A method of creating designs on the surface of a finger nail or toenail is disclosed. A first amount of a flowable protective coating is applied over at least a first portion of a surface of a cuticle adjacent the nail. A first nail polish is applied to the surface of the nail. An additional amount of the flowable protective coating is applied over one or more portions of the surface of the nail coated with the first nail polish. A second nail polish is applied over exposed portions of the nail not covered by the additional amount of the flowable protective coating. The first amount of flowable protective coating and the additional amount of the flowable protective coating are removed by peeling the first amount of flowable protective coating and the additional amount of the flowable protective coating from the cuticle and the nail.