Secret Tips from Japanese Beauty Bloggers! The Ukiyo-e Nail Art Formula Chased by Shibuya Cool Girls

As an enthusiastic nail art lover, I often search for various unique nail art styles on social media. Recently, I’ve discovered that the ukiyo-e nail art hidden in the collections of Japanese beauty bloggers is quietly becoming the new favorite of cool girls in Shibuya. These nail art designs perfectly blend traditional ukiyo-e art with modern trends, being full of personality and eye-catching. Today, I’ll reveal the “formula” behind this nail art trend, allowing you to effortlessly create a fashionable look inspired by the streets of Shibuya.

I. The Art of the Base Color: Setting the Tone for Ukiyo-e Nail Art

In ukiyo-e nail art, the base color is like a canvas, directly influencing the overall atmosphere. Commonly used base colors by Japanese beauty bloggers include deep black, mysterious dark blue, and elegant dark purple. A black base color is highly expressive, making the subsequent patterns more vivid, as if presenting the simplicity and mystery of ukiyo-e to the fullest. A dark blue base color creates a sense of depth similar to the ocean, suitable for themes like waves and the night sky. A dark purple base color carries a retro charm, and when paired with golden lines, it instantly enhances the luxurious feel of the nail art.

When I first gave it a try, I chose black as the base color. I carefully buffed my nails first, cleaned them thoroughly, and then applied two thin layers of black nail polish. I cured each layer under the lamp to ensure the base color is even and firm. This process requires patience; otherwise, the base color may turn out patchy. Once, I was in a hurry and didn’t apply the base color properly, resulting in a less-than-ideal effect, and I had to start over.

II. The Ingenious Use of Ukiyo-e Elements: Painting Techniques Even Beginners Can Master

Ukiyo-e contains many classic elements, such as waves, Mount Fuji, flowers, and birds. Even though these patterns may seem complex, as long as you master the methods, beginners can easily handle them.

Waves are a common element in ukiyo-e. When painting, first outline the shape of the waves with white nail polish. The lines should be dynamic, showing the undulations of the waves. After the white nail polish dries, deepen the shaded areas with dark blue nail polish to add a three-dimensional effect. Finally, use silver nail polish to depict the highlights on the wave crests, simulating the effect of splashing waves. When I was practicing, the waves I painted at first were not vivid enough. After many attempts, I finally mastered the techniques of light and shadow contrast and highlight handling, making the waves come to life.

There are also tips for painting Mount Fuji. Use red nail polish to draw the approximate shape of Mount Fuji, making the top slightly rounded to mimic the snow-capped peak. Then, use white nail polish to depict the snowy part, making Mount Fuji look more sacred. To give Mount Fuji more layers, I gently blend gray nail polish at the bottom of the mountain to create an effect of clouds and mist.

Elements of flowers and birds add a lively charm to ukiyo-e nail art. When drawing a bird, first outline the shape of the bird with black nail polish, and then fill in the colors of the feathers with colored nail polish, such as a brown body, a white abdomen, and a yellow beak. When painting flowers, cherry blossoms and peonies are common choices. Take cherry blossoms as an example. Use pink nail polish to dot the petals, then blend the edges with white nail polish, and finally use yellow nail polish to dot the stamens. A delicate cherry blossom will then appear on your fingertips.

III. The Finishing Touches: Enhancing the Fashion Sense of the Nail Art

After completing the main patterns, some small details can make the nail art more fashionable. Japanese beauty bloggers often use golden or silver lines to outline the edges of the patterns, making the patterns clearer and more prominent. For example, outlining the edges of the waves with golden lines is like a shimmering sea surface.

In addition, adding some small decorations is also a great choice. Pearls, rhinestones, and colorful glitter can all add layers to the nail art. I once pasted a few pearls on the ukiyo-e nail art I painted, simulating the water droplets splashed by the waves. Instantly, the nail art became more vivid and interesting, and I received a lot of attention when walking on the street.

The charm of ukiyo-e nail art lies in its perfect combination of traditional art and modern trends, being full of personality and creativity. By mastering these techniques, you can also have nail art similar to that of Shibuya cool girls and become the fashion focus on the street. Don’t hesitate to give it a try, show your uniqueness, and let your fingertips shine with a different artistic luster!