dot Print
Create eye-catching DIY decals with tinfoil and a classroom hole punch.
TIP: Cut the circular silver scraps in half and apply onto damp nail polish for a metallic half-moon mani. Lock them in place with top coat.
Don't be afraid to mix prints with a fun spotted mani. Aéropostale backpack.
Photo: Jennifer Livingston5/9Color Block
Draw stripes for a simple take on this season's geometric trend. Nail-art pens (the pro-approved alternative to Sharpies!) make it easy. "You can simplify the design to your own style," says Choi. "It doesn't have to be complicated!"
TIP: Go between the lines with a bold pop of color—try a different shade on each nail, shown at right.
Photo: Lucas Visser6/9Color Block
SALLY HANSEN Nail Art Pen in Yellow and Bright Blue, $8 each. Walgreens.
Photo: Jennifer Livingston7/9Clean Lines
Tape pulls double duty as the perfect nail-art stencil—use it to create a colorful twist on classic French tips or a hodgepodge of modern diagonals.
TIP: When layering shades, Choi says to proceed with caution: "Make sure your nails are 100 percent dry. Otherwise, the tape will take off your polish!"
Photo: Lucas Visser8/9In a pinch, lip balm doubles as a cuticle smoother.
EOS Basket of Fruit Smooth Sphere lip balms, $11 for four. Target.
