DIY Newsprint Nails Tutorial

Last week, I was perusing one of my fashion apps when I saw the coolest nail art.  Called newsprint nails, this easy DIY design combines two of my favorite things: words and uniquely painted nails. 

The completed look

After YouTubing several tutorials, I came up with my own, slightly modified method of creating newsprint nails.

What You'll Need

Gather up some newspaper, rubbing alcohol, a small bowl, a light nail polish color, and a clear topcoat polish.  Here are the two polishes I used:

Several tutorials recommend using a bone, ivory, or white polish, but I'm partial to a blush pink.

Step 1:

Cut your newspaper into small squares, just big enough to cover your fingernail:

You'll want to get a text-rich portion of the paper to allow for maximum word-age on your nails. 

Step 2:

Paint your fingernails in the light color of your choice.  For best results, use two coats.

Step 3:

Wait for about half an hour to make sure your nails are completely dry.  I watched the first half of Glee while I waited for mine to dry.  

Step 4:

Pour the rubbing alcohol into your bowl so that it is about an inch deep.  

Step 5:

Soak one nail in the rubbing alcohol for about 10 seconds.  While you're soaking, put one newspaper strip into the rubbing alcohol and allow it to soak for about 10 seconds as well.

Step 6:

Remove your nail and the strip from the alcohol.  Place the strip, text down, over your nail.  Hold the strip on your nail for about 1 minute.  That part is important.  You need to hold it steadily on your nail, and use either your palm or your fingers.  The steady hand assures that your text won't blur, and the heat from your hand will transfer the ink onto your fingernail.

Step 7:

Peel the newspaper square off of your nail.  The text should have transferred.

Step 8:

Repeat steps 5, 6, and 7 for each nail.  Try not to get the nails that you've already done wet, but if they do get alcohol on them once or twice, it shouldn't be a big deal.  This process should take 10-15 minutes

Step 9:

Wait for the rubbing alcohol to dry (about a minute or two), and apply a topcoat.

Voila!  You're done!

I tested out the method on my two big toes first so that I got a good feel for what I was doing:

The newsprint nail was a little time-consuming (the whole process took about 45-50 minutes), but the manicure lasted about a week with very little chipping.  The chipping that did happen wasn't as noticeable because the polish isn't the focus; the words are. 

I'd love to try the comics section of the paper next, so if any of you beat me to it, you'll have to let me know how it works out!

For now, go try this method and enjoy your nerdy nails!