3 Simple Nail Art Ideas Inspired by the Spring 2012 Runways

"Imaxtree"

We visited brilliant nail artist

Fleury Rose at Tomahawk Salon in Brooklyn, where she helped us translate the hottest Spring 2012 trends into designs that are super easy to DIY! Read on for a step-by-step guide on how to get a right-off-the-runway manicure.

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Zebra Print: Runway Inspiration

Michael Kors Spring 2012

Zebra Print

After applying a base coat, choose a warm, greyish color as your first coat of polish — this one perfectly mimics the tribal feel of Michael Kors' Spring 2012 collection.

Zebra Print

As your second coat, pick a shiny silver polish to go on top of the grey. Make sure that you wipe the brush almost clean — that will give it a really cool, antiquated look, as well as let the base color peek through.

Zebra Print

This design is meant to be a realistic zebra print, so Fleury suggests using a fine black nail art brush (you can find these in any beauty supply store). Start by drawing a small line coming up from the bottom corner of your nail, and follow that line with an overarching "V" shape.

Zebra Print

Fleury suggests alternating between a small line and a "V" all the way up the nail, working toward the tip. For some variety, you can switch which side you start from and the direction of the lines. You can even start from the top corner of a few of your nails, but be extra careful not to smudge!

Zebra Print

Here's a closer look!

Zebra Print

Once the black polish has dried completely, apply a clear top coat.

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Sweet Sunflowers: Runway Inspiration

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2012

Sweet Sunflowers

Start with a base coat (Fleury recommends Essie Ridge Filler) and two coats of a flat white polish.

Sweet Sunflowers

With a yellow nail art pen, start placing polka dots in different sizes along the nail. Fleury suggests maintaining two triangle shapes with points that meet in the middle, as shown.

Sweet Sunflowers

Next, take a green nail art pen and draw the "leaves" that will connect the yellow dots. To make the leaf shape, Fleury suggests drawing a small polka dot and "flicking" it out with the pen tip into more of a line.

Sweet Sunflowers

Here's how your leaves should look when they're finished!

Sweet Sunflowers

The final step is drawing a tiny black dot with a nail art pen in the center of each "flower," or yellow dot. Keep in mind that they don't need to be perfect, and will often look better with some variation in the design.

Sweet Sunflowers

The finished product! Make sure to let the black paint dry completely before applying a clear topcoat.

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Flames: Runway Inspiration

Prada Spring 2012

Prada Flames

Begin with a base coat, followed by two coats of a bright, orangey-red polish (Fleury likes Alarm by Illamasqua).

Prada Flames

Next, take a small eyeliner brush — you can buy disposable ones at Ricky's — and apply yellow polish at the tip of the nail, just like you're doing a French manicure. For this design, Fleury chose Lightening by Sally Hensen.

Prada Flames

Start at the top of the nail and paint "S"-shaped squiggly lines towards the cuticle. Add a few on each nail in various lengths, but always start at the tip.

Prada Flames

Continue this pattern on each of your nails.

Prada Flames

After the flames have dried completely, take a black nail art pen to trace the design on each nail. Move from the free edge towards the cuticle to outline the yellow flames. Fleury says that the key is having the black lines around each flame come together to meet in the middle. Be very careful not to smudge!

Prada Flames

Once the black paint has completely dried — this might take over an hour — apply a clear topcoat. And there you have it: Prada nails! Or, for all of you Hunger Games fans out there, Girl on Fire nails.

For countless more creative nail art ideas, head over to Fleury's Tumblr, or visit her at Tomahawk Salon in Brooklyn.