The challenge for this week’s Watermarble Practice Wednesday is Matte Starburst. Let’s just say I still need the practice! I’ve managed to avoid the bubbles this time, but somehow I managed to miss the Watermarble Starburst when I dipped my fingers.
There are some lovely watermarble petals here, even if I do say so myself!
Well at least there’s a nice starburst there on my index finger!
Polishes and tools
Your favourite base coat and top coat
Cirque Xochitl
OPI Color Paints Purple Perspective, Pen & Pink, Turquoise Aesthetic, and Indigo Motif
Rimmel Pro Matte Top Coat
Pure Color Watermarble tool
Disposable cup filled with room temperature water
Tweezers
Paper towel
Rainbow Connection Zap
After the base coat, I started with two coats of Xochitl, a lovely orchid-coloured holographic polish. I had it pretty much opaque in one coat, but used two for depth.
After that, I painted around my cuticles up to the first knuckle with Zap, and waited for it to dry.
I made each bullseye in the cup of water using about 12 drops of polish. I’m still paranoid about using these polishes up, but I’ve barely reached the widest part of the OPI bottles.
Plus, I always feel watermarbling uses up so much polish. But it’s ok, I still have plenty of polish.
I used the tool to draw an 8-pointed star outwards, and then another into the centre. I wipe the tip of the tool on some paper towel in between, and try to barely touch the surface.
Aiming for the middle (apparently) I dipped one finger at a time, and used a cotton bud to sweep the rest of the polish off the surface of the water. Then I pulled my finger out the water, keeping it at about 45° angle throughout.
I used tweezers to pull off the latex and I only had to do pretty minimal clean up. I added a layer of normal top coat before mattifying it, because I don’t want streaks!
I managed more starbursts on my left hand, but contrast between colours isn’t so good.
Watermarble Starburst
It’s just as well Wednesdays are for practice! I’m not really sure how I kept missing it, but at least the petals are pretty. But nearly no bubbles!!
What do you need some practice at to improve? I’ve found regular practice has made all the difference to my watermarbles.
July 7, 2016
That looks amazing. Love the colour purple 🙂
July 7, 2016
Thanks Dean, I’m really happy I’m progressing 🙂
July 7, 2016
This is such a cool effect, and I love the colour combo too! x
July 7, 2016
Thank you Jess!
July 7, 2016
What lovely colours I love how you do such cool effects.
July 7, 2016
Thanks Joanna! I love learning new techniques and all the practice has been helping me get on top of this one 🙂
July 7, 2016
Wow, this is pretty darn funky!
July 8, 2016
Thank you!!
July 7, 2016
Ooh I love these! I love deep purple for nails and the effect you have done is amazing, I have no idea how you do it, especially on the right hand, I just don’t have a steady enough hand!
July 8, 2016
Thank you! I think watermarble isn’t so bad on the right hand, you only have to stick your finger in the water. Freehand on my right hand, now that took a bit of practice!
July 7, 2016
Wow that looks fabulous! I am so rubbish at nail varnish but would love to try something like this
July 8, 2016
Thanks Nikki! Watermarble is definitely a bit more of a challenging technique but I love the effect.
July 8, 2016
I love the colours here, they go so well together
July 12, 2016
Thank you Kara!
July 8, 2016
This is beautiful, I love the marbling effect, it is just so pretty x
July 8, 2016
Thank you Rachel! I love it too 🙂
July 8, 2016
I am so in love with your nail posts!! I love the effect of this one and the colour is so beautiful. x
July 8, 2016
Thank you Chloe! A bit of a shame I kept missing the design I wanted but I’m definitely getting better 🙂
July 9, 2016
Some of our favourite colours! Love the marbling effect!
July 9, 2016
Thank you Isabella! Watermarble always gives such a unique look.
July 9, 2016
Ohh these are beautiful. I love how creative you are!! Beautiful nails 🙂
July 9, 2016
Thank you Claire! This is one of my favourite techniques 🙂
July 9, 2016
I love reading your nail posts these are gorgeous and totally love the colour xx
July 9, 2016
Thank you Danielle, I’m so glad you’re enjoying them ☺️
July 9, 2016
Wow these look amazing, I wish I could do something fun with my nails! I can hardly paint them without getting it all over myself haha! I looked at some of your old posts and LOVE the rainbow version of this too 😀 x
July 10, 2016
If you’re ok with latex, try applying a barrier layer around your nails. I get mine from Rainbow Connection in the UK. But then you can peel off any mess!
July 11, 2016
Love the colours, that purple is stunning and the design is really fab. I usually use a block colour as it’s easier (and I don’t have the skills for something this complicated).
July 16, 2016
Thank you Anca! You can start with something simple like adding glitter or dots. Or just try something new on one nail to make it a feature (and save time)!