Photo: Nails Inc.

I am convinced that creating nail art requires the dexterity of a jeweler and the patience of a saint—neither of which I have. My recent attempts at copying the designs I've seen splashed on celebrities fingers have resulted in ten tiny splatter paintings...and not in an artistic, Jackson Pollock way. So when I came across a polish that effortlessly creates a sophisticated ripple effect (seen at left), I was thrilled. Iron powder in the formula gravitates towards a magnet (conveniently built into the bottle's top). You apply two coats of color to your nails, the second thicker than the first. While each nail is still wet, hover the cap above it to create a pattern. No tiny brushes, no messy stencils—just the beauty of science.

Nails Inc. Magnetic Attraction Polish, $16


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