nailed it: easy metallic art

Nail art can be a fun addition to a manicure, especially when you can do it at home. I recently bought a metallic Sharpie in gold and spread some Valentine's cheer by adding some hearts to my bright pink manicure.

The idea for this genius nail art came from one of my favorite beauty blogs and it's a cinch to complete. To get this look, paint two coats of your favorite nail polish. I used a polish from Forever 21 called Pink Peony.

Wait at least an hour, but more if you can help it, because the Sharpie will smudge if your polish isn't completely and utterly dry. Once the polish is dry, get creative! I added two hearts on my ring fingers and one heart on my pinkies, but add stars or polka dots or a graphic pattern or whatever is suiting your mood.

You'll also have to wait before you apply the top coat because the Sharpie ink needs to be completely dry. Don't skip a top coat, though, because I learned the hard way that the Sharpie ink will rub off quickly without sealing it in. This is also the time to clean up the extra polish that may have made it onto your fingers (I'm always coloring outside the lines, as seen below).

The Sharpie costs about $3 so it's cheaper and easier to use than nail polish pens. The ink will also come off with nail polish remover, so it allows for infinite, fun possibilities. Enjoy your arts and crafts time!