Once your base coat dries (give it at least one minute), it's time to load your airbrush nail gun with a water-based paint. "Regular nail polish is very thick and will clog it so that is not recommended," Lee said. A kit like the Ophir Nail Ink Airbrushing Kit ($116) is a bit pricier, but it has everything you need inside: the tool, water-based paints, stencils, and cleaning instruments.
Test the airbrush paint on a paper towel first to ensure it's smooth and working properly, and make sure you have additional paper towels down on your workspace. "Another tip is to border your nail with scotch tape or liquid latex (like PrettyDiva Liquid Latex For Nails ($13)) to help prevent any excess paint from going onto the skin," Lee said.
