Are you looking for a way to add some oomph to your appearance? Nail art can add a unique elegance to your everyday or it can complete your look for a special occasion. While it's best to leave the ornate nail art to professionals, there are numerous techniques that can be reproduced at home. With a little practice and a good dose of patience, you can give your nails a fabulous design; read the guide and follow the steps.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Prepare the Nails
Step 1. Remove the old nail polish
Make sure you start with a clean work base by removing any traces of polish on your nails.
Step 2. Cut and file your nails
Model them making them regular and uniform. Since you want to decorate them with nail art, try not to shorten them excessively. This way you will have more space to work on.
Step 3. Apply a base to the nails
Normally, it will be transparent or slightly bluish, look for it next to nail polishes in a perfumery or in a normal supermarket. The base will protect your nail from color and damage, preventing stains and irregularities on the surface. Apply a coat of base polish and let it dry completely before proceeding further. Some base products remain tacky even after drying, allowing for better adhesion and durability of subsequent layers. In any case, choose the base you prefer.
Part 2 of 6: Design for Beginners
Step 1. Paint the bezel of the nails with a different color
Choose two complementary colors that match perfectly on a single nail.
- Apply the base or a clear polish. Let it dry.
- Place on the nails some stickers for French manicure leaving the tip uncovered. Alternatively, you can also use eye-catchers purchased from stationery.
- Paint the tips of your nails without worrying about getting the sticker dirty.
- Remove the sticker while the color is still wet. This way you won't risk removing dry color flakes.
- Let it dry and finish with the top coat.
Step 2. Add a small glitter or sticker
Start by applying your favorite nail polish and accent it with a pretty decoration.
- Apply a thin layer of nail glue or clear polish to the nail.
- Pour a small amount of glue, or nail gel, onto the surface of the nail. Place it at the top, near the tip, or in a lower corner. Choose the position you like best.
- Gently apply the sticker or glitter to the glue using tweezers, pressing lightly. Wait for the glue to dry.
- Then apply a layer of top coat on the decoration to protect it.
Step 3. Cover your nails with glitter
Choose from one of these techniques:
- Blend the glitter directly into the nail polish and apply it to the nail. When it is dry, coat it with a layer of top coat.
- Coat one or more nails with clear polish. Dust it with glitter and let it dry before applying the top coat.
Part 3 of 6: Polka dot nail art
Step 1. Create a simple design by making small dots
Choose two different colors, one for the base and one for the dots. If you prefer, you can also create multicolored dots.
- Apply your favorite nail polish and let it dry completely.
- Dip your brush, toothpick, or bobby pin into the nail polish and then create lots of small dots on your nail. Continue by creating the number of dots you want. By using tools of different sizes, you can create dots of different sizes. Decide whether to dip the brush in each application or to create blurring dots by applying color to the tool only at the beginning. If you want, you can also create rays, spirals or other designs by dragging the color out of the dots. To do this, use a very fine-tipped tool.
- When the dots are dry, finish with a layer of clear top coat.
Step 2. Floral nails
You can arrange the dots to create a floral look. In this case, choose three different colors: one for the base, one for the pistil and one for the petals.
- Apply your favorite nail polish and let it dry completely.
- Make circular groups of 5 dots using a very thin brush or toothpick. They will be the petals of your flower.
- When the dots relative to the petals are dry, with the same color, create a small circle in the center of the petals. You can add more details by creating a thin white line in the center of each petal, or draw leaves with green nail polish. Try not to overcrowd your nails by creating too many flowers. Make sure each flower can be distinguished from the others.
- When the flowers are dry, complete your work with a layer of top coat.
Step 3. Leopard nails
For this look choose two different colors: one light and one dark. Try combining orange or fuchsia with black.
- Paint your nails in patches using the lightest color. They do not have to be of uniform size, just look at the fur of a leopard to realize that there are no identical spots between them.
- When they are dry, draw "C" or "U" around the patches using a darker color.
- When the leopard spots are dry, top it off with a layer of clear top coat - or, for an added touch of elegance, go for a glitter clear polish.
Part 4 of 6: Nail art with shades
Step 1. Create a vortex
You will need three different colors: one for the base and two for the swirl. These last two colors will have to match nicely with each other.
- Apply a base coat and let it dry.
- Add a layer of top coat to seal the base.
- Draw a dot in a color of your choice using a toothpick.
- While the dot is still wet, make another one, just above it, using a clean toothpick and a different color.
- With a clean tool drag both colors outward. You can also create a spiral using the toothpick. You can also recreate a marbled effect by randomly scattering dots of the same color on the nail. Then create a second set of dots, above and around the first ones, using a different color. Drag the color into spirals, crosses, Ss or 8s.
Step 2. Gradient nails
By using similar colors, you will get a better shade, try for example purple and blue. For this look, you will need three different colors: a dark color, a medium color and a light color.
- Apply a darker layer of nail polish and let it dry.
- Dip the tip of a sponge in a dark colored nail polish (very little color is enough) and apply it on the tip of the nails, start from the tip and continue to create a gradient.
- Take a clean sponge and repeat the operation using a lighter color than the one used previously. Start at the tip and continue creating a gradient. The final result will be nails with a shiny tip, which gradually fades towards the darker color at the base.
- When you have obtained the desired shade, apply the top coat while the other colors are still damp to blend them better.
Step 3. Watercolor effect
In this case you will need two or more different colors: white and one or two colors of your choice.
- Apply a layer of white nail polish.
- Before the base coat dries, create dots of different colors (one or two colors) with a toothpick or other utensil of your choice.
- Dip a large brush in nail polish remover and tap it into the nail polish drops. Use the soaked brush to spread the color over the white base. If you do a good job, you'll have a fabulous impressionist-inspired design.
- When your watercolor is dry, apply a layer of clear top coat.
Step 4. Bleached nails
To simulate the look of faded jeans, use blue and white nail polish.
- Apply a layer of blue nail polish, let it dry and cover it with the top coat.
- When the layers are dry, apply a single layer of white nail polish.
- Dip a small piece of cotton in the acetone and use it to partially remove the white nail polish. Stop as soon as you see the blue polish through the white, you will get a bleached effect.
- When your artwork has dried, top it off with a final layer of clear top coat.
Part 5 of 6: Marbled Look
Step 1. Get everything you need
Water marbling is a technique that uses water and a variety of colors to achieve a unique effect.
Step 2. Prepare the following materials:
a base enamel and two or three colors to mix, tastefully choose the combination you prefer - blue, yellow and white, for example; a low, wide bowl, almost filled with water at room temperature; Vaseline.
Step 3. Apply a coat of color as a base and let it dry completely
Step 4. Pour a few drops of nail polish into the water from a moderate height
Observe the colorful circular effect created in the water.
Step 5. Pour a different color in the center of the first color
Keep adding drops of color, alternating the two glazes, until you get the shape of a target.
Step 6. Use a toothpick to edit the design
Insert it into the water and drag it into the center of the target to create different color schemes. You can try to make a spider web, a flower or a geometric shape. Do not move too much with the toothpick, otherwise, by mixing the colors too much, you will no longer be able to distinguish them. If you create something with the toothpick, but the final result doesn't satisfy you, eliminate the first attempt and start over.
Step 7. Apply the design to your nails
Apply petroleum jelly to the skin around the nails. Put your finger against the design you created and then dip it lightly. Remove the nail from the water and wipe off the excess liquid. Use a cotton swab (soaked in acetone if necessary) to clean the ends and remove the polish from the nail.
Step 8. Wait for it to dry completely and finally apply the clear top coat
Part 6 of 6: Finding Inspiration
Step 1. Sign up for a course
Just a couple of hours spent with a professional teacher can make your skills better than years of DIY practice.
Step 2. Read some books on nail art
Search for a text in the library, bookshop or on the web.
Step 3. Search the web
The internet contains thousands of resources to inspire you, especially if you are looking for a new idea. You can find images and trends, as well as read and share experiences on dedicated forums.
Step 4. Watch videos on sites like YouTube
They will show you step-by-step procedures for creating different designs.
Advice
- When you start, make sure you have all the materials close at hand. Nail polish will tend to dry too quickly if you find that you have forgotten something.
- You can decide to buy a complete and professional nail kit, it will include everything you need. Alternatively, you can improvise using toothpicks and bobby pins to create dots, stripes and swirls with precision, if you prefer to purchase fine-tipped brushes at a hobby store. On the web you can also find very complicated techniques and tools, do a search.
- Treat your nails with care - wear gloves while doing gardening or other manual work. Be careful when opening a can.
- Use a different tool for each color, or clean it between applications, just like you would a paint brush.
- It is important to start with healthy nails to get a good result. Prepare your hands by cutting, filing, and not biting your nails. Also take care of your cuticles and any cuticles.
- Apply a new coat of top coat every 2 to 3 days to protect your decorations and to keep your nails shiny. Apply cuticle oil daily.
- Look for inspiration in fashion magazines or the world around you.
- Be tidy and don't bite your nails!
- Start by applying a colored base. After that, apply a thick layer of a contrasting color. With a toothpick, create swirls for a marbled effect. Try to be as neat and precise as possible.
Warnings
- Before adding a new color make sure the previous one is completely dry (unless you are trying to mix them), otherwise it will smudge and ruin your work.
- Some people may be allergic to some nail products. If you have had an adverse reaction to a product, wash your hands thoroughly and, if necessary, use acetone to remove it. Don't use it again.
- Do not wash the brushes with water or the enamel will harden. Use nail polish remover.
- Acetone and enamel release vapors and are flammable. Use them in a well-ventilated place to avoid hazards and avoid smoking or causing sparks.
