The Digit-al Dozen Does Patterns on Patterns: Reciprocal Gradient

Hi guys! Today’s Digit-al Dozen post is a (welcome) break from all the pink and red manicures I’ve been sharing all week. Since gradients are technically a pattern, I decided to try the famous “reciprocal gradient” technique coined by Simply Nailogical, and since her signature style includes holographic polishes, I figured I had to use them too!

The reciprocal gradient consists of a base with a gradient in one direction, and some sort of pattern or vinyl cutout with the same gradient in the opposite direction, giving the manicure a unique effect. I started off by painting my nails with a coat of Glam Polish BAM!, and gradienting over that with Glam Polish KA-BOOM!, both from their recent Knockout Collection. Then, I applied a triangle nail vinyl from Vinyl Boutique on each nail (the same ones I used to achieve this manicure!), and applied an opposite gradient over them. I peeled the vinyls off to reveal my reciprocal gradient!

I made a quick video tutorial for this look on YouTube.

Here’s my classic pose with the reciprocal gradient look. It’s really hard to see because of the way my lamps are set up, but you can see the gradient on my pinky nail really well!

And of course, I couldn’t resist showing you guys a close up of my nail. Even though this is my first attempt at this style of nail art, I think it turned out really well! My biggest complaint is that all the holographic polish left a ton of shimmer stuck in my cuticles, haha! Maybe next time I will try this look with creme finishes.

I do think the Glam Polishes worked really well for this style. This is actually my first time making a gradient with holographic polishes (or anything other than a creme, actually!) and I wasn’t even sure it would work! But the base gradient ended up looking so cool, and I just knew this manicure would turn out successful.

Here are the polishes I used. I reviewed them both here. As I mentioned earlier, the triangle vinyls are  available here from Vinyl Boutique.

What do you think of today’s look? Have you ever tried a reciprocal gradient?

An InLinkz Link-up

Some products provided for my honest review.

PRODUCTS USED:
Base: Nailtiques Formula 2 Plus, available here
Polishes: 
Glam Polish KA-BOOM!, Glam Polish BAM!, available here

Top: KBShimmer Clearly on Top, available here; Born Pretty Store Matte Top Coat, available here (use code RFL91 for 10% off your order!)