Striped nail art looks sharp and graphic, and it is more achievable than it appears. The trick is not a perfectly steady hand. It is choosing a method that does the straight-line work for you. There are three: masking with tape, painting with a long brush, and sticking on striping tape.
Method 1: Masking with tape
This method gives the crispest edges.
You need: low-tack tape, such as painter's tape or ordinary tape pressed on the back of your hand a few times to reduce its stickiness, small scissors and two polish colors.
- Paint the base color, which will become the color of the stripes. Apply a quick-dry top coat and let it dry completely, ideally for an hour or more. Tape lifts polish that is not fully dry.
- Cut thin strips of tape and press them onto the nail in your chosen pattern. Press the edges down firmly.
- Paint the second color over the whole nail, in one thin coat.
- Peel the tape away at once, while the polish is still wet, pulling slowly at a low angle.
- Let it dry and apply top coat.
Method 2: Painting with a striping brush
A striping brush is long and very thin. The length of the bristles helps the line to stay straight.
- Paint and dry your base color.
- Put a drop of polish on a piece of foil.
- Load the brush and wipe off the excess, so that there is no blob at the tip.
- Rest your hand. Touch the tip of the brush to the nail at the starting point.
- Lay the bristles down along the line you want and pull the brush towards you in one smooth movement. For a vertical stripe, start at the cuticle and move to the tip.
- Reload for each line.
Move the finger you are painting instead of twisting the brush, and do not go back over a line that has started to set.
Method 3: Striping tape
Striping tape is very thin, self-adhesive tape in metallic and plain colors. It stays on the nail as the stripe.
- Paint and fully dry your base color.
- Cut a piece of tape slightly longer than you need.
- Lay it on the nail with tweezers and press it flat.
- Trim the ends just inside the edges of the nail with small scissors or nippers, so that they do not catch.
- Seal with two layers of top coat, making sure that the ends are covered.
Stripe designs to try
| Design | How | Best method |
|---|---|---|
| Single vertical stripe | One line down the center | Brush or striping tape |
| Pinstripes | Several thin vertical lines | Brush |
| Horizontal bands | Stripes across the nail, nautical style | Tape or brush |
| Diagonal stripes | Lines from one side to the opposite corner | Tape |
| Color block | One diagonal line dividing two colors | Tape |
| Chevron | Two diagonals meeting in a V | Tape cut to a point |
| Criss-cross | Lines crossing to make diamonds | Striping tape |
| Side stripe | One line along the edge of the nail | Brush |
| Striped French tip | A band at the tip with a thin line beneath | Brush or tape |
Which direction suits your nails?
- Vertical stripes make nails look longer and narrower. They are the best choice for short or wide nails. See Minimalist Nail Art for Short Nails.
- Horizontal stripes make nails look wider and shorter, and suit long nails.
- Diagonal stripes add movement and suit every length.
Tips for crisp lines
- Thin coats of polish bleed less under tape.
- Press the tape edges down with a fingernail or an orangewood stick.
- Remove tape while the top color is wet.
- For brush work, slightly thinner polish flows better. Nail art polishes with a built-in striping brush are convenient.
- Keep a small flat brush and remover nearby to tidy edges.
Common problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Tape pulled up the base color | Let the base dry longer; make the tape less sticky first |
| Polish bled under the tape | Press the edges down; use thinner coats |
| A wobbly brush line | Thicken it slightly to even it out, or turn it into a wider band |
| Striping tape ends lifting | Trim them shorter and seal with more top coat |
| Lines of different widths | Use tape or striping tape for consistency |
Color ideas
Navy and white is nautical and classic. Black on nude is modern. Gold striping tape on any dark color looks polished. Three shades of one color make a soft, tonal stripe. See Nail Art Color Combinations: How to Choose a Palette for palettes.
For tools, see Nail Art Tools: Brushes, Dotting Tools, and Accessories. For more starter designs, see Easy Nail Art Ideas for Beginners, and for stripe-based French tips, French Manicure Ideas: Classic and Modern Designs.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I paint straight lines on my nails?
Use tape as a mask, a long striping brush pulled in one smooth stroke, or adhesive striping tape. Rest your hands on a table for stability.
How long should polish dry before I put tape on it?
At least an hour, and longer if you can. A quick-dry top coat over the base helps to protect it from the tape.
Why does my striping tape peel off?
The ends are probably too long or not sealed. Trim them just short of the nail edge and cover them with two coats of top coat.