Neon Reflective Watercolor Nails Are the Coolest Look You’ll See This Spring—Here’s Your Step-by-Step

Celebrity manicurist and educator Julie Kandalec just created a stunning spring manicure. Meet neon reflective watercolor nails. And while they look complicated, she shares how you can recreate the show-stopping look at home. Or you can use the look as inspo at your next nail appointment.

“The best thing about glitter nail polishes is that they melt together with very little effort,” says Kandalec, who recommends choosing two shades that are next to each other on the color wheel for the most natural-looking blending. While this manicure might look intimidating, Julie swears, “It’s actually super duper easy because these colors are kind of jelly-like so they layer over each other really easily.”

Neon Reflective Watercolor Nail How-To

Julie spells out how to copy the look.

Step one

Before even picking up your polish, ensure you’re prepping correctly. Doing so ensures you’ll have chip-free nails for days. Follow steps one through four here to prep your nails for polish. Then, working on two to three nails at a time, swipe on the first color to each nail. Move from the base of your nails to the tips, only covering one half of the nail (either the left or right side).

Step two

While that first color is still wet, swipe on the 2nd color next to it. (Again, brush on the polish from the base of your nail to the tip, so that your entire nail has polish on it.)

Step three

With an ombré brush (Julie likes this one), use a tapping or gentle swiping motion to blend the two polish colors together and create the ombre look. Julie suggests wiping your brush off on a paper towel between each color to ensure neatness.

Step four

While those colors are still wet, repeat as needed with additional colors. If you’re a beginner, stick to two colors; if you’re a pro, try four (Julie used four).

Step five

Allow the polish to dry fully, and then lock it all in with a top coat. If you’re using gel, now is the time to cure the polish using an LED lamp.

Step six

This is optional, but to elevate your manicure even further (like Julie did in the pic), apply a chrome or mermaid powder between layers of non-wipe top gel on a few nails (this only works if you’re using gel polish; Julie used chrome powder on the pinky and the thumb), and glue on a few gemstones (tweezers will help you place them) to finish.