A ruffian: Milky Cobalt over the whole nail with a rim of Cobalt left bare at the cuticle.
3 bottles: Cobalt, Milky Cobalt and Deep Cobalt. Cobalt and Milky Cobalt sit a comfortable distance apart: the motif is clearly legible without shouting, which is the easiest range to freehand in. 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
Bottles for this nail
Tap a bottle to open it on the shelfWhat you need
How to paint Cobalt Ruffian nails
- 1 Buff, dehydrate and base coat, then cure. Two coats of Cobalt. A dark base shows every ridge, so the ridge-filling base coat matters more than usual here.
- 2 Paint Milky Cobalt over the whole nail but stop short of the cuticle, leaving an even band of Cobalt.
- 3 Gloss top coat, cure, then cuticle oil once it is out of the lamp.
Questions about Cobalt Ruffian
Is Cobalt Ruffian hard to do at home?
It is the hardest tier on the site. It is doable at home, but the technique is the point rather than the colour. Budget an hour or more 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 Cobalt Ruffian?
3 bottles: Cobalt (crème), Milky Cobalt (sheer) and Deep Cobalt (crème). Plus a base coat and a gloss top coat, which every design here assumes you already have.
Does Cobalt Ruffian 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 Cobalt Ruffian need?
More than you would expect. Milky Cobalt 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.