While taking a casual walk down the FHS hallways, it’s not uncommon to catch sight of a pair of Ugg Boots or a North Face fleece sweater—after all, autumn is rapidly approaching.

Looking closer, perhaps you’ll see a fashionable scarf hidden beneath a jacket, or maybe it’s the detailed fishtail braid that seems to catch your attention. But have you ever noticed the nails?

Whether it’s zigzags, polka dots, glitter, a French manicure, or a stunning shade of purple, nail art designs here at Franklin High are certainly something to stare at—and Water Marbling is no different.

So what exactly is Water Marbling? Basically, it’s a simple and interesting nail design created by dropping a series of multi-colored nail polishes on the surface of water; by using a toothpick and swirling around the colors, the options are both endless and unique.

“I think it looks really cool and interesting,” exclaims 11th grader Maggie McDonald. “I definitely want to try it soon.”

“It’s fun to do and it turns out really pretty–if you do it right! The more you do it, the better it will turn out, so keep trying,” says Junior Allison Klowan.

“Water Marbling is a cool way to paint your nails. Also, it’s a fun way to have a unique design on each nail,” states 11th grader Stephanie Queenan.

Over the past few months, the Water Marbling technique has become wildly popular throughout the US, and for good reason: not only is it simple and one-of-a-kind, but you can experiment with virtually any nail color of your choice. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1.) Begin by painting a thin layer of white polish on the nail to make the design appear more vibrant and bright

2.) Be sure to use room temperature bottled or filtered water, as it helps the nail polish spread quickly and evenly

3.)    Stick with cheap nail polish colors such as Sinful Colors and N.Y.C.; they spread much easier due to their watery, thin formulas

4.)    Make sure to prepare the skin around your nail with masking tape or Vaseline in order to expedite the clean-up process

5.)    Use a light hand when creating a pattern on the water; believe it or not, the less you mess around with the design, the more detailed and intricate the nail art will appear

6.)    Dip the nail into the water very slowly and carefully so as to prevent the formation of air bubbles on the surface of the nail

7.)    Don’t give up! If, during the first few attempts, the polish fails to spread, try out a different color or nail polish brand; the best part about Water Marbling is that it’s okay to experiment with many different colors

8.)    Have fun! The more polishes you drop into the water, the more bright and beautiful the overall design will look.

Regardless of the color or style, Water Marbling is definitely a great way to add simple artwork to the nail—leave a comment below and let us know what you think!