with colour Nails - Nail Art using Coloured Acrylics and Gels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Get crafty
In the 21st Century we are certainly seeing an increase in the demand for nail art from clientele. Fuelled by the sharing of Pinterest posts and pictures of celebs such as Katy Perry, Rihanna and Lady Gaga splashed across magazines sporting inventive nail designs, nail art has developed into a service which is not only desired but expected when visiting a salon.
Pushing the boundaries of nail technicians across the country, it can be both daring and dazzling for the demanding or simplistic and understated for the demure. A true expression of personality, the real beauty of nail art is its versatility. Whether clients desire bold statement embellishments for eye-catching detail or a simple colour fade overlay on the natural nail, both acrylic and gel are ready to offer their services.
A for Acrylic Popular all year around, with special occasions and events boosting demand, coloured acrylic can transform nails from a mundane treatment into a masterpiece.
Potentially the most difficult to use out of the two mediums due to its two-part (liquid
and powder) concoction, once mastered, coloured acrylic offers many benefits which make the medium very appealing. Hard- wearing by nature, acrylic extensions can be sculpted to any length the client desires, providing you with more scope on which to demonstrate your artistry. Plus with no drying time, smudges and chips in your designs are a thing of the past.
“I love using coloured acrylic. It’s the best way to totally customise enhancements whether you are using it to create intricate 3D nail art or as a beautiful twist on a French manicure,” says Samantha Birkett- Leigh, CND™
Education Ambassador for
Sweet Squared. “You can of course buy pre-blended acrylic powders but my favourite way to use it is to mix it myself.”
Gone are the days when you impatiently wait for your favourite brand to release their new collection. With acrylic, and gel, you can create a new shade whenever the mood takes you by blending pigments with your medium of choice. However, you must remember the important 3:1 ratio that is; three scoops of pre-mixed or clear powder or gel to one scoop of pigment or glitter.
From here you can open up the door to a plethora of designs including simple colour washes with glitter additives, coloured French tips with painted art, and embedded designs. However, acrylic is perhaps most often chosen over gel when creating bold 3D nail art.
“The beauty of coloured L&P is that we can mix and match colours together, creating the most amazing blends,” comments Karolina Tryc, Master International Educator of Crystal Nails. “Plus, we can make our designs pop out from the natural nails using 3D flowers, bows and butterflies. The possibilities are endless.”
To achieve this look simply shape the bead of acrylic by pressing down into it with your brush, tapping the edges to confirm the shape. This can be done either on the nail directly or shaped separately and attached at a later date. Both methods will achieve eye-catching, enviable nail art.
Gel options Although 3D styles may be quick to draw attention, they are not necessarily the most practical design for all clients due to
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their size. Here a flatter design may be preferred and this is where gel truly shines. Already available in a vast range of shades which are often more vibrant than their acrylic powder counterpart, gels can create bolder, brighter designs with the swish of a brush.
“Working with gel or gel polish is fun and quite easy. You don’t need to spend hours to get amazing looking nails,” explains Karolina. “The beauty of it is that you don’t need to worry about mistakes until you put your nails [under] a UV lamp.”
Curing the design in stages enables you to remove the last detail you applied without ruining hours of work. This is great for anyone who is learning nail art as there isn’t the level of commitment as there can be with acrylic.
Other art options achievable with gel include encapsulating, marbling and scalloping, applying gems and stickers or glitter ombrés.
As with many of the designs mentioned, glitter ombrés are achievable with both mediums. Audrey Heffernan of Hennessy Hair and Beauty explains how best to use this art: “Start at the tip of the nail and thinly drag back the acrylic/gel into the stress area of the nail. Your ombré effect shouldn’t go past this part of the nail. If it goes too far back it can give the illusion that the nails are shorter than what they are.”
Alternatively, if you are trying to achieve a neater finish with your loose glitter, why not mix it with a thin builder gel which lets you control the additive for a sharper finish.
With either medium, the options for creativity and flare are endless. It is up to you and your clients’ personal preferences as to which one you choose. Both systems offer their own advantages in nail art but one thing is certain – with coloured gels and acrylics, the designs will always be enticing and exciting.
Fancy trying your hand at coloured acrylic and gel nail art? Turn the page to discover the latest products and additives available to help you unlock a new offering…
Image ©
iStock.com/radvanyifx
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