Vampire Ombre Nails: Black to Blood Red, Step by Step

A vampire ombre fades from black at the cuticle to blood red at the tip. A sponge blends it, and you cure in thin layers so the gradient stays smooth.

Gather these first

Ombre Painting Gel KitMSRP $96.00Detailing Gel 03 RedMSRP $7.50Detailing Gel 01 BlackMSRP $7.50Ombre Sponge and ToolMSRP $5.50Duo Paint and Ombre BrushMSRP $16.95

The routine

1. 1

   Prep

   Prep and dehydrate

   File, buff and wipe the nail, then dehydrate with pH Bond.

   pH BondMSRP from $8.25
2. 2

   Base

   Base coat and light ground

   Brush on a thin coat of base coat and cure. Add a thin nude or white ground so the red stays bright at the tip.

   Base CoatMSRP $7.25
3. 3

   Color

   Paint both colors

   Brush a stripe of black at the cuticle end and a stripe of red at the tip on a clean makeup sponge or sponge tool. Leave a small gap in the middle where they will meet.

4. 4

   Blend

   Dab the sponge on the nail

   Press the sponge onto the nail and roll it gently toward the tip so the colors meet. Lift straight up. Do not drag.

5. 5

   Cure

   Cure the first layer

   Cure under your LED lamp following the label. The first layer is usually sheer. That is fine.

6. 6

   Build

   Repeat for depth

   Add a second thin layer of color with the sponge, then cure. Two or three thin layers give a smooth, strong gradient.

7. 7

   Detail

   Add a fang drip, if you like

   Pull one small red drip down from the tip with a fine brush for a vampire touch. Cure.

   Red detail gelMSRP $7.50
8. ✓

   Seal

   Seal and finish

   Seal with Diamond No Wipe Top Coat and cure. Finish with cuticle oil.

   No Wipe TopMSRP $7.25

Vampire variations

Prep and finish

Nail Prep PH BondMSRP from $8.25

Soak Off Gel - Base Coat 0.5ozMSRP $7.25

Diamond Soak Off Gel No Wipe Top Coat 0.5ozMSRP $7.25