A girl's hands should always be well-groomed and beautiful; this characteristic always demonstrates a woman's neatness and desire to take care of herself. An important detail is the nails; a manicure can be either almost invisible, natural, or a real work of art with amazing paintings. Manufacturers offer a lot of materials for creating unique nail designs: glitter, rhinestones, various paints, powders, stamps, etc. A product such as gel paint has gained enormous popularity; it has become simply indispensable in the work of many craftsmen. What is it and what are the advantages of such a product? Let’s try to figure it out.
What is gel paint?
The composition of the paint is similar to gel polish. Available in the form of a transparent substance and in various colors. Rich tones allow you to create vibrant compositions. It is used exclusively for design, in contrast to gel, the purpose of which is to model the nail plate.
The paint, like other gel coatings, undergoes polymerization under an ultraviolet lamp. The dense texture allows you to achieve rich color from the first layer. The layer thickness when painting or creating a drawing is 0.3-2 mm.
Peculiarities
Gel paint is available in a different color palette, ideal for extended and natural nails. If there is no suitable tone, the compositions can be mixed together. Masters like to use this technique to create an exclusive manicure. The applied pattern can be adjusted before drying and during polymerization under a lamp.
The main advantage is the ease of application to the nail. The liquid structure does not spread at all. And one layer is enough to achieve rich color.
A finishing coat should be applied over the patterned layer. This way the manicure will last longer and will resist mechanical stress.
What is it used for?
When telling how to use gel nail paint, you should familiarize yourself with what functions this product performs. It is usually used for:
- Drawing volumetric lines.
- Creating flat patterns.
- Creating the “Velvet Sand” effect. The product draws a pattern and sprinkles colored acrylic powder on it, and then it dries in a lamp.
- Creating a convex design that has a metallic effect.
- Casting on nails using foil.
Gel paint designs on nails turn out original if you follow the procedure for applying the product. With it you can create festive and everyday types of manicure.
Kinds
Manicure paints are available in two types:
- With a sticky layer , the purpose of which is to create a manicure using the casting technique;
- Without a sticky layer, they are used to create paintings, decorations, French manicures and thin, dense coatings.
The casting technique allows you to diversify the usual manicure options. To do this you need foil. The stickiness helps transfer the foil onto the design. It is enough to place a strip of foil with the matte side on the drawn outline and press it. Once removed, lines remain that look like molten metal.
general description
Gel paint is a thick mixture that has high viscosity and dense pigmentation. The product is used to decorate the nail plate. It does not flow or form bubbles. Hardening occurs under a UV lamp within 2 minutes. Therefore, gel paint is considered a convenient material for obtaining complex designs. The master can do the work without haste, doing everything carefully.
This material is used for decorating artificial and natural nails. Gel paint is an excellent replacement for acrylic paints and standard colored gel. It is ideal for aquarium design and everyday painting of the nail plate. With it you will be able to perform both Chinese painting and a clear smile on the nail for a French manicure. Gel polish is available with or without a sticky layer.
How to use it correctly?
To apply a painting or design, you will need special manicure brushes, but you can use artistic ones.
In addition to brushes, other tools are needed:
- palette (can be replaced with a plate, a piece of foil or a plastic board);
- dots (used for drawing circles and flowers);
- UV lamp;
Before decorating, you should prepare your nails. To do this, follow the usual procedures:
- steam baths;
- moisturizing cream;
- treatment of the cuticle area;
- giving the plate a certain shape depending on the type of manicure;
- degreasing the surface;
- applying the base;
- coating the plate with gel polish;
- drying under a UV lamp;
Step-by-step instructions for using gel paint:
- Apply a design to the previously prepared nail plate with a thin brush.
- Correct the contours with an orange stick.
- Dry the nail under a UV lamp for 1-2 minutes (the time should correspond to the recommendations on the package).
- Apply the finishing polish and put your nails under the lamp again.
If the coating leaves a sticky layer, you need to remove it with a cotton pad and an alcohol-containing solution.
Design Variations:
- multi-colored banners with gradient transitions;
- design of the French zone;
- complex toning transitions;
- in casting technology;
- in combination with decor: rhinestones, lace, mesh, colored powder, etc.;
Stage 1. Manicure
Before applying gel polish, you need to get your nails in order. Treat the cuticles and give your nails a beautiful shape. At this stage we will need:
- orange stick;
- pusher;
- cuticle remover;
- scissors, tweezers or nippers for removing cuticles;
- file for natural nails.
Today there are 3 main types of manicure:
- hardware;
- combined;
- classical.
Hardware and combined manicures are done using a special device. Before using it, it is better to undergo training, since if used incorrectly, you can damage the nail plate.
It is better to do a classic manicure at home.
What do we do at this stage?
- Using a file, give the free edge the desired shape.
- Apply cuticle remover to the cuticle and side ridges.
- Place your hand in a bath of warm water for 3-4 minutes. We wipe our fingers and start manicure.
- Use a pusher to push back the cuticle.
- We remove the cuticle with scissors (tweezers, nippers).
- With an orange stick dipped in water, we go along the contour of the nail and clean the pterygium.
The best manufacturers
Kodi Professional (Kodi)
The products of this brand are distinguished by good quality and a wide product line. Among the products produced are gel paints, which are bottled in small black jars (4 ml). The modeling gel, on the basis of which paints are made, is easy to apply without spreading to the sides. After drying, no sticky layer remains on the surface of the nail. The products are in demand among craftsmen, as they allow them to create flat, three-dimensional designs, and casting techniques.
The cost of the jar is 202 rubles.
E.Mi (Amy)
The hypoallergenic composition is available in branded 5 ml tubes. German quality was appreciated not only by craftsmen, but also by ordinary people. The assortment palette includes warm and cold tones. For convenience, ready-made sets are produced, but if necessary, you can purchase a specific item. New this season is paint for creating gold and mirror-silver finishes.
The cost of a tube is 550 rubles.
Miranda (Miranda)
The paint is available in small 7 ml jars. The affordable price does not reduce the quality of the product. The entire color range has rich tones. There are items that include fillers to create shimmer and shine. Economical consumption makes it possible to use the coating for a long time to create new nail designs and master different techniques.
The cost of the jar is 220 rubles.
RuNail (Runail)
Gel paint is produced in small jars of 5 and 8 ml. The consistency allows for convenient application of the liquid composition, which makes it possible for even beginners to use the product. The coating is ideal for creating artistic painting, French manicure, and flat design. The palette includes 15 shades that can be mixed.
The cost of a jar is 240-250 rubles.
Nail design ideas with watercolor gel polishes: photos and videos.
Designs with a flowing effect are universal for any length and shape of nails. However, to make your fingers look as impressive as possible, choose ideas that are most expressive for your hands. For example, for short nails, images where the pattern covers the entire surface are suitable. These are abstractions and marine themes. They will help to advantageously present the shape of the nail and make the design a stylish and beautiful accent of the entire image.
For long nails, it is better to choose single and large images, or many small ones. Ideal - large flowers, stylized marble, stones, reptile skin. Anything is suitable for a medium length - from fine detailing to entire image-paintings. Let's look at typical photo examples of popular nail art for watercolor gel polishes.
Marine images.
Using a dots or a brush, apply the spots randomly. Let them spread out like pebbles on the seabed. Such designs are suitable for decoration - metal applications (seahorses, anchors, ship's steering wheels, shells, stars, turtles). If you want more expressiveness, use gel paints to paint sea creatures.
Reptile stylization.
The simplest option. It is created by alternating points in a strict checkerboard pattern with a minimum distance between points. For design, it is better to choose colors that are most suitable for natural analogues - gray and black, yellow and orange, graphite gray and brown.
Abstract manicure.
Another quick and effective option for watercolor on nails. Dots or curls, chaotic strokes or ray blots. And the best part is that in the case of a chaotic design, you are not limited in color choice. Contrasting combinations are even welcome. Especially for a multi-color look.
Floral designs.
They require some painstaking effort to create. Place 4-5 dots around the circle and use a thin brush to draw the petals towards the center of the circle or vice versa, towards the edges of the nail. This design looks most beautiful with rhinestones imitating a rose or stamen bouillons.
Marble (stone) images.
The design is similar to the design with reptiles (large-cell marble). Or you can create the effect of veined stones by extending watercolor drops in thin lines to the free edge of the nail. In such images you need to use 2 contrasting colors (the main texture and veins), but remembering the “living” analogues.
For beginners who are discovering the world of design with watercolor gel polishes for the first time, they should start their acquaintance with a training video from the Irisk company.
For experienced craftsmen, we can only wish pleasant creativity and enthusiastic compliments to their skillful hands from grateful clients!
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Large color palette.
- The use of a coating does not require large cuts of the plate surface.
- Possibility of mixing several tones to obtain an interesting shade.
- During polymerization, you can adjust and make changes to the design.
- Used for applying designs and completely covering the nail plate.
- The dense texture makes it easy to master the technique of drawing.
- The manicure remains presentable for 14-20 days.
Flaws:
- The layer is removed using mechanical force, which can lead to damage to the nail structure.
- The procedure for using the coating requires the presence of an ultraviolet lamp.
Reviews
Alexandra, 24 years old: I am a beginner manicurist. I tried several gel paint manufacturers for my work, but most of all I liked working with E.Mi. Everything is thought out in the finished set. The tones already differ in color saturation, but I prefer mixing. The results are unusual and interesting shades. When drawing contours, the lines do not spread, and under the lamp the nails dry in 1-2 minutes. I recommend trying it!
Ksenia, 19 years old: I was given a Cody set for my birthday. I couldn’t even imagine that I would create such masterpieces myself, because I didn’t really know how to draw. The miracle is accomplished through the use of casting techniques and high-quality coatings from Cody.
Victoria, 37 years old: I decided to save money on manicure paint and purchased Canni Nail Art Output for the first time. Apparently bright colors, when placed on a plate, do not give a rich color. The contours are difficult to draw. To obtain a dense coating, I had to apply 4 layers. This manicure only lasted 5 days. So far, Cody hasn't tried anything better.
