• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • PRICE LISTS
    • PRICE LIST: NAILS
    • PRICE LIST: MAKE-UP
  • CONTACT
  • SHOP
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • FAQ
    • Nails FAQ
    • Make-up FAQ
  • T&Cs
    • Refund and Returns Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  •  

Rambling Rose

  • Price Lists
    • Nails
    • Make-up
  • Shop
  • Blog
    • Articles
    • How to … & Tutorials
    • Make-up brushes & tools
    • Nails
    • Product Reviews
  • Contact
  • T&Cs
    • Refund and Returns Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Press

Pot o’ Gold nail art tutorial

March 9, 2016 | How to ... & Tutorials, Nails | Leave a Comment

St-Patricks-pot-o-gold I’ve had a few requests to do a step-by-step tutorial for one of my most recent St Patrick’s Day nail art designs. This is my first step-by-step nail art tutorial, so please leave a comment if you have any questions. Here goes:

• Before you begin painting your nails and doing the nail art, you need to prep your nails by cleansing them well with nail polish remover to get rid of any old polish and natural oils on the nail plate.
• Shape the nail to the desired shape with a nail file and gently brush away any excess dust.
• Gently push back your cuticles using a cuticle pusher or the flat end of an orangewood stick (orangewood sticks are available from Dollar stores or in beauty section of your local department store) and use the pointy end to gently remove any cuticle residue left over on the nail.
• Lightly buff the entire nail surface with a 180 grit buffer (this is usually the rough side on a buffing block). Do not use a nail file for this step, as its too rough and will damage your natural nail. Brush away any excess dust.
• Cleanse the nail again with nail cleanser (or nail polish remover) to remove any natural oils that have come to the surface of the nail.
• Apply Artistic pH Prep to dehydrate the nail plate.

• Apply a thin layer of your base coat, making sure to cap the free edge (this means painting the tip of the nail, for those who are not nail techs and will be trying to recreate this with whatever products they have on hand). I use Artistic Bonding Gel and cured it in an LED lamp for 10 seconds before dry brushing the sticky inhibition layer.
• Apply a coat of Artistic Colour Gloss in “Bride” (white) to the nail, capping the free edge and cure in an LED lamp for 30 seconds.
• Apply a second coat of “Bride” and cure for 30 seconds.

• Using the Be Creative Brights pigments 6-pack and a small, stiff bristled brush, apply a little “Bikini” (pink) in a stripe to the outer edge of the nail, from cuticle to just where the free edge starts (the growing white “tip” of the nail).
• Still using the Be Creative Brights pigments, work across the nail, slowly adding stripes of “Ice Pops” (orange), “Sunshine” (yellow), Cut Grass (green), “Ocean” (blue) and “Flip Flops” (purple), blending the edges of each colour where they meet.
• Using a dry fan brush, gently dust off any excess pigment.
• Apply one coat of Artistic Colour Gloss in “Halo” (this is sheer, gold-tinted clear polish with a holographic glitter sparkle) and cure in the LED lamp for 30 seconds.

• Using Artistic Colour Gloss in “Goddess” (gold), paint a circle at the tip of the nail, making sure it meets where the pigments end. This will become the pot at the bottom of the rainbow. Cure for 30 seconds in the LED lamp.
• Apply a second coat of “Goddess”, if necessary, and cure.
• Using the Be Creative Orange mini striper brush and a little Artistic Colour Gloss in “Empowered” (charcoal grey), outline the top edge of the circle, where it meets the pigments, to form the back of your pot and then draw an inverted mirror image of that line (across the middle of gold polish) to form the innermost edge of your pot.
• Cure for 30 seconds in an LED lamp.

star glitter• Stick your choice of gold diamante, gold stars or gold glitter, foil, etc. into the opening of your pot to create your pot of gold.
• Finish the design with one coat of Artistic Glossing Gel (top coat) and cure for 30 seconds in the LED Lamp.
• Wipe off the sticky inhibition layer with a lint-free wipe and nail cleanser.
• Apply cuticle oil to each cuticle and massage it into the nail and surrounding skin.

Please see my previous post “Maintaining your Manicure” for tips on how to keep your manicure looking good for longer.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Print

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Did you know you can book your appointments up to Did you know you can book your appointments up to three months in advance? 

Don't miss out, book your next appointment today, if you haven't already, and you're welcome to book more appointments in advance.  The online booking system gives you, the client, the flexibility to manage your own appointments. You can reschedule (or cancel) up to 24 hours before your appointment start time.

📍 Mangawhai Heads
📖 By appointment only
🧴 Strict hygiene routine
🎓 Fully qualified nail tech with over 10 years experience 
🌹 Tranquil location 
👩‍💻 Book your next appointment online: https://www.fresha.com/a/rambling-rose-nails-and-make-up-mangawhai-thelma-road-north-i1d1r1d4/booking?menu=true&dppub=true&employeeId=450913&pId=142955

 #nailsbyappointment #mangawhainailtech #ramblingrosenails
Gel polish manicure with nail art ($73 for this se Gel polish manicure with nail art ($73 for this set).

I don't charge any extra for different colours on different nails - some salons do - but nail art is charged at $2 per nail above the plain colour gel polish manicure price of $65.

By appointment only - use the link in the bio, on the website, or provided below to book.

📍 Mangawhai Heads
📖 By appointment only
🧴 Strict hygiene routine
🎓 Fully qualified nail tech with over 10 years experience 
🌹 Tranquil location 
👩‍💻 Book your next appointment online: https://www.fresha.com/a/rambling-rose-nails-and-make-up-mangawhai-thelma-road-north-i1d1r1d4/booking?menu=true&dppub=true&employeeId=450913&pId=142955

 #polkadotnailart #blackorangewhitenails #gonedotty
Not sure what you should be doing at home to prolo Not sure what you should be doing at home to prolong your manicure? 

Have a read through this article on the website with great tips, and instructions on how to remove your gel polish safely at home (if you can't get in to a salon) without damaging your nails:  https://www.ramblingrose.co.nz/maintaining-your-manicure/

 #manicuremaintenance #manicureaftercare #removinggelpolish
Winter nails don't need to be boring! Brighten up Winter nails don't need to be boring!
Brighten up your nails with a little nail art.

📍 Mangawhai Heads
📖 By appointment only
🧴 Strict hygiene routine
🎓 Fully qualified nail tech with over 10 years experience 
🌹 Tranquil location 
👩‍💻 Book your next appointment online: https://www.fresha.com/a/rambling-rose-nails-and-make-up-mangawhai-thelma-road-north-i1d1r1d4/booking?menu=true&dppub=true&employeeId=450913&pId=142955

 #ombrenails #ombremanicure #mangawhainailtech #nailsbyappointment #ramblingrosenails
Plain colour gel polish pedicure = $65, and you ge Plain colour gel polish pedicure = $65, and you get a relaxing foot massage at the end.

📍 Mangawhai Heads
📖 By appointment only
🧴 Strict hygiene routine
🎓 Fully qualified nail tech with over 10 years experience 
🌹 Tranquil location 
👩‍💻 Book your next appointment online:  https://www.fresha.com/a/rambling-rose-nails-and-make-up-mangawhai-thelma-road-north-i1d1r1d4/booking?menu=true&dppub=true&employeeId=450913&pId=142955

 #gelpolishpedicure #gelpolishpedi #footmassage
The colour of your nail polish will look different The colour of your nail polish will look different in natural lighting vs artificial lighting. 

This deep purple shimmer looks purple in sunlight, but almost black under a table lamp.

 #purplenails #deeppurplenails #starnailart
As it should. 📍 Mangawhai Heads 📖 By appoin As it should.

📍 Mangawhai Heads
📖 By appointment only
🧴 Strict hygiene routine
🎓 Fully Qualified with over 10 years experience (nail tech & make-up qualifications) 
🌹 Tranquil location 
👩‍💻 Book your next appointment online:  https://www.fresha.com/a/rambling-rose-nails-and-make-up-mangawhai-thelma-road-north-i1d1r1d4/booking?menu=true&dppub=true&employeeId=450913&pId=142955

 #whatissaidinthesalonstaysinthesalon #salonconfidentiality #ClientConfidentiality #clientconfidentiality
Nail art is charged at $2 per nail, and you can ha Nail art is charged at $2 per nail, and you can have as much art as you like.

This set (a gel polish manicure with nail art = $85) includes the use of pigments, glitter and stamping.

Book online:  https://www.fresha.com/a/rambling-rose-nails-and-make-up-mangawhai-thelma-road-north-i1d1r1d4/booking?menu=true&dppub=true&employeeId=450913&pId=142955

📍 Mangawhai Heads
📖 By appointment only
🧴 Strict hygiene routine
🎓 Fully Qualified with over 10 years experience (nail tech & make-up qualifications) 
🌹 Tranquil location

 #Matariki2025 #GalaxyNails #galaxynails #starnails #starnailart
IBX is a two-part natural nail strengthening syste IBX is a two-part natural nail strengthening system made to toughen, repair and protect the natural nail. IBX is HEMA Free.

IBX is the first treatment of its kind - it works INSIDE the nail plate and not on top. IBX penetrates into the upper layers of the nail and cross-links inside the nail plate to create an Interpenetrating Polymer Network (IPN), similar to the structure of a cargo net.

-  Under Gel Polish IBX will protect, repair and toughen the natural nail.
-  IBX REPAIR is used to repair severe nail damage to set the stage for growth.
-  IBX toughens the upper layers of the nail plate allowing nail growth.
- With multiple treatments fills up deep grooves resulting in a smoother nail plate.
- Natural nail colour and appearance is improved.

If you struggle to grow your natural nails, book in for IBX Treatment along with the manicure of your choice (IBX is an add-on service): https://www.fresha.com/a/rambling-rose-nails-and-make-up-mangawhai-thelma-road-north-i1d1r1d4/booking?menu=true&dppub=true&employeeId=450913&pId=142955

📍 Mangawhai Heads
📖 By appointment only
🧴 Strict hygiene routine
🎓 Fully qualified nail tech with over 10 years experience 
🌹 Tranquil location

 #repairyournails #WeakNails #weaknails #strengthenyournails
Mānawatia a Matariki to all those celebrating ton Mānawatia a Matariki to all those celebrating tonight and this weekend.

 #māorinewyear #Matariki #Matariki2025 #matariki2025

Copyright © 2025 · Rambling Rose