Currently, stained glass manicure is very common in use. Nails with this treatment always look very fashionable, stylish and unusual. Ideal for those representatives of the fair sex who are tired of the classic manicure, for those who like to experiment and constantly try something new.
Thanks to stained glass gel polishes, you can create a variety of compositions, and thus the manicure becomes a real work of art.
What are the features of this glue
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Stained glass gel varnishes got their name due to the fact that they have some resemblance to the glass from which craftsmen make stained glass windows.
In other words, gel polishes with a stained glass effect are a type of colored varnish, but, unlike them, they have a translucent structure.
Currently, many masters do manicures with stained glass gel polish using various decorative materials. The result is a very modern design with a pronounced and interesting effect.
Another important characteristic feature of this stained glass nail design is that it helps to even out the surface of the nail. That is, there is no need to further level it and sand it after painting.
How to make stained glass varnish yourself, at home
Despite the wide range of stained glass varnishes in stores, there are times when the special stained glass coating has run out and there is no way to quickly purchase it. In this case, there are several life hacks that will help you create the desired design without using a special stained glass gel.
In this case, you can use regular topcoat and stained glass paints, which are sold in any art store; they also come in different colors. To do this you need:
- place a small amount of topcoat and stained glass paints on the palette,
- Use a brush to mix them together until a uniform color is formed.
- Stained glass varnish is ready for application.
But it may happen that stained glass paints are not at hand. Then regular colored nail polish can come to the rescue, which, as in the previous case, is mixed on the palette with the top coat. The result is a transparent color coating. The composition is ready to create a decorative pattern.
Application of gel polishes with stained glass effect
Glass is perhaps one of the most ideal material options for realizing absolutely any fantasy. With the help of special paints, a little drawing skills, as well as artistic taste, you can easily master the technique of glass painting and create classic stained glass windows.
This type of creativity is sometimes also called stained glass. It is worth noting that such stained glass is used even in industrial settings.
Thanks to such drawings you can also transform many things. For example, even ordinary dishes can be turned into a real work of art thanks to glass painting.
Also, thanks to such means, you can change and transform various figurines, vases and many other interior items. With such drawings they have a certain stylized appearance.
Thus, we can conclude that stained glass technology helps any old products regain their former attractiveness and eliminate existing defects.
You can also try painting on materials such as:
- Veneer.
- Tree.
- Tile.
- Oilcloths, films.
- Mirrors.
What designs is this gel polish suitable for?
With stained glass gel polish you can create such design options as:
- Broken glass.
- Liquid stones.
- Cat's eye.
- Gradients over decor.
- Aquarium.
In fact, these are the main types of stained glass manicure, that is, variations can be different and they are limited only by the imagination of the master himself.
What is stained glass varnish
Stained glass manicure looks quite elegant and presentable on both short and long nails. But how is such a translucent effect created on the nail plate? Let's take a closer look at this issue.
Brands and manufacturers
Stained glass varnish is a colored gel varnish that resembles stained glass colored glass in its properties. For a good effect, the product should be applied in several layers. Nowadays, stained glass varnishes can not always be found in cosmetic stores, but many nail art masters still use them in their work. You can find them in special stores for nail extensions.
The advantage of such gel polishes lies in the composition of the high quality product itself. Manufacturers offer a wide palette to suit every taste for all girls. There are several companies that still produce it:
- Kodi;
- TNL;
- Vogue;
- Diamant;
- LiaNail;
- LookNail;
- LuNail;
- Nail Passion;
- Nayada;
- Uskusi;
- Formula Pro.
Stained glass bases are used not only for glass substrates. They can be used to create a background layer for deep color on your nails. This manicure with stained glass gel polish lasts about 2-3 weeks.
Stained glass gel
This unusual gel creates a glass effect and is most often used for nail extensions. The gel makes translucent “crystal” layers of any shade. It is easy to use, model the base and shape. The product is self-adjusting; it does not need to be filed or treated with anything else. The gel contains small LED components that give the nails a special shine. It must be applied in 2-3 layers.
A special gel can be purchased at cosmetic stores, or you can mix extension gel and finely ground colored pigment.
Stained glass paints
In order to get a colored gel, you need to mix the paints with a stained glass translucent gel. It is better to take acrylic paints and not water-based ones. If you correctly calculate the volumes of all ingredients, the final result will be a translucent base, but it will not have a beautiful gloss and even highlights. Remember: the more colors you add, the richer the effect will be.
Water-based paints, when mixed with a base or top coat, become cloudy or turn into flakes.
How can you create such paints yourself from ordinary PVA?
You can create stained glass materials yourself at home. At the same time, the cost of preparing them will be insignificant.
For example, preparing paint from PVA glue is perhaps the simplest and most original way. This composition produces an almost ideal texture that can be applied to absolutely any surface. The texture itself turns out to be very thick and does not spread during application to the surface; it lays down in a perfectly even layer.
To prepare such a composition, you may need a pigment of the selected color and regular PVA glue.
The following are ideal pigments:
- Watercolor.
- Construction colors.
- Any paints for fabrics.
- Gouache.
- Paints for Easter eggs.
- Refills for gel pens.
- Any food coloring.
Options in different shades
There are many design options for stained glass manicure in different shades. When creating an original design, even the most unusual color combinations are welcome.
The most popular design options are:
- Abstract painting. Floral motifs are used as the basis, depicted using multi-colored blurry lines.
- Contouring of a design, when, like a mosaic, all design elements are highlighted in bright colors.
- Foil print on a transparent nail plate.
- Aquamarine with the most detailed depiction of elements of a marine theme.
- Animal print, voluminous flowers, exotic fruits.
- Decoration with liquid stones.
Depending on the color of the chosen coating, you can improve the classic design if you apply gel polish with a stained glass effect on kamifubiki (round sparkles of different sizes) or diamonds.
Stained glass gel polish: design with diamonds
Stained glass manicure with natural motifs is in demand at all times of the year. To create drawings, a gel paste is used, the consistency of which can be changed. A clear black outline is required. Nails are covered with patterns, to create which you can use different pigments.
The following shade combinations are perfect for spring:
- light green + yellow;
- blue + white;
- pink + white + red.
This manicure is perfect for light, sophisticated girls.
Stained glass manicure can be complemented with an illumination effect if you use colored foil correctly. In this case, you can create the illusion of glass fragments with a bright shine. No special tools are required to work with holographic foil, since fixing such material requires a good sticky layer and a thick finishing coat. When creating a manicure, minimalism or complete filling of the nail plate is allowed.
In this case, it is best to combine:
- purple and black;
- blue and black;
- beige and dark blue;
- golden and blue.
This manicure is suitable for women of all ages.
A light summer design can be created using a stained glass French manicure with a translucent nail plate. Nails will resemble thin crystal if you use a translucent polymer. If you have the necessary experience, you can resort to a marine theme by depicting small fish, starfish, a small boat and blurry waves on the edge of the nail. Plant-themed designs look no less impressive when the edge of the nail is decorated with bright flowers of different sizes.
Recommended color combinations:
- blue + white;
- pink + white;
- light green + yellow + olive;
- beige + pink + blue.
This manicure is perfect for themed parties and romantic walks.
Stained glass manicure also looks great in pastel shades.
You can use not only beige, but also:
- light pink;
- blue;
- turquoise;
- white.
This spring color palette is perfect for short nails, when a girl values neatness and restraint.
When working with decorative elements, you need to take into account all the nuances in order to create a real masterpiece using translucent gel polish. You can choose a classic mosaic or resort to contouring and brightly filling all the elements of the pattern. A French manicure with contouring of the free edge looks fresh and original, but only if you don’t rush to apply white gel polish, since bright shades in combination with decorative elements can achieve a stunning effect. Sparkling glitter, which is coated with gel polish with a stained glass effect, looks elegant.
Manicure design with sparkling glitter and stained glass gel polish
Preference should be given to green, red or blue shades to enhance the sparkle of decorative elements.
You can simulate liquid stones on the surface of the nail. Artistic painting helps give the crystal an exquisite setting. In this case, you can imitate antique brooches, pendants, or create a simple combination of beads and bouillons. You can even use “metallic” gel polishes as a base to make your nails shine with a unique shine.
It is worth using bright shades. For example, red, purple, gold, orange, yellow.
How to apply on nails correctly
In order for the manicure to be more durable and aesthetically attractive, it is necessary to apply stained glass gel polishes correctly.
The stages of correctly creating stained glass on nails are as follows:
- Preparation for application. To begin with, it is recommended to remove the cuticle, then you should level the nail plate, polish it and give the nails the desired shape.
- At this stage of creating a stained glass manicure, you need to cover the nail with a base, only after that you should apply colored gel polish.
- This stage is a real field for the manifestation of imagination. To do this, you may need various decorative elements, for example: stickers, kamifubuki, food foil, glitter and much more. Thanks to them, you will be able to create a complete picture of your nail design.
- At the fourth stage, you can apply stained glass gel polish directly to the decor.
- This is the finishing touch. That is, you should apply a top coat to the nail, thanks to it you will be able to create additional shine to your nails. In addition, thanks to the top, the designs on the nails become deeper and more expressive.
Execution steps
More than once, a stained glass manicure was superior to a regular finish. Like any gel, crystal manicure is obtained on a prepared surface. The work begins with the technical part: cutting the cuticle and adjusting the length, after which decorative varnish can be applied.
There are several ways to work with the product. This is due to the fact that the paint can be diluted, and the glass gel can be created independently; the main thing is to know the ratio of base and pigment.
The correct application technique is facilitated by knowledge of the process of drying the plate in a lamp and modern tools. The transparent base is applied to the bed in a similar way, after which it is dried over time, depending on the UV lamp.
What are the types of stained glass design
Currently, there are several main varieties of this manicure. These include the following:
- Mosaic.
- Contour.
- Combined.
- With elements of painting.
The simplest manicure option is contour. At least it's easiest for beginners to start with. To perform it, first of all, you should draw the grids using colored gel.
Moreover, these elements can be of any geometric shape: square, rhombus or triangle. It is best to try to avoid smooth curves, since figures with sharp corners always look more advantageous.
The most difficult design is the painted one, as it requires a certain skill.
