Manicure step by step with photo gel polish, needle, shellac. Video lessons

Shellac manicure became an innovative discovery in the nail industry thanks to the CND company, which in 2010 released a new product for the market called Shellac.

Calling shellac varnish is not entirely correct . This product is a cross between polish and gel, produced in a unique way. Today shellac has become the most popular for creating manicures and pedicures.

It is considered hypoallergenic and safe even for pregnant women. The fact is that shellac does not contain formaldehyde and other substances harmful to the human body. Today there are many analogues of Shellac, produced by various companies in different countries of the world.

Where to start - materials and tools

Before covering your nails with varnish, you need to do a high-quality and neat manicure:

Remove any remaining varnish.
Pull back or trim cuticles.
Give the nail plate the required shape by filing carefully.
Sand your nails.

Nail designs for beginners can be done using simple available tools.

For this you may need:

Cotton swabs (to carefully remove any polish that protrudes beyond the nail).
Nail polish remover.
Sponge
Bamboo (wooden sticks).
A needle (it is better to choose a safety pin - a needle with a ball at the end).
Skewers or toothpicks.
Varnishes of different colors with a standard and thin brush.
Foil for manicure.
Rhinestones or small beads.
Sponge or piece of foam rubber.
Scotch.
Stickers for nails.
Special glue.

Tip: You can buy or make your own manicure box or box with compartments of different sizes. This way, all the necessary tools will be in one place and nothing will get lost.

The above list is basic. Later it will be possible to purchase special brushes and dots. Dots are a manicure tool, shaped like a pen, with a tip in the form of a ball of various diameters.

How to make drawings with shellac?

A manicure using shellac is quite easy to do , so many women do it themselves at home. To do this you will need to perform a few simple steps:

The first thing to do is to give your nails the desired shape using a nail file and treat the cuticles with softening oil.
Nails need to be sanded. A medium abrasive buffer is suitable for this. The nails are polished to ensure that the coating adheres better to the nail.
Nails should be degreased with a special product. Regular acetone may work.
Now let's apply the base. On top there are two layers of colored shellac. Cover the nail with a transparent glossy coating.
A sticky layer forms on the surface of the nail. It must be removed using a degreaser.

Each layer of shellac must be thoroughly dried under an ultraviolet lamp. Dry for about 2 minutes .
This manicure will decorate women’s hands for two to three weeks. The deadline largely depends on the quality of work and the correct execution of each stage.

A monochromatic manicure may seem boring, in which case it can be easily diluted with various patterns. To create a design, special brushes or dots are used. In order to make your manicure unique, you can use additional materials such as rhinestones, stickers, sparkles, stripes.

After applying the base to the nail, it should be dried. The design is applied either directly to the prepared base, or colored shellac is applied to the base and the design is applied to it.

Popular manicure techniques: “abstraction”

An abstract nail design is perfect for beginners. It does not require special skills or a lot of time. This manicure can be romantic, extravagant, discreet, flashy. Everything will depend on the chosen colors and pattern.

For this manicure you will need:

Varnish base.
Several varnishes of different colors.
Needle or toothpick.
Cotton swab.
Drying.

It's better to start with the simplest pattern. You will need two varnishes that are similar in color, for example, pink and lilac, white and blue, purple and red.

Before you do a spot manicure, you need to practice a little and choose the right tool.

Technique:

The nail plate is covered with one of the varnishes.
Without letting it dry, apply 3-4 dots in the center (depending on the length of the nail).
Now these points are connected with a needle in one direction (from the edge to the hole, or vice versa). You can alternate. Make one finger from the edge, the second from the hole.
The finished drawing is covered with a fixative.

There is another option where it is better to choose varnishes in contrasting shades. For example, black and red, black and white, yellow and green, blue and white.

The technique for doing it is as follows:

Mentally draw a vertical line that divides the nail plate in half.
Each half is coated with a different varnish.
One color (black) should be applied to the ring finger.
On the middle one - another (red).
Three red dots are placed on the black half, and black dots on the red half.
Now you need to draw a line with a needle from the middle of the point to the center of the nail, slightly lowering the line. And so on for all 6 points.

The fastest and easiest option would be:

Cover the nail with base polish.
Place dots of different sizes and colors in random order.
Using a toothpick, connect all the dots (mix all the colors).

Tip: To make the abstract design look neat, all nails should be the same length.

Simple drawings

Applying a pattern to your nails yourself is quite easy, especially if you use your own imagination.

Before you start applying the pattern, let the first layer, which is the base, dry.

If you are confident in your creativity and drawing abilities, then you can apply the patterns yourself using a regular needle .

Take any vessel that you don’t mind (you can use an ordinary piece of cardboard), drop a drop of the selected varnish into it. Now take a needle, dip it into the drop and start drawing on your nail with it. The design can be any pattern that allows you to bring your imagination and skill into the manicure.

You can easily and quickly create a unique pattern on your nails using narrow adhesive tape. Colored shellac is applied to the base. Don't forget to dry the next layer well! Now it's time to form the pattern using adhesive tape.

You can make the pattern the same for all nails, or you can apply the tape in a unique way for each nail. Now apply a layer of shellac of a different color. Remove the adhesive tape from the nail and only then go dry your nails.

An interesting pattern is obtained if you use the lace you have on hand . Place the lace on the nail at the desired angle and apply a layer of shellac on top. Dry the drawing thoroughly under the lamp and apply a layer of transparent shellac on top.

Point technique

Before you do a spot manicure, you need to practice a little and choose the right tool.

For this type of manicure you will need:

base or foundation (which will level the nail so that the polish lays more evenly);
varnishes of different colors;
dots;
fixative;
foil.

For beginners, instead of dots for drawing on nails, you can pick up tools from home equipment.

Well suited for these purposes:

safety pin;
hairpin;
pencil;
pen;
cotton swab.

It's better to practice on a piece of paper first. This will make it easier to understand what diameter circle each tool produces and how it will look on the nails.

To make nail art for beginners you will need certain tools.

The procedure will be as follows:

The base is applied. It must dry completely.
The nail is covered with white varnish. Can be replaced with soft blue, light pink or beige. It should also dry well.
You need to drip red varnish onto a piece of foil. Using a dot or other instrument, dots of different sizes are applied at the bottom of the nail plate, repeating the shape of the hole.
The tip of the tool must be wiped with a napkin to remove any remaining varnish.
The same procedure must be repeated with varnishes of other colors up to the tip of the nail.
After complete drying, the drawing is covered with a fixative.

Making a geometric pattern

Geometric designs with gel polish are very popular because they look unusual, but even a beginner can draw them. In the process of work, you need to use two types of brushes: thin and wider. It’s better to figure out in advance what the drawing will be like. To do this, you can draw a nail on a sheet of paper and draw a conventional pattern on it. It will be much easier to repeat such a print.

With a brush you can easily draw squares, triangles, and various zigzags. But to depict circles, it is better to use dots. Moreover, this pattern will go perfectly with a classic French manicure. It is not even necessary that the design on all nails be identical. The more important thing in this case is to combine colors correctly. The combination of black, pink and yellow in a graphic design looks impressive.

Using a sponge

There are two techniques for painting with a sponge. They differ from each other in the degree of complexity and the final result.

For this manicure you will need:

Base coat. Better with strengthening function.
Varnishes of different colors, but similar shades.
A piece of foam rubber.
Foil.
Cotton swab to remove unevenness.
Nail polish remover.
Toothpick.
Finish coating.

The first method is perfect for those who decide to do such a manicure for the first time. It is easy to implement.

Technique:

Any manicure begins with applying a base coat.
Then the varnish of the color that will be the main one is applied. This should be the lightest shade. You must wait until it dries completely.
You need to drip a different color of varnish onto the foil (darker or any opposite color, in which case the manicure will turn out brighter and more extravagant).
Dip a sponge into the polish and apply to the base of the nail. Press down, but not too hard. Remove sponge.
If several shades are planned, then the next color is applied overlapping slightly higher than the previous one.
The third or fourth color, if desired, is applied to the tip of the nail.
It is necessary to remove excess nail polish (on the cuticle and sides) with a cotton swab dipped in a special solution (nail polish remover, acetone).
Secure the design with colorless varnish.

The second option at first glance seems easier than the previous one, but, in fact, requires more concentration:

The nail is covered with a manicure base.
3-4 colors are applied to a piece of foil.
Using a brush or cotton swab, transfer all the colors right next to each other to another piece. If there is free space between them, you can simply connect the layers with a toothpick.
The sponge is dipped into the palette and pressed against the entire length of the nail.
Remains of varnish are removed with a cotton swab dipped in liquid.
After drying, the finishing coat is applied.

Advice! It is better to choose a sponge of small thickness and dense texture. A good option would be a regular eyeshadow applicator.

Shellac: what is it?

Shellac is a natural resin excreted by female chickweeds. This substance is used to make a special gel polish, which is then used in the manicure industry.

Today shellac is a unique and only hybrid of varnish and gel.

Reasons for the popularity of Shellac

Beautiful shellac designs on nails are one of the reasons why this manicure technology is at the peak of its popularity today. Marigolds coated with this product acquire a pleasant varnish effect.

It is easy to apply on nails, so any girl can perform this manicure. This technology is easy to apply. With a little practice, a nail art lover will paint her nails no worse than any professional manicurist in a beauty salon.

Another advantage is that it is easy to remove. It is enough to “soak” the polish with a false nail remover and it will be removed within ten minutes. Remaining varnish can be removed using an orange stick.

The reason for its popularity is also that this varnish is indicated if for some reason a girl cannot have a manicure with acrylic or gel.

Benefits of Shellac

This coating has a lot of undeniable advantages. In particular, this manicure:

long-term;
dries instantly;
has no smell;
hypoallergenic;
does not chip;
does not lubricate;
strengthens nails;
does not contain dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene;
does not require mandatory polishing, as is necessary with other manicure techniques;
does not require the use of special primers.

When is it better to hold off on coating?

It is better to wait with a coating such as Shellac if there are problems with hormonal levels. Also, do not rush with such a manicure if the girl is undergoing treatment for cardiovascular diseases. In both cases, Shellac may not adhere well to the nails and may peel off.

The main nail coatings are gel polish and shellac - what is the difference? We'll tell you the differences right now!
Is it possible to remove shellac at home? Of course! Read how to do this in the article.

Using tulle

A wonderful option for beginners would be an openwork design on the nails. A very beautiful, delicate, romantic and elegant manicure is obtained if you use a piece of ordinary tulle or lace.

In addition to the standard things (base and topcoat), for such a pattern you will need:

Varnishes in two colors.
A piece of tulle or lace with a small finished pattern.

It is better to cut several strips with the same or similar patterns. This way, the remaining polish after the first application will not spoil the design on the next nail.

Technique:

After the base has been applied and dried, the base varnish is applied.
You need to wait for it to dry completely and only then start applying the drawing.
To make the pattern neat, it is better to take a piece of fabric that is thin and long so that it can be comfortably held with your side fingers. If it is possible to involve a second person, it will be easier.
A piece of lace is pressed against the nail plate and polish is applied on top of it. It is quickly removed so that the varnish does not have time to set, otherwise the design will be smeared.
After drying, a fixative is applied.

Advice! It is not necessary to cover all your nails with the same pattern. On one nail it may be larger, on the second it may be smaller. Some nails don’t need to be decorated with a design, but simply left colored in a single color.

Options for using gel polish in nail design

Gel polish can be used in the traditional way , that is, choose the desired color and apply it to your nails. The brighter the shade required, the more layers will need to be applied before finishing.

A French manicure can be achieved perfectly using gel polish if you cover the nail plate with a colorless or light base and apply white or colored gel polish to the regrown part of the nail.

The combination of matte and gloss is an original nail design idea. The main plate is coated with glossy gel polish, and the regrown part is given a matte effect. One shade or a combination of two colors is possible.

Technique based on the 3/2 principle , when three fingers are painted in one shade, and the remaining two are painted in a contrasting color. This manicure looks very beautiful, but it should fit the overall style of appearance.

The use of stencils , stickers, and drawings on a plain background of gel polish is quite popular. Drawings make hands attractive and original.

Decorating nails with a gradient

Gradient manicure is a gradual transition from a dark varnish color to a lighter one. This technique is often called amber.

The simplest gradient option is to cover each nail in a different color. To do this, you will need 5 varnishes of different colors (for example, from white to blue). If this is not possible, then you can use only two colors of varnish: base (for example, red) and white, and by mixing yourself achieve the desired result.

For a design on nails for beginners Hearts You will need 2 colors of varnish, a base, a toothpick and a fixative.

Procedure:

The first nail on the thumb is covered with the main color.
On a piece of foil you need to drip varnish of the main color and add a drop of white.
The resulting shade is applied to the second nail.
A little more white is added to the remaining mass and the third nail plate is covered, and so on until the last.

You can perform a gradient manicure using a sponge.

Advice! When making amber, shades can be applied not only horizontally, but also vertically.

Preparing nails for manicure

To make the coating durable and attractive, you need to prepare your nails . It includes the following measures:

The cuticle is trimmed and the nails are given the desired length and shape;
Using a special file, the surface is polished - this helps remove excess shine from the surface of the nails;
The marigolds are treated, for which any antibacterial drug can be used;
The surface of the nails is treated with alcohol .

Next you need to wait until your nails dry. If you don't have alcohol on hand, you can simply wash your hands with soapy water and then wipe them dry with a towel.

Toothpick design on nails: “Hearts”

For beginners, it is better to use the simplest nail art techniques. To perform them, you need good lighting and precision movements.

You will need 2 colors of varnish, a base, a toothpick and a fixative.

The technology is very simple, you can do it the first time:

The base for the manicure is applied.
The nail is covered with varnish of the main color.
Separately, varnish is applied to foil or a small piece of paper, which will be used to draw the heart.
2 dots are applied to the nail plate parallel to each other.
From each point, use a toothpick to draw down strips at an angle so that they can be connected at the end.
The result is a neat heart.
Cover the top with a fixative.

Flowers

To make buds bloom and flowers bloom on your nails, use polish in two shades: white and black. The first step is to apply a base coat, which needs to be dried under a lamp for several minutes. Then the nails are coated with black on top and sent back to dry. Colored varnish must be kept under the lamp for at least three minutes. This design is suitable for a New Year's party.

Spring floral manicure

Painting with a brush: Watermelon design

Brushes can be purchased separately in specialized stores, or you can buy ready-made sets: varnishes with a special, sophisticated brush specifically for applying a design.

There are two ways to make the Watermelon pattern.

First option:

The nail plate is covered with pink or red varnish.
A green stripe is drawn with a brush near the hole.
A thin white stripe is drawn above the green one.
Dots imitating watermelon seeds are drawn along the entire nail plate.
The top of the design is coated with colorless varnish or fixative.

The second option is similar in execution technique to the first. Only green and white stripes are drawn not near the hole, but at the tip of the nail plate.

Snake skin

A bold option for daring girls. Prepare your nails by covering them with green gel polish and drying them under a lamp for two minutes. Next, a pearlescent swamp-colored varnish is applied and, using a brush, droplets of a colorless coating are placed on the nails in a chaotic manner. Wait until the image develops, fix the result with finishing and dry under the lamp.

Snake skin effect

Nail art using tape: “Geometry”

Before starting this type of manicure, you need to carefully think through the details and carry out preparatory work.

In addition to the standard set (base and topcoat, varnishes of different colors) you will need:

masking tape.
nail scissors (to cut out the desired shapes).
tweezers.
thin brush for drawing.

It’s easier to start with the simplest geometric shapes and patterns (stripes, triangles, squares).

Technique:

After the base is applied, the nail plate is covered with one light color.
Shapes of the required shape are cut out of scotch tape with scissors and carefully glued onto the nail using tweezers. They press tightly. To make it easier to remove the tape later, it should protrude beyond the nail plate.
The top of the nail is again covered with a darker varnish.
If desired, the entire procedure can be repeated, but with a different ornament and varnish of a different color.
After the varnish has dried, the tape must be removed.
Cover with fixative.

Combination with other types of design solutions

Manicure options in which the nails are covered with gel polish with a pattern (pictured above), Suitable for a variety of styles clothes.
For evening wear It’s better not to choose geometric ones drawings.
It is important that the color of your polish didn't create too much contrast with the color of your clothes.
Drawings with dots can be combined with geometric patterns.
Three-dimensional drawings and drawings on wet gel polish are self-sufficient. Therefore, it is better to combine them only with a manicure without a pattern.
If you do a manicure with a pattern, then pedicure should be with a similar type of pattern.

Whatever patterned manicure you choose, the main thing to remember is that it should be neat. Because hands are an indicator of a girl’s well-groomed appearance. What nail design do you prefer? Share your opinion about manicure with drawings in the comments.

Feng Shui manicure

For those who are interested in the teachings of Fei Shui, it will be interesting and useful to know what laws and rules must be followed in manicure. Feng Shui experts advise starting to do manicure in a calm, peaceful state .

Quiet, relaxing music or sounds of nature should be playing in the background (for example, the sound of the sea, like the element of water), a candle should be burning (help of the element of fire), the window should be open (element of air).

First, you need to decide which area of life needs to be activated; the color scheme, and even the fingers, which will need to be given special attention, will depend on this.

It’s easier to start nail art with the simplest geometric shapes and patterns (stripes, triangles, squares).

Those who dream of attracting love into their lives need to focus on the middle (new discoveries, flirting, falling in love) and ring (meeting, acquaintance, new connections) finger of the right hand.

itself in pink tones (activates femininity, youth, tenderness), and on the indicated fingers to make soft, smooth designs in red (happiness) and gold (spiritual and physical strength) tones.

New items for the season

Fashion is fickle like a real woman, and behind the external stability its nuances are constantly changing. This is what happened with the 2022 trends. It would seem like a repetition of the previous one, but new facets will not let lovers of the art of manicure get bored.

According to the tradition that has developed over the past few years, nail design seeks to emphasize naturalness. Extra-long claws are a thing of the past; instead, short or medium plates are more common. Volumetric decorations, rhinestones, shiny ribbons and other decor are acceptable in small quantities, but it is better to leave it for holidays and special occasions.

The desire for naturalness has also adjusted the shape of the nails. Pointed or square plates gave way to almond-shaped and oval ones. These claws are suitable for the vast majority of women and do not lose their practicality at any length.

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Festive design 2016 (photo)

As for priority colors and designs, we can highlight several fashion trends using gel polish:

plain pastel (cream, blue, pink and others);
dark and rich colors (black, coffee, various berries), including matte finish;
new variations of red (scarlet and crimson);
updated lunar appearance (colored hole, the location of which can change, unusual combinations of shades, combination with a jacket);
playing with contrast (simultaneous use of pastels and dark colors in the form of various patterns);
gradient manicure made from a combination of berry and nude colors;
“broken glass” coating using pieces of special foil.

The rich palette of gel products does not limit the implementation of these trends in any way. The latter allow you to choose a relevant and original coating for any occasion, season and mood. For this, a minimal set for manicure with gel polish will be enough.

“Airy Tenderness” – 2017

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