How to Color Your Nails With Sharpie Markers

Reviewed by Barbie Ritzman

Last Updated: October 4, 2024

Say you decided your plain nails are looking a little boring, or your current nail color isn't working with our outfit. But, oh no, you don't seem to have any nail polish! No worries, you can pull it off with Sharpie markers easily.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Primary Method

Download Article

Remove your other polish if you have any. Then trim, cut or file your nails as needed.

Advertisement
This will protect your natural nails from staining (although the Sharpie will come off) and help you remove the design easier with nail polish remover
If you are right handed, color your left, and vice versa. When you're finished, ask someone to do your other hand for you.
It'll be a lot shinier than if you just leave it, and it will last longer. This is optional.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Alternative Method

Download Article

Your nails should be neatly trimmed and filed.
Try using crayola markers, they do make good fake nail polish! Try to have them be washable, in case you don't want it and want to wash it off. Also, although the fat markers make it messier to paint nails, use them because they won't run out of ink as quickly as thinner ones. Watercolor paints work well too, as they wash off better.
You should wear something that matches. If you are wearing a purple dress or shirt, put on purple! Always make sure that it matches -- otherwise you'll look really odd (and your parents will find out!).
Don't mind about messing up -- the ink can be removed.
Eat a snack, clean up your supplies, or just do something that lasts a minute.
They should be dry, but look for parts of the nail without as much color as others. Take your marker and repaint the lighter areas of the nail. The color across the nail should be consistently strong.
Gently brush around the nail and remove all the marker that is not on the nail.
Enjoy your "fake nail polished" nails!

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Can you paint your nails a color with normal nail polish, and use a Sharpie for a design?

Community Answer

Yes, it works well.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 38
Question

Is it OK to do this without nail polish?

Community Answer

No. Nails can become damaged if you use Sharpies straight on your nails.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 15 Helpful 56
Question

How can I get it off of nails?

Community Answer

Nail polish remover should work.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 33

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Sharpies can be better than nail polish as it can be easier to draw designs!

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Try not to get any sharpie on your skin- it doesn't come off as easily as on your nails.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Coloring your nail with sharpies won't tint your nails yellow, it's only a rumour.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0