Whether you like to paint your nails daily, wear silk wraps, or sport natural nails, your fingernails need care to look their best. Having healthy nails isn’t complicated. The following are a few nail care tips that may be new to you:
Choose nail strengtheners that also provide moisture and conditioning – otherwise, the nails could become less flexible and more prone to breakage. Nail hardeners with fibers are especially effective for long nails.
Drinking plenty of water every day is important for healthy nails. If your nails tend to split, it’s probably because you don’t drink enough water.
After washing your hands, moisturize your hands and your nails because they both need it.
Routine use of nail polish causes the nails to become yellowish in color over time. This isn’t a health hazard; but if you like to have natural nails sometimes, it’s good to know what effect the polish is having.
Avoid clipping the nails; instead, use a nail file to shorten them.
To protect the tips of your nails, it helps to apply a top coat every day or two.
If you use a nail polish remover that contains acetone, don’t use it more than once a week because it can dry out the nails.
Don’t ever scrape off nail polish or use any type of metal instruments on the nail surface, not even to push back the cuticles; doing this can remove the protective cells on the surface of your nails.
Never cut your cuticles, which serve the role of protecting your nail roots from bacteria. Gently push cuticles back with either a rubber-tipped cuticle instrument or a rosewood stick. Control excess cuticle growth with a liquid that is designed to remove cuticles or with a cuticle softener.
Nail biting is a habit that can lead to deformed and uneven nail growth, can increase the chances that your nails will become infected, and makes you more susceptible to catching a cold or the flu.
Beautiful nail art is a trend that’s picking up steam, and artistic nails are sure to be a fashion statement that lasts. There’s no limit to the designs you can choose to have on your nails, but you can’t always find a manicurist who can apply exactly the look you want. Some designs are simply too detailed to achieve with a brush, and that’s where stamping comes in.
Fingernail Art Stamping kits are available which make it quick and easy to achieve artistic nails that look like they were done in a salon. For added fun, you can use the stamping for more than just your fingernails and toenails. Personalize your phone, clocks, gift boxes, calculators and anything made of plastic, paper, glass, wood, or metal using the stamping art.
First apply a base coat and then the fingernail polish of your choice to your fingernails and allow them to dry thoroughly.
Place the nail art stamping design plate of your choice in the plate holder.
Apply polish to the design you’re using.
Scrape excess polish off of the design plate.
Press the stamp onto the image you’ve chosen.
Quickly transfer the design from the stamp onto your nail by pressing the stamp onto one side of your nail applying the design with a single rolling motion.
While it’s not usually included with the instructions, a clear top coat is a good idea, to help your design stay on longer.
Ultra feminine and chic, lace is the ultimate girl fabric. It gives that x-factor to ordinary fabrics and wardrobes. This time, we take lace to another level by putting it on our fingers. We’ve seen it on the runway this year so check out some of the best mani-lace out there!
Photo from http://artbyjean-lace.blogspot.com
Photo from http://www.solessence.com
YELLOW AND BLACK NAILS FROM LUCIAN MATIS 2012
Photo from http://imabeautygeek.com
ULTRA BLACK LACE
Photo from http://www.spoiltblog.com
Photo from http://www.spoiltblog.com
SUMMER LACE NAILS – Pair a hot summer polish with ladylike lace and you’re sure to get some compliments.
Photo from http://pinterest.com/pin/80713018292105819/
Photo from http://www.luuux.com
Photo from liquidjelly
Photo from nailartsgallery.info
WHITE LACE NAILS
Photo from http://www.we-are-the-crowd.com
Photo from http://ididjeridoo.blogspot.com
Play up any of your outfits with this chic nail inspiration. Try the mani-lace today and learn it here.
You can always listen to the chatter in the salon while your professionally manicured nails are drying. But what about when you’re at home and need to give your fingernail polish a couple of hours to become dent-free? It’s not easy to do other things while making sure that your nail polish doesn’t come into contact with anything. But the amazing trending nail polishes this spring 2012 are worth the trouble of figuring out how to get it done.
For instance, some things NOT to do while nail polish is drying include: Change into your favorite tight jeans, scrunch your hair, clean out your purse, read a paperback romance novel, and make a sandwich. You’re not going to end up with perfectly smooth and shiny nail polish if you go about your duties as normal.
So what can you do to pass the time while waiting for your nail polish to dry? Here are some ideas:
At some point before the first of any given month, sign up online with Red Box. Once a month you’ll get a code to use for a free rental. Pick up your rental before doing your nails, and enjoy watching it while your trending nail polish thoroughly dries.
Do you like to read but can’t manage to read a book without messing up freshly-painted nails? Thanks to advancing technology, that’s not a problem anymore, as long as you have a computer and an Internet connection. There are free online services which give you the opportunity to select from thousands of books. You can also purchase online volumes. And if you prefer magazines, they are also available with a few clicks on your keyboard.
Plug in an aerobic exercise video that has you up on your feet burning calories. Choose a routine that doesn’t require you to place your hands on the carpet or do anything else that will smudge your nail polish.
Get out into your neighborhood and enjoy a brisk walk. You may find some lovely sights in your area, or you could meet someone while you’re multi-tasking. You never know!
Perhaps the best thing to do while waiting for your nails to dry is to go online shopping for more of the latest trending nail polishes. Just be sure and pull out your credit card(s) before painting your nails so that your only required actions to make a purchase are clicking and tapping.
OPI continues to be in the forefront of nail polish design. In March they released OPI GelColor, and now they’ve shared some nail art that can be easily achieved using this wonderful new product. In case you don’t know about GelColor, it’s been recently launched in 30 colors and offers these benefits:
Incredibly long lasting
Chip-free polish for two weeks
Simple to Use
Non-damaging to your nails
Easy to remove
Great colors, with more on the way
Irresistible shine
Using GelColor, you can create the following designs, and here’s how:
To achieve this design called “Animal,” begin by applying three coats of Cosmo-Not Tonight Honey! GelColor. Allow each coat to cure for 30 seconds before applying the next.
Use Expert Touch Nail Wipe and N.A.S. 99 to remove any residue.
Using a fine point brush, apply Brisbane Bronze dots of GelColor. Allow it to cure for 30 seconds.
Using Black Onyx GelColor, outline each of the dots and cure for 30 seconds.
Apply GelColor Top Coat and cure for 30 seconds.
Again, remove residue.
You can achieve this design at home or ask your favorite manicurist to do it for you. Apply three coats of Suzi Says Feng Shui GelColor, and allow each coat to cure for 30 seconds.
Remove residue.
Create a pattern of large vines with Opi’s Black Onyx GelColor.
Use Russian Navy GelColor to fill in the spaces and allow it to cure for 30 seconds.
Apply GelColor Top Coat and cure.
Remove residue.
This Paisley design is perfect for spring and summer of 2012! Begin by applying three coats of Strawberry Margarita GelColor, allowing the polish to cure for 30 seconds after each coat is applied.
Remove reside.
Use Alpine Snow GelColor to create a paisley pattern on the nail base and cure for 30 seconds.
Apply GelColor Top Coat on the nail tip over the paisley pattern, creating a “French” smile line. Cure for 30 seconds.
Nail Polish design companies are going all out in making the current fashion trends accessible. Nail art, for example, is sometimes tough to achieve if you don’t have a manicurist in your area with an artistic talent. All possible limitations considered, trending nail art has been placed within your reach, no matter where you live.
Magnetic nail polish
You may have tried nail strips in the past and found that you weren’t impressed. It may be time for a second look. Dashing Diva’s DesignFX is a nail strip brand that offers decals which make it possible for you to wear a different amazing design on every finger. Katy Perry is actually a big fan of this brand of nail strips. Celebrity manicurist Pattie Yankee also uses these perfectly trendy decals. They’re available in salons nationwide.
If you like to get a gel mani but either don’t have the time to go to a salon or there isn’t one available that works with gel, you can get a gel at-home manicure kit. These long-lasting manicures are available from a number of companies, including SensatioNail Starter Kit, which runs about $50, and Red Carpet Manicure Starter Pro Kit, which will set you back about $60.
Essie is, as always, leading the way in providing a nail polish line with special effects. Whether you want a polychromatic effect, big flakes of glitter, or micro-fine sparkle, Essie has fun effects that you can add to your nails yourself.
Have you tried getting your nails magnetized? nails, inc. offers magnetic nail polish which creates exciting, unique looks. The way it works is that for a few seconds you simply place the magnetized cap over the freshly applied polish. The polish shifts around and warps in response to the magnet. You can’t get a more mysterious look than this in a manicure. This one will get you some attention.
What’s your favorite spring nail polish shade? If lavender is one of your faves, you’ve got plenty of beautiful shades to choose from. Whether you like inexpensive and sleek, metallic, or long-lasting and free of formaldehyde, there’s a lavender shade that you’ll want to add to your spring nail polish collection. Check out these lavender nail polishes that are available:
Here’s your comparatively economical selection from Pixel. This is Pixel’s spring lavender shade, called “Hello, Beautiful.” You know you’re going to feel beautiful with this nail polish on your fingernails and toenails. You may have to get some new sandals to make sure your feet give the full effect of your pastel purple-tipped little piggies.
Essie always has shades that are ideal for staying in fashion, and their lavender shade for spring and summer 2012 are no exception. “To Buy or Not to Buy” is a perfect pastel. Essie is one of the most popular brands of nail polish, according to some consumer surveys; so you can’t go wrong with this lovely lavender.
Orly offers “Lollipop” in lavender. No one who has a passion for purplish pastels can possibly resist this fashionable nail polish.
If you prefer a bit more purple and glitter-shine in your lavender, Zoya offers Lotus, a light lotus purple metallic.
Just in case none of these shades are just the right color to match your favorite top, there are plenty more brands for you to choose from. Avon has a nice lavender, and above is Milani One Coat glitter polish in several spring shades, including a purple-ish lavender.
Which shade of lavender is your favorite nail polish?
Only two more days until St. Patrick’s Day. Have you decided on a design for your fingernail art? Even if you simply apply green polish, don’t miss out on the fun of celebrating the Irish.
This is Essie’s awesome Mint Candy Apple nail polish. It’s all you need to get in on the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day.
England’s well-known nail artist Marta Lupka has created a one-stroke nail art flower design that’s ideal for St. Patrick’s Day. The do-it-yourself instructions for achieving this luscious look follow:
Use a No. 6 flat brush and green and white acrylic paints to create the effect of a color fade. Create two leaves using a No. 2 flat brush along with yellow and green acrylic paint.
Using a No. 4 flat brush, create a petal between the leaves using blue and white acrylic paint. Then add one more petal in blue and white.
With purple and white acrylic paint, use a No. 4 flat brush to create a third petal.
Add some accents to the flower center with yellow acrylic paint.
Add black outlines, accents, and contours with a No. 0000 Kolinsky brush.
Add white dots with a dotter tool.
Apply a top coat of UV protection and cure.
This is an airbrushed style of St. Patrick’s Day theme nail art. If you happen to have the airbrush tools to create nail designs, these instructions will be helpful to create this great “Luck of the Irish” design.
Start by airbrushing the nails either silver or pearl white.
Airbrush one corner of the nails with a translucent bright green shade of paint.
Place a shamrock stencil in the corner of the nails and airbrush it a bright shade of green.
For an added touch of glam, apply green and silver studs at the top of the nails.
Don’t you love to get the same manicure as the celebrities? Zooey Deschanel, for example, has really been setting fun trends with her nails. Remember her tuxedo nails that she wore at the Golden Globes? She also made an impact at the recent Writer’s Guild Awards, where she wore typewriter nails. Again, so appropriate for the occasion!
For a completely different look from these recent Zooey trend-setters, long nails that can only be described as “ladylike” are trending for springtime. File your nail tips to the mirrored image of your cuticles. But don’t do too much filing because this style demands elegantly long nails.
Sporty pattern nail designs were created for Ruffian’s 2012 spring fashion show by manicurist Yuna Park. These are nails that make an impactful, energizing statement.
Amazing lattice patterns painted on Lucite nails showed up on Joy Cioci’s spring fashion runway show. The secret to this look is to paint a single color as opposed to several bright shades underneath the pattern; these nails can be more work-appropriate this way, as well.
Mellow-yellow hues provide a subtle while at the same time beautifully outrageous nail design. These nails made an impact at Karen Walker’s spring show.
A two-toned manicure created by Jin Soon, a nail pro, creates a slim silhouette. As showcased in Prabal Gurung’s spring show, wear a subtle pink hue and top it with shimmery plum for added depth. As Jin Soon said, “It’s classic and elegant.”
The reverse French manicure also had a strong showing on fashion runways for spring. Not to mention that Jennifer Lopez wore gorgeous reverse French nails at the Academy Awards.
The colors of springtime find a rival this year in the colors of nail polish that are trending. There are so many amazing colors to choose from! Throw out all of your ideas about the kinds of nail polish colors that you have to select from because the shades are more wild, sophisticated, bright, and exciting than ever before.
One – Pistachio Green
Pistachio green is an amazing nail polish color, but it’s not the only shade of green trending this spring. Many shades of green are in style, and the polishes are all irresistible from those with creamy undertones to those with varying levels of opaqueness.
Two – Tangerine Tango
Wear bright orange nails with a famous polish shade called Tangerine Tango. The offbeat shades of orange mixed with metro brights that evoke the groovy 1960s are a huge hit for spring. Bright corals, which are shades of orange mixed with red pigmentation, are also widely popular.
Three – Glittery
The glitter craze has inspired a new crop of variations, including 3D holographics. Have fun this spring wearing the trending nail colors in shimmers of glitter. The sparkles come in new colors, shapes, and sizes. Make room in your nail collection for some exciting new polish.
Four – Neon Bright
Think of updated highlighter shades on your nails to grasp the trend which introduces a new variety of bright polish. The new interpretation of neon colors for nails presents a sophisticated version of past neon shades.
Five – Mannequin Nails
A revised version of mannequin nails is back for spring. These shades add a bit of hue to the nude nails that have been so popular. The latest mannequin colors match your skin tone as opposed to giving your fingers an appearance similar to that of a Barbie doll’s.
