Former nail biter turned polish-obsessed blogger Amanda Shiko of Mae's Beauty Reports challenged herself to create a nail art design inspired by a song. Her tune of choice? "Animal" by Neon Trees. Naturally, the look is one part neon and one part animal—leopard to be specific.
Here's how to copy her fierce fingers.
- Step 1: Apply a base coat. Amanda loves the Nail-Aid Peeling Nail Intense Repair Gel because it helps prevent peeling and cracking, a side effect of her constant polishing and removing.
- Step 2: Paint two thin coats of white nail polish like L'Oreal Colour Riche Nail in Top of the Line. "With neons you need a base (such as a silver or white) to really make the neon pop," says Amanda. Let the white dry for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Step 3: Paint your neon shade over the white. Amanda used pink on her left hand (try China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Pink Voltage) and blue on her right (try OPI Nail Lacquer in Fly). Paint three coats total, allowing each to dry for two to three minutes.
- Step 4: Choose a color for the center of the leopard spots. (Amanda used Zoya Nail Polish in Charisma for her pink nails and Essie Nail Color in Vermillionaire for her blue nails.) Before applying, wipe most of the nail polish off on the neck of the bottle. Then paint different sized dots and smudges on your nails.
- Step 5: Put a small amount of black nail polish onto a flat surface, like a note card. Next, "Flatten the tip of a toothpick, dip it into the black, and create 'U' and 'C' shapes around the dots," says Amanda.
- Step 5: Finish by applying a clear, quick-drying top coat. Amanda loves the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, which she says "dries almost instantly."
- Extra tip: Keep a photo of your inspiration handy so you can refer to it as you paint. It'll keep your art on track.
Would you wear Amanda's two-toned leopard nails?
Laura Nadeau
May 9, 2012
I use magnifying glasses when applying polish and make sure my hand is anchored to avoid shaky application.
Amanda
May 9, 2012
I Just put my hand out, my right hand spread out kind of to the side so that my nails are facing toward me without it being too akward, and then anchor my wrist on the table, couch wherever I am doing my nails. How do you use the magnifying glasses for it
Laura Nadeau
May 9, 2012
I just wear reading glasses so I can see a slightly magnified version. I feel like a surgeon!
Amanda
May 9, 2012
Oh ok I gotcha.
Yea, I just anchor my hand to the table or the flat surface and just really take my time sometimes I still shake, just takes practice, I still need some. 
Laura Nadeau
May 9, 2012
That is amazing! Is she ambidextrous? Does she have any tips for working with your weak hand?
Amanda
May 9, 2012
I am not ambidextrous, wish I was
just a steady hand. I have been doing the 31 Day Nail Challenge, you can check that out on my blog and it has really helped me to do just that, challenge myself, and over the course of the Challenges, I have gotten better with my left hand. Just to be patient and go slow and I got a little better at it, still not a pro believe me, Glad you liked the look, thank you so much!
cheryl
May 9, 2012
I am in awe of the talent, and the ability to share in detail how the look was created.. Anyone that is or was a biter, would benefit greatly by choosing these challenges, and I for one think it looks amazing! Enjoyed this article!!
Amanda
May 9, 2012
Thank you so much!