How to Make a Dotting Tool for Your Nails

Last Updated: January 21, 2022 References

If you want to make fancy nail designs, a dotting tool is a must for any nail art fan. While it's possible to purchase one ready-made for the purpose, it's also extremely simple and cheap (if not free) to make one of your own from items already available in the house.

Steps

1
Use a bobby pin. These can be found at almost any store and come in many differently sized tops. Pull bobby pin open, then dip one end in the nail polish. Apply as required.^{[1]
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- If the small plastic coating falls off, use another bobby pin. It's this part that forms the neat dot shape.
2
Use a straight pin from your sewing kit. Hold carefully to avoid shake and apply as required.^{[2]
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- Grab a small piece of paper and nail polish to test-drive the dotter. Before you apply polish to the nail, you’ll want to make sure you achieve a clean dot. After you dip the straight pinhead into the polish, press it onto the paper first to remove excess polish and to ensure you're going to get the look you want.
- Consider using straight pins that have a variety of heads. Make different sized dots using tiny heads to larger straight pinheads.
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3
Upgrade the simple pin. While you could just use the head of the straight pin to make small dots on your nails, joining the pin to a pencil with an eraser end will provide you with better leverage and balance. Insert straight pin into the pencil eraser head. You may need to put a little bit of muscle into this action in the event that the pin doesn’t easily penetrate the eraser.^{[3]
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- Hold the pin on a flat surface, sharp side upward. Hold the pin at the bottom to so you can join the pencil eraser with the pin.
- Grasp the pencil in your other hand (while holding the pin on the flat surface), eraser side downward, and press the eraser into the sharp side of the pin.
- Drive the eraser into the pin until at least half of the pin has punctured the eraser.
4
Dip the pin end into a bottle of nail polish. Once you're ready to use the dotter, dip the end into your favorite bottle of polish.
- Apply the painted nail polish pin tip to your piece of paper and then to your nail. Repeat this process on the paper until you have painted on enough nail polish and have achieved look you want to achieve.
5
Make a dotting tool out of a paintbrush or makeup brush. Just flip the brush over and use the end of it. Easy!
6
Use a ballpoint pen. It would be a good idea to find one that is out of ink, but it will still work fine if you don't. Simply dip the end into the polish and apply as needed.^{[4]
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7
Use toothpicks. You're thinking that the dot will be small, and that's correct. But if you hold down the toothpick long enough and use enough nail polish, the size of the dot will grow.^{[5]
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8
Use a Band-Aide after base coat is dry. This creates tidy little polka dots.
- Put the Band-Aide on your nail and paint over it with the colour you want the polka dots to be! Once it dries, remove the band-aide.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

Question

What if I don't have makeup brush and paintbrush?

Community Answer

You can also use the head of a sewing pin if you have one; this acts to create same small, round dot you need.
Question

Can I apply clear polish instead of a top coat?

Community Answer

Yes, although the protection might not be as good. You should give it a try and see if it holds up well enough for you.
Question

Where do I get a pin like in the picture?

Community Answer

You can buy one on Amazon. Just search "nail dotting tool." You may also be able to find one at your local Sally's Beauty Supply if you have one.