How to Paint Tiny, Adorably Chic Emoji on Your Nails

Updated on 3/1/2016 at 9:00 AM

POPSUGAR Photography | Benjamin Stone

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2015 was the year of the emoji. With the launch of Apple's new emoji in iOS 9.1, there was a smiley face frenzy this season. Dove even created a new set of emoticons for women with curly and wavy hair. And now that there are even more emojis on the way, we don't expect the craze for these cute little designs to die down anytime soon.

In the spirit of the smiley, celebrity manicurist Miss Pop created a gorgeous manicure with yellow faces on every fingertip. This design features some of our favorite faces, including the cool shades and the money mouth emoji. Find out how to re-create this design at home with a number two pencil when you keep reading. We promise it's not as hard as it looks!

Step 1

Coat the bare nail in a base coat like Orly Bonder Base Coat ($9) to create a clear base for this negative-space design. If you have some nail discoloration, try a color-correcting lacquer like Deborah Lippmann Genie in a Bottle ($20). Then, prep a yellow polish like Zoya Darcy ($9) by pouring some out onto foil or a plastic container.

Orly Bonder Basecoat

From

$8.59

Deborah Lippmann 'Genie In A Bottle' Illuminating Nail Tone Perfector Base Coat

Step 2

Use a traditional number two pencil to get the perfect round shape for your emoji design. Simply dip the eraser in the poured yellow paint and carefully press it onto your nail. Once the first layer dries, you might need to stamp on another layer. To make the hue even brighter, first press on a matte white nail polish color under the yellow.

Step 3

With the larger end of the Orly Dotter Duo ($7) tool, draw on the eyes with OPI Alpine Snow ($10). Move on to the mouth to give the white polish time to dry. Drawing a dot directly on another dot will cause smearing.

Orly Dotter Duo

From

OPI Nail Lacquer, Alpine Snow

From

$10

Step 4

Use a striper brush dipped in Essie Licorice ($9) to draw a straight mouth.

Essie deeps nail color, frock n roll 0.46 oz (14 ml)

From

$8.5

Step 5

The small end of the Orly Dotter Duo tool is the perfect size for the irises on the white eyes of the emoji. Once dry, top with a glossy topcoat like Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro ($45).