1. Prep and paint.

File your nails into a shape that mimics your cuticles (the most flattering of nail shapes), push back your cuticles (remember, DO NOT CUT THEM!), and apply a basecoat. Then, paint two coats of opaque white polish.

2. Create horizontal stripes with an orangey-red polish. Swipe one or two lines across each nail, leaving some white polish between the lines. Don't worry about making the lines straight.

3. Paint one or two more horizontal lines using a burgundy polish. Again, leave some white space between the lines.

4. Add a Midas touch to your nails. With a gold polish, create another horizontal stripe at the base of your nail or at the tip, depending on the finished look you want.

5. Using black polish, draw thin,jagged lines around the color stripes. Use a striper brush (or small paint brush) topped with black polish to make the lines. Just make sure there isn't a lot of paint on the brush in order to keep the lines precise.

Finally, apply a quick-dry topcoat.