How to DIY Ombré Nails at Home, According to Nail Experts (2024)

Once a trend, now a certified cult-favorite, ombré nails are not going anywhere. In fact, the versatile nail design can span just about every aesthetic, from neon brights to holiday themes to demure French faded tips. The best part? This intricate-looking design is actually super simple to DIY at home. That's right, you don't even have to leave your home or spend salon prices to get the look.

To help you bring your own DIY manicure to life, we chatted with top nail experts, Lauren Dunne and Krystell Barreto, for their full tutorial on creating your own ombré manicure at home. Below, the experts break down their easy-to-replicate ombré nail steps.

Meet the Expert

Lauren Dunne is the co-founder and CEO of Varnish Lane, a luxury nail salon in Washington, D.C.
Krystell Barreto is a nail artist and V Beauty Pure Ambassador.

Gather Materials

You'll need:

Basecoat
Topcoat
Nail polish remover
Three shades of nail polish in the same color family (light to dark)
Clean-up brush or cotton swab
Wedge makeup sponge
Scissors

For an ombré effect, you'll need three complementary colors. "A game-changing tip I discovered is working with colors that are not fully opaque," explains Barreto. "That way the colors can blend seamlessly into each other and you have a better chance of avoiding any harsh lines.V Beauty Pure Ombre Kit takes the guesswork out of choosing colors and has everything you need."

Before you start stamping, you'll need to size your wedge sponge. "Cut the wedge makeup sponge to make the flat edge more narrow (based on the size of your nail)," instructs Dunne. "The goal is to have the wedge only be as wide as your nail. This will minimize the amount of polish that will get on the skin around your nails."

Prep Your Nails

Are your nails the shape that you want them to be? If not, grab a nail file and fashion your tips into the perfect square, round, almond, etc. shape. Before you get into colors, you'll want to make sure the polish has a solid foundation. "Apply a basecoat to your nails," Dunne says. "Make sure the coat is fully dried before proceeding to the next step."

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Apply the Polish Trifecta

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"Brush the three colors in straight lines on the wedge makeup sponge," Dunne explains. "Start with the lightest color at the base of the wedge. The colors can slightly overlap as you brush them onto the makeup sponge—this will help create the seamless fade."

If you're using dip powder, this step will differ, and require you to dip the nail into the powder. Start by dipping the tip of the nail into the lightest color, then patting to remove any excess. For the remaining colors, use a small, fluffy brush to apply the other strips of color, then move on to the topcoat or seal stage.

"Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques to ombré that are different from what you’re used to!" adds Barreto. "There are so many fun options to try out; using an airbrush machine, makeup sponge, makeup brush, blooming gel, etc."

Blot Your Ombré to Life

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"Gently blot the sponge onto your nail to transfer the polish," Dunne says. "Make sure all three colors get onto the nail."

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Continue to Blot

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Once you've finished your first nail, repeat steps three and four on the rest of your nails (or the accent nails that you want to be ombré). You may need to blot the sponge several times to transfer the polish evenly onto the nail. Keep going until you're happy with the result.

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Touch Up Around Each Nail

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"Use a clean-up brush and nail polish remover to remove any polish that got onto the skin around your nails," Dunne instructs. You can use a cotton swab, or a smaller, tapered brush (like Olive & June's Clean Up Brush, $8) that will easily (and neatly) touch up under the edge of each nail, as well as surrounding each nail bed.

Byrdie Tip

Move slowly and controlled around each nail so that you don't accidentally remove polish that's meant to stay on the edges or tips.

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Apply Topcoat

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According to Dunne, it's important to apply a top coat to your nails immediately after sponging since it will not only help prevent chips but help enhance the fade, as well. So, while you might be hesitant to brush another layer of polish over your picture-perfect DIY nail look, we promise it won't mess it up. "The topcoat can help to blur the polishes together," Dunne explains.

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The Final Look

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Congratulations—you've given yourself a salon-worthy ombré manicure. "If this is something that truly makes you happy whether you want to do as a hobby or as a future career, go for it and have fun!" adds Barreto. "There are no limits when it comes to art, so let your creative side run wild! Challenge yourself to be different and stand apart."