With wedding season right around the corner, what better way to say “I do” to your date than with these DIY tuxedo nails? Even Zooey Deschanel got in on the fun when she put her tips in formal wear for the 2011 Golden Globes.

What You’ll Need:

• White nail polish
• Sally Hansen’s Nail Art Pen in black
• Clear top coat

The How-To:

1. Paint your nails with two coats of white polish and let dry completely.
2. Using the black nail pen, paint the tips of the nails (like a French manicure).
3. To create the bow tie, use the black nail pen to draw two sideways triangles (with the points facing toward one another) just below the cuticle.
4. Apply a small dot between the triangles to finish the bow tie.
5. Place three dots below the bow tie for the buttons.
6. Finish with a clear top coat.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Want more mani how-tos? Check out our weekly Mani Monday column. 

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To achieve on-trend pointy nails – as seen on Lady Gaga and Rihanna – without actually getting the clippers out, check out the DIY illusion manicure below (it also makes for a great April Fools’ trick).

What You’ll Need:

• Two nail colors – one neutral, one bright (I used Sally Hansen’s “Nude Now” and OPI’s “Dutch Tulips”)
• Tape
• Scissors
• Clear top coat

The How-To:

1. Paint your nails with two coats of the neutral color.
2. Apply a clear top coat and let dry completely.
3. Cut semi-thin pieces of tape and place two strips on each nail, forming an open triangle.
4. Using the bright polish, paint the inside of the triangle and let dry completely.
5. Gently peel the tape off the right side, followed by the left. Doing this will help prevent smudging.
6. Finish with another application of the clear top coat.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Want more mani how-tos? Check out our weekly Mani Monday column. 

Not a Member and like The (Style) Guide? You’ll love Rue La La. Join now.

If CÉLINE’s head-to-toe ensemble for the Resort 2013 collection is any indication, the polka dot trend is set to pop up all over this season. To give your nails a piece of the spotted fun, check out the tips below on how to achieve a fashion-forward polka dot manicure:

What You’ll Need:

• Two polish colors (I used essie’s “Lady Like” and Sally Hansen’s “White On”)
• Scrap paper
• Mechanical pencil
• Clear top coat

The How-To:

1. Paint your nails with two coats of the color you would like for the base. Let them dry completely.
2. Put three large drops of your second color on a piece of scrap paper.
3. Dab the tip of the mechanical pencil into the puddle of polish and gently dot each nail until you get a design you like.
4. Let polka dots dry for a few minutes.
5. Apply a clear top coat to finish.

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Have a manicure tip? Share in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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Whether you’re going out to dinner or cuddling at home with your special someone, they’ll fall head over heels (or hands) for this fun DIY Valentine’s Day manicure. Just follow the steps below:

What You’ll Need:

• Three nail colors (Pretty pink colors preferred! Mine were Sally Hansen’s “Bubblegum Pink,” “Fuchsia Power,” and “Red Carpet”)
• Three-ring binder reinforcement stickers
• Clear quick-dry nail polish
• Steady hand

The How-To:

1. Paint two coats on your nails with the nail color you would like for the layered heart closest to your cuticle.
2. Once dry, take the reinforcement stickers and stick two together (making an infinity symbol, or a sideways “8”).
3. Place the stickers over the bottom half of your nail to create the second layered heart.
4. Paint above the reinforcement stickers with your second nail color and let dry completely.
5. Remove the stickers very gently, making sure the design stays in place, and apply a clear quick-dry top coat.
6. Once dry, repeat steps 2 – 5 using the third nail color. (Note: To achieve the third layered heart at the top, place the stickers at the center of your nail.)

By Carolyn Schultz, Staff Writer

Have a manicure tip? Share in the comments below or tweet us at @ruelala.

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