Inspired by my Stela :) She wanted all these colors on her toes and her result, gave me this idea! Interesting side note: Stela means Star * How appropriate...
You can do many versions of this technique, just make sure you have 3 colors that go well together and transition well from light to dark to get this effect.
How to pick your colors:
1st color: Choose a solid, light colored base. i.e. white, silver, or any pearlescent color. For best results, use a color with a shimmer or a metallic base.
2nd color: Choose a sparkly color that is darker than the first but not your darkest sparkle color you own. i.e. sparkly silver, pink, yellow...anything that shows up on your nail lightly with one coat and is build-able when you layer it on.
3rd color: This will be your darkest color, shimmer is required and sparkle is ideal. I say that because, a shimmer will work but a sparkle is easiest to blend into the other colors.
i.e. sparkly brown, black, dark red, orange...basically anything DARK
Now for the application!
1. Start with color #1, apply a thin coat to the whole nail, let dry. Repeat.
2. With 2nd color, apply starting at the cuticle side and bring down a bit past half way.
3. Again with color #2 apply starting in the same place but stopping right at the half way point.
4. Apply color 2 one more time but only going a quarter of the way down. (this gives the fading effect)
5. Apply color #3 from cuticle end down to about 1/3 of your nail.
6. Using color 3 once more, apply to the first 1/4 of your nail do add depth.
7. Repeat step 6 once or twice more to add desired contrast.
8. Apply a fast drying top coat to seal it all in!
