The cold days just drag on and on, don’t they? Spring feels like it is a very long way away, and if you’re anything like me, you’re hankering for anything that could lift your spirits!

One very easy and fun way to perk you up is to get a silly and fabulous manicure… So today, I have a nail art tutorial that is gorgeous, unique, and — best of all — simple to do. I think it looks fantastic!

Total truth time: I’m not good with a brush. My idea of a great homemade manicure is one where I didn’t get nail-polish all over myself, and my clothes, and the table.

That’s why I go to Oh My Nails in the East Village. My nail artist, Momo, also does Beyonce’s claws — squeeeeeeeeee! — and, if you ask me, regularly makes my hands look just as fly as Queen Bey’s.

Okay! Let’s get cracking. The best way to do this look is to pick a pop colour, a neutral, and a foil which coordinates. In our case, we went for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Back To The Fuchsia (pop colour), Chanel Frenzy (neutral), and silver nail tape.

After you’ve filed and shaped your nails, use nail-polish remover to clean your nails, then apply two coats of your neutral colour all over.

Take your pop colour and apply to the top half of your nail. Momo’s tip was to wipe your brush so that all the polish is on the underside of the brush — that way, there will be no unexpected blobs or lumps.

If you’re nervous about getting an even-looking line, you can stick a piece of tape across your nail and use that as a guide. Do two coats of your pop colour, too.

Then, grab your nail tape and cut off a few short sections, about 3cm long. Using a pair of tweezers, first stick down one edge, then gently press it along the line until it reaches the outer corner of your nail. Use a pair of scissors to carefully cut it to fit.

Add a clear top coat, and you’re ready to party! Just don’t be surprised if your friends are jealous!

And best of all? You get a FREE Sally Hansen Salon Manicure nail polish when you buy 3 U by Kotex products at Target. Pretty good, no?

Flexin’ them fingers,

Outfit details: Vintage leopard-print coat (from Salt Lake City), striped turtleneck sweater from Uniqlo, rings from Moxie, my own collection!

This post was made possible with the help of Style Coalition and U by Kotex. Offer available in all Target stores 12/29/13-2/22/14.