Why Don’t You… DIY A Negative Space Manicure?

27 Oct Why Don’t You… DIY A Negative Space Manicure?

‘Why Don’t You’ is my weekly tribute to legendary editor Diana Vreeland who penned a column of the same name for Harper’s Bazaar for 26 years begging, “Don’t just be your ordinary dull self. Why don’t you be ingenious and make yourself into something else?”

I hate when my nails aren’t done but lately, I’ve been going longer than I’m comfortable between manicures. Well, that’s not true, my nails are painted but I have that annoying ridge-like gap between the polish and my cuticles, signaling that it has actually been a while since I touched a bottle of nail polish.

That’s why when I went to Paintbox for my special, first day of work manicure, I chose a design featuring nail art using negative space. Because the design doesn’t require a base color, it gives off the illusion that the polish is floating against a naked nail bed. Don’t tell anyone but I’m coming up on Week Three with the manicure pictured above.

In short, it’s perfect for girls on the go, who like to look at something pretty while they’re banging on their keyboards all day. I reached out to Elin Dannerstedt, the founder of NCLA nail wraps — a brand known for it’s cool, Instagram-worthy nail designs seen in your favorite magazines and on your favorite celebs (she counts Beyoncé as a fan) — for tips on nailing the negative space mani at home.

“NCLA nail wraps are your best friend when it comes to negative space manicures,” Elin explained to me. “Our line of transparent [ed. note, my favorite, pictured above] nail wraps can be worn over a nude nail or over any color to give a negative space for each design! The Classics Collection give the impression of a negative space manicure by having white or black accent to the four designs. Each design comes in 14 colors ways.”

Add a gel top coat and you’ll be good to go! What do you think of negative space manis? What’s your go-to when it comes to your nails?