New feature: Nail Templates

A new feature on this site is...[flourish]. Nail templates! Nail templates are kind of like knitting or crocheting patterns except for nails. Hopefully, this is a simple enough way for nail artists to understand a design more.

There are three types of nail templates, one is the simple edition. Like below, it just consists of two pictures display the left and the right hand.



The second type, is more in dept, it explains what techniques and skills one needs to do in order to achieve a certain design. These will probably be made later for harder/advance nail tutorials.

And lastly, the third type- which is not really related so much to the nails themselves but to the acrylic pieces for nails, such as 3d parts and items.

You can thank me...now.

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Slow but steady wins the race

I was just wondering, what do you use to hold your nail in place? Do you use a hand/finger mannequin or do you take the resourceful route and use silly putty or thumb tack?
Well, when I first began nail art which was about a year ago, I used tape at first- I would tape the back of the nail, test for steadiness or movement and just begin painting the nail. It was a hard process but it worked nonetheless. Now, I'm older- a bit wiser and now I use a hand mannequin, at the time I didn't even now the thing even existed until a few months into it.
But while that story is kind of embarrassing, what did you use at first to steady your nails? Did you use any of those things? And by the way, the those other methods do work, so just in case you do get tired of using a mannequin or just do not have enough of money for one, you can use one of those ideas. Nothing's wrong that~!

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Make shift: Bows & Rhinestones

Can't afford a pair of real Japanese 3d nails? Well, who could blame you! Most nails start at $30 a pair- a real deal beaker for some.

So, one day last week I was looking on tumblr for some photos to include the 'Dramatic Nail' post and I found this:

Here's one creative idea that (Noircissemen @ Tumblr) decided to do, she took basic items, such as bows she found or bought from a local store (such as: Walmart or any discount stores in your area), a few rhinestones and her favorite nail polish- and BAM!

Even though, I'm not certain how you she managed to achieve the look, I tried do it on few nails and came up with this tutorial. (I'll post my results later)

Nail Template

Step 1: Start by painting all your nails, in one color. I painted all of mine in black. (It's such a trendy color~ ♥)

Step 2: Next add a top coat or clear base. You can make it as thick as you want it to be, but remember we're adding rhinestones and ribbons to it later, so you don't want to over do it or they'll become saturated.

Step 3: Let's work on the bow first. I've chosen a red bow, you can choose any bow you would like. When you've chosen a bow, just center it on your pinky nail.

- For an alternative look: You can place the bow on your center finger. It gives it a more girly-er look.

Step 4: Placing rhinestones on your ring finger (4th finger, next to your pinky) begin adding rhinestones onto your nail, make sure you place them on the outside of your nail, like the template above.

Step 5: On your thumb, add any color rhinestones onto the outline of your finger and then again around that outline in another color. (See template for example).

Step 6: And viola! You have simple make-shift nails that look great and didn't cost you an arm and a leg to make~!

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Nails of the moment

I saw this video today and I really like this tutorial! Not only does the creator (3TanJ3) make the design look simple she also goes step by step. While a little fast a times, you do get the basic gist of the video- which is creating cookie monster holding a cookie and other cookies scattered on the other nails.

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Dramatic Nails

dra·mat·ic /drəˈmatik/

1. Exciting or impressive

2. (of a person or their behavior) Intending or intended to create an effect; theatrical

Just a small gallery of nails that I think are really dramatic and over the top but still very pretty in the same token. Take a look!

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Celebs rock the look

Even though Japanese nail art or 3D nails is now a new trend to follow, celebrity such as Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Nicole Scherzinger (to name a few) rock this look also.

Below are just some pictures proving showing this, enjoy!

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The Black Pearl

Blurry picture aside this nail set is really pretty and perfect for formal or non-formal events such as: school or work and the pop of color on the fourth nail definately gives it an informal look which is perfect for those events.

What you will need:


(From left to right: black & white nail polish, rhinestones (of color), white pearls, and jewel picker)

Step 1: Start by painting all four of your nails black (except for one, that will be the the white nail) this saves time, painting all of them rather than repeating the same steps over and over again.

Step 2: Add a top coat to the 4 black nails or 8 if you're doing the full set for both hands.

Step 3: Begin adding the pearls, following the patterns of (1, 2, 1, 2) for each row. (As seen in the picture).
Step 4: Take the two remaining nails and paint them white. When you're finish add a top coat.

Step 5: Starting with the bow. Start outward and then work inwards- meaning: begin by adding four silver rhinestone (or color of your choice) at the end of either side of the nail (like so- add picture)

Step 6: Decresing one rhinestone as you get closer to the center. So, the first row was four, the next will be three and so on until you have just one rhinestone for the center.

An alternative to this is, work on side, (4,3,2,1) rows, then work onto the other side (2,3,4). You're forgetting about the one because that will be your center/knot for the bow.

Step 7: Just begin placing rhinestone onto your nail, but in varying places, like the picture you could do 3 (like a triangle) and two at the bottom like a slighted line.

Step 8: Add a thick top coat and you're done!

* Make sure you use a large rhinestone for the knot.

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