From Novice to Expert: Unveiling All the Essential Skills for Nail Art Advancement

Watching nail artists effortlessly create exquisite nail art, many beginners can’t help but feel envious. In fact, the journey from a nail art novice to an expert is not out of reach. As long as you master the right techniques and methods and keep practicing, everyone can achieve progress in the field of nail art. Next, we will thoroughly unveil all the essential skills for nail art advancement, helping you improve your nail art level step by step.

I. A Workman Must First Sharpen His Tools If He Is to Do His Work Well: Selection and Use of Tools

To create beautiful nail art, high-quality tools are fundamental. There is a wide variety of nail art tools, and different tools are suitable for different operation steps.

Basic grinding tools such as nail clippers, nail files, and sponge files can help us shape the nail into an ideal form. When choosing a nail file as a novice, pay attention to the coarseness of the sandpaper. Generally, a nail file with 100 – 180 grit is suitable for roughly shaping the nails, while a 400 – 600 grit one is used for fine grinding. The cuticle pusher can clean the cuticles around the nails, but be extremely careful when using it to avoid scratching the skin.

The nail art painting brush is a crucial tool for pattern drawing. According to the size and shape of the brush, it can be divided into lining brushes, round brushes, and flat brushes, etc. The lining brush has a fine tip and is suitable for outlining lines and drawing details; the round brush is often used for filling in colors and drawing simple shapes. Before using the nail art painting brush, clean it with a special nail art cleaner. After use, clean it in a timely manner and let it dry to prevent the paint from drying and damaging the bristles.

In addition, tools and materials such as UV lamps, nail gels, stickers, and decorations are also essential. The power and irradiation time of the UV lamp will affect the curing effect of the nail gel. Novices should operate it strictly according to the product instructions; the quality of the nail gel is directly related to the durability and aesthetics of the nail art. Try to choose brands with a good reputation and guaranteed quality.

II. Basic Techniques: Laying a Solid Foundation for Nail Arts

Mastering basic techniques is a necessary step in advancing in nail art. Starting with the simple task of applying nail polish, it may seem easy, but in fact, it requires skill. When applying nail polish, first put a dot in the middle of the base of the nail, then brush towards the tip of the nail, and then apply it to the two sides respectively. Pay attention to applying it evenly to avoid uneven thickness. Generally, apply 2 – 3 layers of nail polish, and wait until each layer is completely dry before applying the next layer.

Gradient nail art is one of the more popular basic styles. To create gradient nail art, you can use a sponge stick. Apply different colors of nail polish on the sponge stick, then gently press it onto the nail. Through multiple overlays and transitions, you can achieve a natural gradient effect. In the transition area, you can gently blend it with a clean nail art painting brush to make the color transition more subtle.

French manicure is classic and elegant. When drawing the white edge of a French manicure, you can use French manicure stickers as an aid. Stick the sticker in the appropriate position on the nail, then apply white nail polish along the edge of the sticker. After the nail polish dries, peel off the sticker, and you will get a neat French edge. If you don’t use stickers, you can also slowly outline it with a lining brush, but this requires a higher level of skill for novices and needs more practice.

III. Pattern Drawing: Adding Personality and Creativity to Nail Art

After learning the basic techniques, trying pattern drawing can take your nail arts to the next level. The simplest pattern drawing can start with lines and geometric shapes. Dip a lining brush into colored nail polish and draw straight lines, curved lines, wavy lines, etc. on the nails, or draw geometric shapes such as triangles, circles, and squares. When drawing, pay attention to the stability of your hand. You can rest your elbow on the table as a support to reduce hand shaking.

Flower patterns are common elements in nail art. When drawing flowers, first draw the approximate outline of the petals, then fill in the color, and finally use dark nail polish to outline the texture and details of the petals. For example, when drawing a rose, first use red nail polish to draw the shape of the petals. After it dries, use dark red nail polish to deepen the color at the edges of the petals, and then use yellow nail polish to embellish the stamen. A lifelike rose will then appear on the nail.

For complex patterns, such as cartoon characters and portraits, you can first practice on paper. Once you have mastered it proficiently, then draw on the nails. You can also use nail art transfer stickers to transfer your favorite patterns onto the nails, and then use a nail art painting brush to touch up the details. This can reduce the difficulty of drawing and at the same time create exquisite patterns.

IV. Color Matching: Endowing Nail Art with a Soul

Color matching is the soul of nail art. Skillful color matching can instantly enhance the quality of nail art. Basic color matching principles include monochromatic color matching, complementary color matching, and analogous color matching. Monochromatic color matching means choosing different shades of the same color for combination. For example, pairing light pink with dark pink gives a harmonious and unified look, exuding a gentle and sweet feeling. Complementary color matching, such as red and green, blue and orange, etc., has a strong color collision and great visual impact, creating a personalized and fashionable effect. Analogous color matching, such as yellow and green, blue and purple, has a natural color transition, presenting a fresh and soft atmosphere.

In addition to considering the colors themselves, you also need to choose suitable nail art colors according to your skin tone. People with fair cool-toned skin are suitable for all colors. Whether it’s the fresh macaron color series or the rich high-saturation color series, they can handle them easily; those with warm yellow-toned skin can choose nude colors and caramel colors that can brighten the skin tone; people with wheat-toned skin are suitable for bright colors and metallic colors, which can highlight their health and vitality; those with dark skin can try dark colors and unique colors to show a low-key and high-end feel.

The journey from a novice to an expert in nail art requires patience, carefulness, and continuous practice. After mastering these essential skills, including the use of tools, basic techniques, pattern drawing, and color matching, try different styles and designs more often and accumulate experience in practice. You will find that your nail art level has been improved unconsciously. I believe that in the near future, you will also become an expert in nail art and be able to create unique and exquisite nail art for yourself and others!