Bubblegum Diagonal Block nails

Almond · Diagonal Block

Easy at home

A diagonal split: Bubblegum and Milk Bath cut corner to corner across the nail.

3 bottles: Bubblegum, Milk Bath and Deep Fuchsia. Bubblegum and Milk Bath are close in tone, so the design is tonal rather than graphic. It shows up in daylight and softens indoors. The bottles are not all the same finish (crème and sheer), so the pattern picks up light differently from the ground.

On an almond shape the canvas narrows toward the tip, so the design reads as slightly elongated. Usually flattering, occasionally something to compensate for.

Make it yours

Pick a part of the nail, then a shade
Base: Bubblegum · Crème Open the bottle

Bottles for this nail

Tap a bottle to open it on the shelf

What you need

Base colour one coat
Two gel paints contrast pair
Liner + dotting tool shapes and curves

How to paint Bubblegum Diagonal Block nails

  1. 1 Buff, dehydrate and base coat, then cure. Two thin coats of Bubblegum, curing each one.
  2. 2 Tape corner to corner over cured Bubblegum, fill with Milk Bath, and lift the tape while it is still wet.
  3. 3 Gloss top coat, cure, then cuticle oil once it is out of the lamp.

Questions about Bubblegum Diagonal Block

  • Is Bubblegum Diagonal Block hard to do at home?

    Yes. There is no freehand work that has to be accurate. Budget about 30 minutes for a full set, and three colours means three chances for something to bleed, so cure between each one rather than working wet on wet.

  • What polish do I need for Bubblegum Diagonal Block?

    3 bottles: Bubblegum (crème), Milk Bath (sheer) and Deep Fuchsia (crème). Plus a base coat and a gloss top coat, which every design here assumes you already have.

  • Does Bubblegum Diagonal Block work on short nails?

    Almond needs a little length to hold its taper. On a short nail the shape reads closer to round, and the design still works, it just stops elongating the finger.

  • How many coats does Bubblegum Diagonal Block need?

    More than you would expect. Milk Bath is translucent, so the colour builds over three thin coats rather than covering in two. Stop wherever you like the depth — that is the point of a sheer.

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