Galaxy nails aren’t just for astronomy majors.  I’ve tried to recreate the look a few times and never been too happy with the result. They look absolutely beautiful, but look pretty complicated.  Every time I’ve tried in the past, they just look sort of … sloppy.  After many attempts and several different methods, I finally figured out the secret to galaxy nails: a makeup sponge.  I’m here to show you exactly how to get the most fabulous looking galaxy nails.

To get the galaxy look, I used:

• Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer in Onyx Rush
• China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Frostbite
• OPI Nail Lacquer in I Vant to Be A-Lone Star
• Love & Beauty Nail Polish in Fushia
• Sinful Colors in Queen of Beauty
• OPI Nail Lacquer in The Living Daylights

I started with a black base, using Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer in Onyx Rush.  I used two coats of this because it’s a bit sheer at first, but it’s the perfect black for galaxy nails because it has the faintest hint of a shimmer to it.  Be sure to let the black base dry at least most of the way because you’ll be sponging other colors on top of it.

To begin the design, you’ll want a few different colors: a bright, electric blue, a silvery blue, and bright pink.  Starting with your electric blue (I used China Glaze Nail Lacquer in Frostbite), paint a few drops on the tip of your makeup sponge.  Begin by dabbing the sponge on one area of your nail, making sure not to concentrate too much in one area.  You want the polish to fade out.  Repeat this process with the same color on the rest of your nails.

Repeat the process with your silvery blue color (I used OPI Nail Lacquer in I Vant to Be A-Lone Star) in the same area of your nail as the brighter blue.  You’re not looking to cover the brighter blue totally – just overlap a bit.

Repeat again with the bright pink color (Love & Beauty Nail Polish in Fushia) on each nail, except on the opposite side of your nail from the blue.  You really want a bright pink because you want a shade that will show up against the black.  It’ll actually look more purple than pink, but that’s the look you’re going for!

You might think your nails look like a sloppy mess at this point.  You’ve probably got sponged nail polish all over your cuticles.  Not to mention, you probably don’t have a shiny, smooth finish that you get with most manicures. Have no fear!  The look gets all tied together with the glitter.  You want two different glitters to complete the look: a polish with tiny flecks and a polish with large flecks.  Polish each nail with one thin coat of your smaller glitter (Sinful Colors in Queen of Beauty).  This smooths your polish and creates a shimmery, starry sky.

The final step is totally optional, but I really think it adds to the look! Take your larger glitter (OPI Nail Lacquer in The Living Daylights) and carefully place about three or four flecks of glitter sporadically around your nail.  These would be the brighter stars – perhaps planets!  I’m not quite sure as I didn’t do well in astronomy. What I do know is that I’m so proud of how this galaxy manicure came out.  I think it’s gorgeous and pretty easy to create!

What do you think – would you try out this intergalactic manicure?

Check out more great manicure tutorials:

• Manicure Monday: You’re Such a BudaPest
• Manicure Monday: Neutral Daisies
• Manicure Monday: Matte Jelly Glitter