Ocean Melt | Watch Me Work
Can't have the blues when you're beach bound.
Salty air, crashing waves, and the warmth of the summer sun. When a client requested something soft and ocean-inspired for a beach wedding, a melty blue marble felt like the perfect fit.
This look was inspired by the shifting colors of the ocean, where deep blues, seafoam, and cloudy whites swirl together in a way that's impossible to perfectly replicate. That's part of the beauty of marbling. Every nail turns out a little different.
Watch Me Work
The Secret to the Melt
The star of the show here is Hazy Gel. It creates the perfect catalyst for the marbling effect.
When working with Hazy Gel, or any blooming gel for that matter, I prefer bottled color gels over potted gels. The thinner viscosity allows the color to move and bloom more naturally, which is exactly what creates that soft watercolor-like melt.
For the canvas, I started with a structured gel overlay using Nail Thoughts Tinted Base in NTB-24 Baby Cakes.
Preparation Is Key
When working with Hazy Gel (or any blooming gel, for that matter), you need to have your mise en place ready to go. Once the Hazy Gel hits the nail, the clock starts ticking. Having your colors mixed and ready allows you to focus on placement and movement rather than scrambling to control runaway gel.
Before applying your Hazy Gel, create your color mixture on a palette. I like to combine several shades of blue and white and always add a touch of sheer white to soften the blend. Give the colors a loose swirl before transferring them to the nail.
The trick is to scoop the pre-swirled color directly from the palette and gently drop it into the wet layer of Hazy Gel rather than overmixing on the nail.
One Nail at a Time
I applied a thin (always thin) layer of Clear Hazy Gel and dropped my marbled color mixture into the wet layer using a Medium Flat Brush.
Work one nail at a time. Hazy Gel can absolutely have a mind of its own and, if left unattended, can become a little chonky around the sidewalls.
Once the marble reaches that sweet spot where everything feels balanced, cure and finish with Ultra Glossy Non-Wipe Top Coat.
Products Used
All products used are from Kokoist:
NT-13 Window Breeze
NT-01 Fresh Sheets
NT-02 Overcast
NT-30 Mood Ring
NT-74 What Time Is It?
NTB-24 Baby Cakes
Hazy Gel Clear
Ultra Glossy Non-Wipe Top Coat
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