Dot nail art is the friendliest technique in nail design. A dot does not need a steady line or an artistic hand. It needs only a round tip, a drop of polish and a light touch. From that one skill you can build polka dots, flowers, hearts, animal prints and gradients.
Tools
| Tool | Dot size |
|---|---|
| Toothpick or pin | Tiny |
| Small dotting tool | Small |
| Bobby pin tip, medium dotting tool | Medium |
| Large dotting tool, pencil eraser, pin head | Large |
A double-ended dotting tool with two sizes is inexpensive and worth buying if you enjoy this. See Nail Art Tools: Brushes, Dotting Tools, and Accessories.
What else you need
- A base color and one or more contrasting colors.
- A piece of foil or a plastic lid to use as a palette.
- A tissue for wiping the tool.
- Top coat.
The basic method
- Paint your base color and let it dry completely.
- Pour a small drop of polish onto the foil. Refresh it every couple of minutes, because polish thickens as it sits.
- Dip the tip of the tool straight down into the drop. Pick up a small bead.
- Touch the nail lightly, with the tool held upright, and lift straight up. Do not press or drag.
- Reload for each dot if you want them all the same size.
- Wipe the tool on a tissue between colors and every few dots.
- Let the dots dry for at least five to ten minutes. Dots are thicker than a coat of polish.
- Float a top coat over the nail, with a generous bead and very little pressure.
Controlling the size
- More polish on the tool and a little more pressure give a bigger dot.
- If you make several dots without reloading, each one comes out smaller. Use this for a trail of shrinking dots.
Eight dot designs
1. Classic polka dots
Place a row of dots across the center of the nail, then offset the rows above and below, like a brick pattern.
2. Scattered confetti
Dots of several colors and sizes placed at random over a nude or white base.
3. Gradient dots
Cluster the dots thickly at the tip and thin them out towards the cuticle, or the reverse.
4. Single dot
One dot near the cuticle on each nail. It is minimal and takes a minute. See Minimalist Nail Art for Short Nails.
5. Dotted French tip
A line of small dots following the curve of the tip instead of a painted band.
6. Dot flowers
Five dots in a ring and one in the center. See Floral Nail Art: Simple Flower Designs to Try.
7. Hearts
Two dots side by side, each pulled down to a shared point with a toothpick.
8. Leopard spots
A soft, irregular dot of one color, with two or three short curved marks around it in black.
Dragged-dot effects
While dots are still wet, a toothpick can turn them into other shapes.
- Drag through a dot from the top for a teardrop or petal.
- Drag through a row of dots for a chain of hearts.
- Swirl two wet dots of different colors for a marbled spot.
Layout tips
- Start with the center dot and work outward, to keep the pattern balanced.
- On small nails, use fewer, smaller dots.
- For symmetry, place the dots at the cuticle, middle and tip first, then fill in.
- Keep dots a little away from the edges of the nail, so that they do not smudge when you cap the tip.
Common problems
| Problem | Cause and fix |
|---|---|
| Dots with a peak or tail | Polish too thick, or tool lifted at an angle; use fresh polish and lift straight up |
| Uneven sizes | Reload the tool for every dot |
| Smeared dots after top coat | Dots not dry, or brush pressed too hard; wait longer and float the top coat |
| Stringy polish | The drop has thickened; pour a new one |
| Dots too large | Use a smaller tool or pick up less polish |
Color ideas
White dots on any bright color are always fresh. Black on nude is graphic. Pastel dots on white feel playful. For help with pairing colors, see Nail Art Color Combinations: How to Choose a Palette. For other first designs, see Easy Nail Art Ideas for Beginners.
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Frequently asked questions
What can I use instead of a dotting tool?
A toothpick, the rounded tip of a bobby pin, the head of a pin or the end of a small makeup brush all make good dots.
How do I make all my dots the same size?
Dip the tool into fresh polish before every dot and touch the nail with the same light pressure each time.
How long should dots dry before top coat?
At least five to ten minutes. Thick dots need longer, and the top coat should be floated on without pressing.