Welcome to our new nail art column–the Top Coat! Every week we’ll be doing a step-by-step nail art tutorial. We’ve already told you the essentials you need for a good nail art kit, so gather your tools and try our next project.

Summer is looming (finally!) and it’s high time to book a few seaside jaunts. Thinking back to the stellar spring 2012 subaquatic sea creature-themed collections from Versace and Chanel, we decided to book a brief underwater escape for our nails, too.

Finding yourself inspired to take a quick dip under the sea? Give yourself an elegantly embellished manicure that the Little Mermaid would love. We went crazy with every nail (and yes went with a more *ahem* editorial length), but you can also just do a flare nail or two instead of the whole shebang. Either way, here’s how to get the look, including everything you’ll need: