Nail art is gaining widespread popularity with all manner of designs and concepts worn these days. You don’t need to be a professional nail artist to master some simple techniques and turn your nails into a work of art.
We asked nail artist Kat Ioujakova from Purely Polished to share her top tips for successfully performing nail art and take us through a step-by-step beginner’s guide to creating a diagonal retro strip manicure.
Top tips for nail art
Use quality products. If you are using inferior quality, the designs will be much harder to paint and look messy.
Start with and practise the basics first. If you can paint a straight line the amount of designs available is endless.
It’s ok to make mistakes. When the polish is dry you can easily go over it and fix it. No need to start all over again.
Break down a design by looking at the shapes. Nail art is much easier by painting in shapes to make up the whole design.
Use a good quality, chip-resistant top coat. Your whole design will last much longer and be less likely to smudge.
Diagonal Retro Strip Manicure Tutorial
Step 1 - Filing
In keeping with the latest nail shape trend, file nails into a more feminine and rounded almond shape. Use soft wooden emery boards to protect the free edges of the nail from damage.
Step 2 - Buffing
Use a buffer to remover ridges and smooth the nail plate as nail polish adheres better to a smooth surface.
Step 3 - Pushing back cuticles
Soften and push back cuticles with the cuticle remover and a manicure stick covered in cotton wool. Neat, healthy cuticles are essential for a polished finish.
Step 4 - Base coat
Apply a base coat to the clean nail plate. This important step will protect your manicure and prevent any staining to the nails.
Step 5 - Background first coat
Apply the first coat of mini color Tunis using quick, long brush strokes to leave a thin first layer. This will form the background of the overall design.
Step 6 - Background second coat
Apply the second coat of mini color Tunis to give the nails full opacity.
Step 7 - Diagonal strip
Draw a diagonal strip with mini color Quito and a striping nail art brush. It’s important to make sure the background is completely dry before starting the strip. Take your time with this step and go slow, as this is the hardest part of the design.
Step 8 - Top left corner
Fill in the top left corner of each nail with mini color Maputo. Use caution here, one coat is enough as you don’t want it to be too thick.
Step 9 - Top coat
Finish your manicure with Mavadry quick drying glossy top coat. Apply lightly to avoid smudging the design.
