21 Aura Nails Design Ideas We’re Loving + Full Tutorial Guide

How to Do Aura Nails – A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Ready to manifest (aka DIY) your perfect aura nails? Here’s a step-by-step tutorial for creating an enchanting aura nail design at home!

1. Start by prepping your nails. Remove any old polish, shape your nails, and push back your cuticles. We also suggest applying a clear base coat to protect your natural nails before going in with your ethereal polish.

2. Next, apply your base color. While many aura nails feature a nude or sheer base color to make the ombre design stand out, others use the base as part of the aura color palette. There are no wrong answers here! You can even choose a color that’s slightly lighter or darker than your main aura color to create depth and maximize the hazy, radiant effect.

3. Once your base coat is dry, it’s time to start creating your aura! Using a small sponge or beauty blender, dab on your aura polish in an oval shape. Try to make the center as opaque as possible, and use the sponge to soften the edges.

4. Continue step three until your aura nail design looks as radiant as possible. You can also layer another color in the middle of your first aura to give your nails a glowing look. Just remember to let each layer dry before you add another!

5. For a super enchanting design, we also love adding celestial nail art on top of our aura nails. Use small brushes, stickers, or even gems and rhinestones to DIY an out-of-this-world celestial design. The sky’s the limit!

6. To lock in your eye-catching aura, apply a high-quality top coat as a finishing touch. This not only seals the nail art but also adds extra shine and protection. You can also add some cuticle oil to keep your nails strong, healthy, and radiant!

P.S. This isn’t the only technique to DIY aura nail designs. We’ve also seen nail pros use eyeshadow to create the glowing effect, as well as airbrush machines (which you can use at home!). Experiment with different techniques, and don’t be discouraged if your mani doesn’t come out perfect the first time!