Nails that have been painted can be made even more beautiful by adding decorations. This nail art allows you to add a unique element to your everyday style and make your nails more personal. You can even decorate it to celebrate holidays or other special days. There are various kinds of materials that can be used to make the nail decorating process easy and fun.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Doing the Basics
Step 1. Choose a convenient location to decorate the nails
Use a flat, sturdy surface with plenty of space to place all materials, in a well-lit, well-ventilated room. If possible, don't use a carpeted room, as nail polish can be harder to clean than if you were doing it on hardwood or tiled floors.
Step 2. Clean the nails
Start the process by washing your hands. Next, use a cotton swab that has been moistened with a nail polish remover product to remove the old nail polish. Place and press the cotton pad against the nail for about 10 seconds, then rub the nail in a sideways motion. Use a cotton swab and nail polish remover to clean the edges of the nail.
It's a good idea to keep using nail polish remover even if your nails aren't painted at all. This will remove any natural oils that could be preventing the nail polish from sticking to your nails
Step 3. Cut and file the nails
Your nails should be uniform so they should all be the same length. Start by trimming it, then smooth out any rough edges with a nail file. You can also use a file to shape the tips of the nails into rounds or squares as desired.
Make sure you file it in one direction, from the outside towards the center of the nail, not back and forth. This is to prevent the nails from breaking
Step 4. Push the cuticles
The cuticle is the small strip of skin that sits at the base of the nail. If this skin is pushed in, the nails will look cleaner and wider so they can be colored and decorated easily. Use a cuticle stick to gently press the skin line into the base of the nail.
Before pushing the cuticles, you can soak your fingers in hot water for a few minutes. The water will soften the skin and make the process easier
Step 5. Roll a nail polish bottle in the middle of your palms for about 25 to 30 seconds
This will warm and mix the polish without creating bubbles (unlike when you shake it). Without bubbles, the result of nail coloring becomes smoother.
Step 6. Paint the nails
Start by applying a primer, and let it dry for about 5-10 minutes. After that, apply 2 coats of nail polish of your choice. Wait for each coat to dry before you apply the next coat. Finish with a nail art you like.
Step 7. Apply a clear protective layer (top coat)
After the nail polish dries, apply a protective clear coat. This helps prevent the nail polish from cracking or peeling, and adds shine to your nails. Also apply this coat under your nails for added protection.
Method 2 of 3: Using Household Materials
Step 1. Make dots on the nails using toothpicks or hair clips
This basic method will give you several decorating options, such as:
- Simple polka dots. Use the tip of a hair clip to make dots evenly on one or more nails. You can use different colors for different dots, and make sure you use a different hair clip for each color.
- Flower. Drop 5 small dots of the same color in the center of the nail, to make a circle with 1 dot in the middle. While the nail polish is still wet, use a toothpick or small brush to pull the outer dot to the side of the nail. These will serve as flower petals.
- Animal footprints. Use hair clips to make one or two large dots on the nails (depending on whether you want 1 or 2 footprints). Next, use a toothpick to make 3 smaller dots on top of the larger ones.
Step 2. Paint the nails using masking tape
Once the basecoat dries, apply tape to your nails so you can easily add a second color to your nails.
- The easiest gluing pattern to do is diagonally. Apply the tape in such a way that the nail is divided into two triangles, then apply two coats of the second color on the part of the nail that is not exposed to the tape. Wait for the first coat to dry before applying a protective clear coat.
- You can also give it a unique effect by cutting the tape using special scissors that create zigzag lines around the edges of the tape. Stick the tape at the base of the nail, or diagonally.
Step 3. Squeeze the plastic wrap for a rock effect
Apply 2 or 3 coats of a light base paint, such as turquoise or pale blue. Once this layer is dry, apply gold-colored paint to the crumpled plastic wrap, then immediately apply the plastic wrap to the nails.
Step 4. Draw a design using a permanent marker
Permanent markers (eg Sharpie brand), are sold in a variety of colors, including gold and silver. Markers are easier to direct than a nail polish brush, so you can create a variety of dots, zigzags, lines, and even hearts on top of the base coat. You can also experiment with different sizes of marker tips.
If there's an error in your marker, you can easily remove it with rubbing alcohol, and it won't remove the base coat. When you have finished your desired design, apply a clear coat to protect it
Step 5. Stick the perforated paper sticker on the base of the nail
By doing so, you can leave the base of the nail unpainted. The round shape of the sticker affixed to the base of the nail will produce an inverted french manicure model or a half moon effect.
Place the sticker on the base of the unpainted nail. Next, apply 2 coats of nail polish of the desired color, then peel off the sticker after the second coat of polish has been in place for a few minutes. Use a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to remove unwanted parts
Step 6. Use loofah pieces (body scrubbing in the shower) to get a fishnet look
After the base coat dries, cut the loofah in a square shape, then attach it to the nails. Put a small piece of tape on the edge of the loofah so it doesn't shift its position. Take a makeup sponge that you don't use anymore and use it to apply a second coat of polish to your nails and loofah, creating a beautiful stencil look.
Method 3 of 3: Adding Decorations
Step 1. Add gems or rhinestones
This fun embellishment can add some shine to your nails. Use a toothpick or hair clips to apply a small amount of nail glue to the dry base coat. Next, use tweezers to attach the gem to the glue, and continue to hold the gem there for a few minutes until the glue dries. Finish the process by applying a protective clear coat.
Step 2. Add glitter (a type of bead) to the nails
Adding glitter is an easy and great way to make your nails colorful and shiny. However, the process can get dirty, so you should be prepared to do some cleaning. Glitter can be applied to nails in one of two ways:
- Mix the glitter with clear nail polish or a protective clear coat and apply the mixture to your nails. Add a protective clear layer on top when the glitter has dried.
- Sprinkle some glitter on the still-wet base coat, and let it dry. Finish the process by applying a protective clear coat.
Step 3. Use stickers as an alternative to nail polish
Nail stickers are available in a wide variety of patterns, colors, and effects. Stickers provide a different option for people who don't have time to paint their nails.
- You can use stickers to clean unpainted nails by sticking them near the cuticles and smoothing them toward the tips of the nails.
- File the sticker so that it blends in better with the nails. Use a regular nail file carefully and slowly to remove excess sticker. After that, apply the sticker using your thumb in a gentle up and down motion along the nail. You don't need to apply a protective layer to the sticker.
