Just like how makeup is used to enhance the beauty of the face and other body parts, nail art is a way to enhance the appearance and beauty of your fingertips and to make them presentable in a creative and fun manner. Nail polish has been a staple beauty product in the cosmetic industry for over the years now. It is an artwork tool that is a part of manicures and pedicures for painting and decorating fingernails and toenails using various tools and techniques. A staple at fashion weeks, nail art in all forms has infiltrated the red carpets as well as your social media algorithm.
How did Nail Art start?
The history of nail polishes can be dated back to the 18th Century when the women of ancient Egypt would use crushed henna or roses to give a tint to their nails as a social status. The ancient cosmetic also holds a history of men, not women, using dark kohl to dye their nails in 3200 BC. In around 3000 BC, ancient China took the big leap of inventing the first nail polish using gelatin, beeswax, and vegetable dye. Longer nails and modern-day nail extensions were also associated with the Chinese who used ‘nail guards’ as a symbol of their high status. The currently used manicure service was invented in the 19th Century by a doctor who used the ‘cuticle pushing’ method on King Louis Philippe of France to fix his hangnail. In 1976, the popular ‘French Manicure’ was styled in Paris.
How is it Going?
The fashion of painting nails came into fashion in the 1980s and in the decades since, many varieties of nail arts – glamorous, pastels, as well as over-the-top designs – have been continuing to make a mark in the cosmetic industry. Today, runways and fashion shows have celebrities styling their nails in a variety of ways and making a statement which results in booming trends in the beauty industry. As famous were the classic French manicure nails or the baby boomer nails in the 90s, the current market is ruled by new designs such as glazed doughnut nails, aurora nails, chrome nails, etc. along with certain edgier designs that include bright colors or rhinestones or even 3D arts. There is a global expansion of nail studios and salons considering the demand for nail arts in youth as well as celebrities and social media influencers.
Types of Nail Extension
There are various forms of nail extension of which, there are two main mediums – gel and acrylic. The different types include:
1) The Good Old Nail Polish
This is the traditional nail polish available in the market to be used at home. This is the most common and easiest type which you can DIY and is comparatively cheaper. However, the durability and longevity are quite low and it can chip off easily in a few days. Also, if it is kept for a longer time, it may result in damaging your nails.
2) Acrylic Nails
As the name suggests, acrylic nail extensions are created using a chemical mix of acrylic powder with liquid monomer. Acrylic powder comes in different colors and is used by dipping a brush in the liquid monomer and then mixing it with the powder to form a dough-like substance which dries a few seconds after both are combined. Acrylic nails provide more durability and longevity but are quite expensive and slightly difficult to apply and remove.
3) Gel Nails
Gel nail extensions are created using a hard gel that is in a liquid consistency and has to be cured under UV light. These are pretty similar to acrylic nails in terms of cost, durability, as well as application.
Both acrylic and gel extensions have been ruling the nail art industry for several years now. Nail technicians use the products to give different shapes, lengths, and strength to your nails. You no longer have to worry about growing your nails long or protecting them from breaking or cracking. Having these products, the nail technician can give you longer and prettier extensions compared to your natural nails or can fix the splits or cracks in your nails making them stronger and more put together.
How to do Nail Art?
A nail technician follows a routine to do your nail art in a professional way from prepping your nails to the final designs and sealing them off with a top coat. There are tons of nail art designs in the market and the trends keep changing with time. However, certain arts are classy and many variations can be done with these designs.
The first step is to clean and prepare your nails by removing any old polish or any natural oil from the nail surface. Then push the cuticles using an orange stick or a cuticle pusher. This is followed by cutting and filing your nails in the desired length and shape. It is advisable to keep the length a little longer to have some nail bed for doing the nail art. However, the length and shape should be manageable and neat. Then go ahead with buffing your nails to create a rough surface for the product to stick to. The next step is to apply a base coat which is a clear polish. It is used for the product to stick to your nail better and it also protects your nail from the harmful effects of the nail polish. This is then followed by applying two coats of your favorite nail color. This is done to make sure the product is opaque and to increase its durability as well. Make sure you apply a thin and smooth layer of each product and allow them to dry in between coats. Once you (or the nail technician) are happy with the application, you may go ahead with the arts.
Types of Nail Art
Nail art can be of various kinds and you can use your creativity along with the fashion trends to reproduce your version of the art. However, if you know certain basic ideas, you may get started in your nail art journey and can go ahead creating beautiful designs using some of these concepts:
1) French Manicure
This is a design that never goes out of trend and has many variations created over the years. It is a nude base with a solid-colored tip, usually white. This art is generally kept the same amongst all the fingernails; is considered to be classy and can be carried with any outfit or occasion. You can never go wrong with adding your creativity to the Frenchies.
2) Polka Dots
Another subtle yet quirky design can be created with polka dot nails. You can go crazy with the colors and tools you use to create this nail art. You can have pastel nails adorned with bright-colored dots to create a beautiful contrast. For designing the polka dot nail art, you can DIY it with any dotting tool such as a toothpick or a pin for forming different sizes of the dots. You can also create tons of designs by placing the dots in a certain way. You can go the same across all the fingernails or can choose to decorate your ring finger and/or index with the designs,
3) Gradient / Ombre
When you want to blend two or three colors and create a blended effect, you can always go for the gradient nails. This nail art works best with bold color combinations like red and black or even with the same color family like pink and purple. The idea is to use your creativity to form a design that looks subtle yet poppy and it can also be mixed and matched with other nail arts to make them look more professionally done.
4) Glitter / Embellishments
If you are the bold one who loves to go all bold with her nails, you may look for accessories for your nails such as glitters, chrome powders, nail stickers, rhinestones, and other embellishments. These tiny beings are specially designed for your nails to take them to the next level of beautification. Also, many brides out there may look for pretty rhinestones and pearls or even other unique embellishments for your nails to look amazing on your big day.
The final step after all the art is completed is to seal everything in with a top coat and let it dry properly (air dry or under a curing lamp) for the design to stay fresh for a long.
Equipment and Tools Used for Nail Art
When you decide to get nail art done, especially when you want to DIY it, there are certain equipment you’ll need to get started, some of which are:
1) Nail Polish / Gel Polish
This includes a base coat, a color paint, and a top coat. It is important to invest in a good quality product.
2) Nail Extension Supplies
This includes acrylic powders, liquid monomers, builder gels, poly gels, etc. It will depend on the type of nail extensions that you plan to do as well as your budget.
3) Nail Art Brushes
It is very important to have good quality and specific brushes in your set. This includes extension brushes, fan brushes, flat brushes, and detailing brushes.
4) Curing Lamp
Make sure you invest in a good quality UV or LED lamp for curing your gels and your polishes.
5) Nail Art Supplies
This includes glitters, dotting tools, nail decals, rhinestones, chrome powders, sponges, etc. The list is never-ending.
FAQs About Nail Art
1) Where can I get nail art done?
Though one can learn and do some basic nail arts and extensions on their own, it is always advisable to get it done by a professional nail technician for the best results and the least harm. You may look up on Instagram or Google to find a good nail studio around you. Also, many salons offer nail art services too.
2) How long does it take to get nail art done?
The average time to get a nail art done from a professional is around 1.5 hours to 2 hours depending on the design you choose. Certain arts may even go up to 3+ hours based on the intricacy of the art or the speed of the technician, or even when you DIY it. It is always advisable to book a slot in advance with a nail salon to avoid last-minute hassles.
3) What is the cost of nail art?
Depending on the nail salon and the nail art that you choose, the average cost of nail art is about $50. It is better to discuss the design and the cost with the nail tech beforehand if you are on a budget. Also, if you DIY your nail art, you may save some bucks but make sure you invest in good products and learn the approaches first.
4) How long does nail art last?
Depending on your service, your nail art may last from one week to five. For instance, a traditional nail polish may start chipping off within a week whereas the acrylic extensions may last for even more than five weeks. It also depends on the speed at which your nails grow and sometimes the weather. The durability is also subject to the wear and tear caused to your fingernails. Make sure you choose a professional nail tech to make your nail art last longer without causing harm to your nails.
