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Mermaid Nails

Use the latest trending dipping powder shades to get this etching and mermaid nail art look. Find out how to achieve the look using step-by-steps and more from OPI Professionals.

Step by Step

  1. Step 1

    To a properly prepped nail, apply 1 coat of OPI Powder Perfection Step 1 Base Coat and immediately dip into Mexico-City Movement. Brush off excess powder.

  2. Step 2

    Use a shallow dish & sprinkle Show Us Your Tips, & Nessie Plays Hide and Seek on top of a layer of Mexico-City Movement. Use a dotting tool to draw S-patterns in the powder to marble the colors. Lightly shake or tap the dish to level.

  3. Step 3

    Apply a second coat of OPI Powder Perfection Step 1 Base Coat and flip the finger upside down to dip the nail straight down into the dish of powders. Brush off excess powder.

  4. Step 4

    Prepare a piece of netting material by dipping it into Clear Color Set Powder. This ensures the netting doesn't stick too much and you get good crisp lines.

    Pro Tip: Hold your netting material at each side and pull gently to see if the material stretches. If it does, turn it 90 degrees & pull again to compare. The material should not stretch too much & should hold its shape when being pushed into the nail.

  5. Step 5

    Apply a coat of OPI Powder Perfection Step 1 Base Coat to the nail and immediately dip into Clear Color Set Powder. Holding onto the sides of the netting material, push it straight down into the clear color set powder and lift it straight up and away. Give the nail a minute to dry and dust off the excess powder. Allow the etched markings to harden slightly.

    Pro Tip: Apply a coat of Activator at this stage to harden your etched design before filling it in. (Wait to dry or risk hardening your Base Coat brush.) If using an activator at this step, lightly buff with a 180 grit buffer before moving on.

  6. Step 6

    Apply a coat of OPI Powder Perfection Step 1 Base Coat to the nail taking special care to fill in the etched lines and immediately dip into Can’t Find My Czechbook. Brush off excess powder.

  7. Step 7

    Apply OPI Powder Perfection Step 2 Activator liberally to the entire nail. Wait 2-4 mins.

  8. Step 8

    Using a medium grit bit, file through to reveal the etched design. Shape and Contour with a 180 grit file and buff with the 100/180 and 220/280 buffers. Remove dust

  9. Step 9

    Apply another coat of OPI Powder Perfection Step 2 activator. Wait 2-4 mins.

  10. Step 10

    Apply 1 coat of OPI Powder Perfection Step 3 Top Coat and allow to dry.

  11. Step 11

    Apply a second coat of Powder Perfection Step 3 Top Coat and while it's still wet, apply embellishments.

Video Tutorial

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Powder Perfection Nail Art

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