The Straw Method

• 1
  Solid white or black nail color contrasts well with any bright colors.Goodshoot/Goodshoot/Getty Images
  
  Select an opaque nail polish color as a background color and at least one other color that contrasts well with the background color. Get your work surface ready by covering it with newspaper or paper towels.
  
  
• 2). Prepare your nails by applying the clear base coat and two coats of the background nail color. Allow your nails to dry thoroughly before proceeding.
  
  
• 3
  Plain scotch tape protects your fingers.NA/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
  
  Protect your finger skin by completely taping around the outside of your nails with scotch tape. Finish the splattering effect on one hand before proceeding to the other hand; it is difficult to hold the straws if both sets of fingers are covered with tape.
  
  
• 4
  Plastic drinking straws are great tools for applying splatter paint.Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Getty Images
  
  Place five to six drops of the nail polish color you want to splatter with on the paper plate. Dip the bottom of the straw into the polish, aim it at your fingernail holding it 1 to 2 inches above the nail and blow with a quick puff through the top of the straw. Repeat the process again on each nail until you get the desired result. Allow the color to dry completely before continuing to the next color. Use a fresh straw for each new color added.
  
  
• 5
  A clear top coat protects your hard work.Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Remove the protective tape from your fingers once you complete splattering each hand’s nails and the polish is completely dry. Carefully clean the skin around the edges of your nails with an angled makeup brush and acetone (see the Resources section) or dip a cotton swab into some nail polish remover and gently rub the skin around your nails until the excess polish is removed. Finalize your splatter manicure by applying a clear top coat over your nails.
  
  

The Toothbrush Method

• 1
  Have water handy to mix with the paint and for rinsing.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Follow the first three steps for the Straw Method (above). Put some water in the cup and place it on some newspaper on your work area.
  
  
• 2
  Any cheap soft toothbrush will work.Ablestock.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
  
  Wet the toothbrush in the water to prevent it from soaking up too much acrylic paint. Put a small amount of the acrylic paint on the paper plate and dip the ends of the toothbrush bristles into the paint. Work the paint carefully into the bristles of the brush by stroking your thumb over the bristles; point your brush down toward the newspaper while doing this to prevent spraying paint everywhere. Add a small amount of water to the toothbrush if the paint is too thick.
  
  
• 3). Place the hand that you want to apply the splatter color to with your palm down flat on the newspaper. Hold the toothbrush 1 to 2 inches away from your nails with the bristles pointing toward your fingers. Stroke the bristles of the toothbrush firmly with your opposite thumb to spray the color onto your nails. Continue until you get the desired effect. Rinse the toothbrush in the water. Allow the color on your nails to dry. Repeat steps two and three with each color you want to splatter on your nails.
  
  
• 4). Allow the acrylic colors to dry completely before proceeding; this will take about 10 minutes. Apply two layers of clear top coat, avoiding the cuticle area. Once the top coat is completely dry, use soap and water to clean any skin on your fingers and hands where acrylic color remains.