The world of nail art is ever expanding. Whether you’re going all in with Hailey Bieber-inspired glazed donut nails, opting for a hint of green (which, by the way, is the unexpected colour of the season) or debating some bright and colourful summer nail art, the options are limitless.

But if it’s something a bit more nostalgic that you’re after, that adds a point of interest without making too much of a statement, then ombre nails could be just the thing for you. It’s a trend that’s been around for a few years, and the fact it’s still just as popular today speaks volumes. Much like ombre hair, ombre nails involve creating a seamless gradient between two – or sometimes more – colours on each finger. 

Easier than it sounds to achieve, while you could go to a salon and have it done professionally, it’s actually a look that’s easy to do yourself; and aside from the nail polish colours of your choice, all you need is a small eyeshadow brush. And chances are you probably have one of those sitting in your makeup bag.

To achieve ombre nails from the comfort of your own home, it’s literally a case of applying one of your chosen colours on one half of your nail. Then, apply the other shade to the other half. Before the nail paint dries, gently dab the eyeshadow brush across the point where the two colours meet in order to blend the two colours together to create a blurred line. 

If you don’t have an eyeshadow brush to hand, don’t worry. Instead, you could use a foundation or beauty sponge. The only caveat is that it’s better to work with a dense sponge – meaning it has a tighter or closer texture – rather than something more porous, which could leave tiny imprints behind on your nails. 

If you need a little more guidance, or want to see for yourself exactly how easy ombre nails are to achieve, watch this tutorial by celebrity nail artist Jenni Draper, and if you’re feeling inspired, keep scrolling to see some of our favourite colour combinations.

Main image: Getty