These Double Ombré French Nails Are an Optical Illusion

• 2 nail polishes
• 1 ombré brush or makeup sponge 
• 1 brush designated for clean-up
• Acetone-based nail polish remover
• Paper hole reinforcements

Step 1: Prep your nails. File them to your preferred shape and push back your cuticle. Then, apply a base coat.

Step 2: Paint one side of your nail. Sweep on the first color of your gradient. Don’t worry, the polish can extend to your tips. 

Step 3: Paint the other side of your nail. Apply the second color of your gradient, ensuring the two hues meet in the middle.

Step 4: Blur. Create the ombré effect by tapping the area where the two colors meet with a sponge or brush. 

Step 5: Dry. Make sure your nails dry completely. This can take from between five to 10 minutes.

Step 6: Prep to create the second gradient. Carefully place a hole reinforcement — you know, one of those stickers you used to make sure your hole-punched notes wouldn’t rip out of your binder — onto your nail where you’d like your designed tip to begin.

Step 7: Repeat steps two through four along the tip of your nail. Again, your gradients should be opposite of each other. (If the base of the nail features a dark to light gradient, then the tip should feature a light to dark one.)

Step 8: Apply your top coat. 

French Ombre Nail Inspiration

1. Elegant Orange Gradient