What is a nail airbrush and how to use it correctly

Hello, dear readers! Are you tired of monochromatic manicure? Do you want your nails to look like a work of art? An innovative device - an airbrush - will help you with this.

From this article you will learn what this device is, how to use an airbrush for nails, and what various decorative options you can create with it. We will also focus on materials for airbrushing and look step by step at creating one of the design options.

What is airbrush

Airbrushing on nails is a relatively new direction of artistic painting, the design is transferred to the nail plate with 100% accuracy, the transitions between a light shade of varnish and a dark one are smooth and clear.

In this direction, some masters create masterpieces comparable to paintings by famous artists. Others depict a whole story on their nails, and some can transport the starry sky in all its deep beauty. Artistic painting is done with varnishes or paints, special stencils for airbrushing on nails are used to create beautiful designs. Perfection of lines and transitions is achieved thanks to a special airbrush device.

Working with an airbrush

It should be noted right away that the art of airbrushing in general (and on nails in particular) cannot be mastered in a week or two. You can paint portraits with an airbrush, but people who have achieved such perfection in this technique have needed years of constant practice. You cannot create masterpieces without learning how to paint: first you need to master the technique of applying paint.

How to work correctly

In order to reach a professional level in airbrushing, you first need to work out the technique of producing an air-droplet mixture of the required concentration using a trigger.

It is necessary to ensure that the mixture always dries almost immediately after application. Achieving such a result is not so easy - you will have to practice a lot.

So, let's get acquainted with the basic rules and techniques:

1. While working, hold the airbrush in a way that is comfortable for you. It is only important to maintain an inclination of approximately 45 degrees. The accuracy of the image on the nail plate depends on this.
2. When working, the wrist should remain motionless. Spraying is carried out with brush movements - up and down. As a result, the coating will be more uniform.
3. First press the trigger (lever) to introduce air, and then smoothly move it back so that paint begins to flow into the system. Once the mixture begins to spray, gently press the lever forward and the spraying will stop. Repeat the entire cycle several times until you feel that you can control the process with the trigger.
4. To ensure that the paint and air are mixing correctly, first apply a sample to absorbent paper.
5. The less you press the trigger of the device, the less intense the color.
6. Move the tool smoothly - this way you will evenly spray the pigment over the nail.
7. Always watch your hand and don't stop it. Otherwise, an unattractive stain will appear on the nail plate.
8. If you want to get thinner lines, then keep the airbrush at a close distance from the nail; if you want to make more transparent and blurry outlines, then move it further away.
9. Only slow down the spray gun if you want to achieve a more intense color.

Important! Do not forget to rinse the airbrush by passing the cleaner through it before filling the tank with paint.

How to clean

The sprayer will last a long time if you properly care for it.

Do not forget that it must be cleaned after each use. This is done using an alcohol solution or a special product:

1. Use a paper towel to remove any remaining ink from the tank.
2. Pour alcohol or a special cleaner into the hole.
3. Turn on the airbrush and force the liquid through the needle.

Now you can refill the paint and get to work. The same is done when changing colors!

Airbrush and its types

To create a stylish airbrush nail design, in addition to paints and varnishes, you need a special device - an airbrush. You need to buy a device for airbrush on nails carefully; not only achieving the desired results, but also the quality of the applied patterns depends on the right choice. There are a large number of different types of instruments, represented by two standards of action: simple and double.

A simple airbrush makes it possible to control only the flow of coloring matter and is convenient when working with ready-made stickers. The double-acting device makes it possible to control the amount of liquid and air supplied. Allows you to work not only with stencils, but also to make drawings yourself, changing the thickness of the line and its clarity.

You can choose a cheaper option for learning paint application skills or buy an expensive and high-quality Japanese tool for constant use. It is best to purchase an airbrush complete with a compressor, so as not to have to select a separate device later. The price category for the sets varies from 3,260 rubles to 30 thousand rubles. You can select a separate compressor, but you need to pay attention to the sound during operation, as well as the amount of air that can pass through the compressor per second.

The main distinguishing features of expensive and cheap tools intended for painting nails are:

• company manufacturer;
• the principle of spraying materials, can be external and internal;
• nozzle diameter;
• capacity;
• tank type;
• needle stroke;
• ability to change pressure;
• precision paint spraying.

The companies Jas, Sparmax and Iwata have proven themselves well. Jas are Chinese companies that produce relatively inexpensive equipment, intended in most cases for beginners and infrequent use. Sparmax is a manufacturer of instruments in Taiwan, the instruments are of an average price and quality level, suitable for constant use. Iwata is a Japanese company that supplies the world market with the highest quality equipment; it is used by professional craftsmen; with devices from this company you can be confident in the durability of the airbrush and the quality of the work it performs.

comparison table

The table below clearly shows the advantages of devices from each company.

When choosing an airbrush, you should understand that when working with cheap models, spraying the coloring material can be inaccurate and wasteful, parts of the tool can often fail, and the needle stroke is not adjustable, making it difficult to draw lines without stencils.

Working with an airbrush

Each equipment, for long and good service, needs special care and proper operation. To extend the life of the device you need to follow a few simple rules:

1. Before you start painting, you need to fill a special tank with regular water, then press the start button and do a few sprays.
2. Thanks to water, the remaining paint will be removed; only a few milliliters of liquid are needed.
3. After checking, pour out the paint and wipe the bowl with a towel.
4. Place a few drops of paint into the tank and close it with a lid.
5. Point the tool at a sheet of paper and press the trigger several times.
6. To adjust the paint supply, to increase the color density, you need to pull the release lever towards you.
7. Point the device at the nail without stopping the device to create a pattern.
8. In order to create thin lines, the airbrush needs to be brought as close to the nail plate as possible.
9. Before each change of paint, the tank must be washed with a special solution.

How to use a nail airbrush

Airbrushing nails requires experience, for this you need to master the basic application lessons. At the master classes, they study the complete manual; you can practice on your own using the following instructions:

1. Learn to hold your airbrush at a 45 degree angle. This tilt contributes to the quality of the design.
2. Lightly press the release hook and force air through the device system.
3. Then continue to press the hook in your direction to supply paint.
4. The intensity of the color depends on the pressure - the less the release is pressed, the less the density of the coloring agent.
5. The technician needs to move the device to spray the material over the nail plate.
6. The hand is controlled so that it does not stop, otherwise a spot will appear on the manicure in the form of a wet effect.
7. When the airbrush is close to the surface, thin lines are obtained; further away, more transparent images appear. The last option increases the spray area.
8. To achieve color saturation, slow down the movement of the device.

After training on white paper, tips, clarity, beautiful thickness and correct contours will appear. Thus, you can move on to creating a professional art design on your nails.

Tools for artistic painting

In order to start creating an airbrush manicure, you will need to have certain materials on hand. List of required tools:

• paint sprayer;
• compressor for air supply;
• special paints;
• base varnish;
• tassels;
• plastic tips, for training;
• rubber gloves, preferably thin ones;
• tweezers;
• sample drawings;
• a mat on which you can cut out an image;
• disposable towels.

Gradient French glitter

For lovers of shiny shimmers and bright designs, the craftsmen offer an original transition from a single-color coating to a decor with a scattering of small shiny elements or confetti. In the same or different colors, the gradient at the tips of the nails creates the real magic of sparkling stars. Which is perfect for evening wear at formal events and parties. You can also replace glitter, for example, with holographic rubbing.

Step by step creation

Airbrushing on nails is the dream of most girls. However, there is sometimes not enough time to do such a manicure in salons, so the fair sex strives to create masterpieces at home. Having purchased all the necessary materials, it is very easy to learn how to paint with an airbrush.

Creating a simple design with a stencil:

• Wash the hands;
• Clean the nail plate from the previous varnish;
• Prepare your nails by doing a manicure;
• Sand;
• Degrease;
• Apply a colorless base;
• Select the color of the varnish;
• Apply the main shade;
• If it is gel polish, dry it under a UV lamp;
• Select a picture;
• Apply the stencil using tweezers;
• Choose a paint shade;
• Pour a few drops into the tank;
• Point the device to the side;
• Press the power button;
• View the quality of paint spraying;
• Move the device to the nail;
• Moving the nozzle further or closer, spray paint, changing the contrast;
• Turn off the device;
• Using tweezers, remove the stencil;
• The lines can be corrected with a thin brush;
• Cover the finished drawing with a fixative;
• Place your nails under a lamp to dry.

To create a more intricate and complex design, you can use several stencils and complement the design with glitter or rhinestones. If special stickers are not available, any lace fabric or mesh will do. You can do a manicure using only smooth transitions of different colors.

Fashionable space shellac manicure - photo

The cosmetic type of manicure is the main one. It itself is divided into hardware, European and classic. It includes such stages of procedures as working out the cuticle, sanding the nail plate, and giving it various shapes. At the end, nourishing oils can be used.

• Classical.

Also called trimming because the process involves trimming the cuticle.

• European.

Or not edged. As you might have guessed, there is no cutting of the cuticle. She is just pushed aside.

• Hardware.

This manicure uses a special device with various attachments.

Airbrush paints on nails

When working with an airbrush, it is best to use special paints. Airbrush paints on nails are sold both individually and in sets. There are several types of paints:

1. Basic - applied to the substrate, creating the main background of the nail plate, used in ombre, for working with fabrics and prepared designs.
2. Neon is a paint based on a phosphorescent pigment that charges under the influence of sunlight and begins to glow when it gets dark. For color stability, before applying paint, it is recommended to add a few drops of the base palette.
3. Nude (see examples of photos of nude manicure) are the paints closest to natural colors. In the palette you can find rich colors of lime, mint or warm tones of cocoa and marsala. They are opaque, thanks to this it is possible to apply the shade to any other layer of paint.
4. Mother-of-pearl – give the manicure a special look, thanks to the shimmer in the sun’s rays, the nails seem covered with fairy pollen.

When choosing paint, you should look at the grains and thickness of the substance. Good paint should be as thick as low-fat kefir, without grains or other unknown particles.

Low-quality paint liquids sometimes contain large particles that can clog the nozzle, after which the airbrush may spit or break.

The main components of the dye for airbrushing are: adhesive additives and water-based acrylic paints. Thanks to the additives, adhesion to the surface of the nail plate is enhanced, and a beautiful airbrush manicure lasts longer on the nails.

The price category of one bottle of paint varies from 100 to 200 rubles. The price depends on the manufacturer and the type of paint itself. In addition to special paints, you can use gel polishes, but before use they should be diluted with a special solution, bringing them to a more liquid state.

Tools and materials

In addition to the airbrush kit, consisting of a compressor, a hose and an automatic gun with a reservoir, you will also need:

• A set of water-soluble acrylic paints in basic and bright shades;
• Training tips to gain experience with the device;
• A washing station is not necessary, but will simplify the work;
• Flushing fluid;
• A thin brush for cleaning the nozzle during operation, so as not to disassemble the entire device each time;
• Single or themed stencil sets - disposable or reusable;
• Tweezers;
• Set of brushes for cleaning.

Tips, pigments, washing liquid and a washing station can be completed immediately with the starter kit for the airbrush. If you purchase not the starter kit, but the device itself separately, you will need to complete it yourself with the above materials.

Stencils

Blanks for creating original ornaments and beautiful designs. Stencils help create a masterpiece, even for those people who have absolutely no brush skills and do not know how to draw. Any stencils are suitable for airbrushing, both single-use and special templates for repeated application. Beginners often use disposable paper blanks; for professional use, reusable stencils are purchased.

Stencils are divided into five main groups:

• Vinyl – adhesive-based blanks that fit tightly to the nail plate, disposable.
• Paper - disposable stencils, made specifically for French, lunar design and other flights of fancy.
• Film - specially created for airbrushing, the film is translucent, allowing you to see the basic tone of the nail plate. The adhesive side does not damage the tone, and thanks to the water base, which does not dry out over time, the stencil can be reused many times.
• Metal - reusable templates made of thin metal that bends easily and is washed after design.
• Plastic and metal plates - used for stamping, do not have an adhesive base. Not suitable for airbrushing.

Airbrushing templates are often sold in small sheets containing six to 12 designs. Sometimes there are large sets of stencils in which up to 50 pieces of different kinds of images are available. The cost of stencils, on separate sheets, ranges from 60 to 100 rubles. The price threshold for sets can reach up to 1,500 rubles.

Gradient with transition: how to quickly create a fashionable design.

The simplest gradient with transition
. What colors are needed for this? We take 5 varnishes of the same color, but different in shades, and cover each nail from the little finger to the thumb in turn, the transition is from one finger to another. If you don’t have 5 shades of the same color, it’s easy to create them yourself. To do this, we need a primary color - for example blue, and an additional color - for example white.

We cover the first nail with a blue tint; on the second nail, in a separate container or simply on a plastic/glass palette, we mix a drop of blue varnish and a small amount of white, thus obtaining a shade that is a shade lighter. Cover the second nail with the resulting color. Next, mix in a little more white again, getting an even lighter blue tint, and cover the next nail. Next, we simply continue mixing polishes according to this scheme until we reach the last nail. At the same time, we can also show originality and creativity, cover all 10 fingers in a gradient from blue to absolutely white, or cover 1 hand from blue to the lightest blue, and cover the second hand as well, or mirror it.

Art Design Kits

Creating an airbrush manicure is a rather labor-intensive process, and selecting tools for a novice master can be quite tiring. For beginners, it is best to buy a special kit for airbrushing nails. There are several types of kits:

• Basic - which includes an airbrush device, a compressor and a hose. The average cost of a set is 3,500 rubles.
• Improved - this set may contain additional jars and stands for them, an airbrush cleaner, and a special pipette. The price category ranges from 4900 to 6500 rubles.
• Complete set - this set contains not only basic tools, but also paints and stencils. The cost of such a set is about 15 thousand rubles.

By purchasing sets you can save not only time on shopping trips, but also money. The cost of the set is much cheaper than buying the materials separately.

Geometric gradient: design features and method of execution.

In the last season, geometric gradient (graphic) on nails gained enormous popularity. The geometric gradient design with gel polish is done with a thin brush. For it you will need 2 gel polishes: rich color and white. Gradually diluting the colored shellac with white, we get an increasingly lighter shade and draw a geometric gradient step by step with a thin brush from the lightest shade, gradually moving to the darkest, applying a thin layer so that the gel polish does not spread. There is no need to dry each step. Only after finishing the entire drawing, we send the design to dry in the lamp. The most common and popular in 2016 was the geometric diamond gradient (diamonds, diamonds).

Source: website manikyr.ru

How can you create a geometric gradient on your nails with regular polish, since it dries very quickly?

For this it is better to use nail stencils. Stencils can also be used in gel polish manicure. But gel polishes tend to flow under the stencil, so you need to get used to it. For varnish, this is an excellent option, the varnish dries quickly in the air and does not spread, its excess can be easily removed with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover. In addition, manufacturers now offer a large number of stencils and slider designs with a variety of geometric patterns that are suitable for creating an incredible geometric manicure.

Manicure gradient:

Manicure ideas

For young girls, it is best to use bright color shades of varnishes, with neon paints and stencils in the form of flowers or intricate patterns.

For those who want to emphasize their romance, you can use pink polish as a base, apply glitter powder on top, and finally paint the silhouette of a cat, angels or hearts on several nails with white paint.

Fashionistas are best suited to futuristic solutions that combine brightness, sophistication and an unusual arrangement of various designs.

For an everyday day, you can use light transitions of pastel shades of paint, complemented by drops of glitter or rhinestones. If desired, the manicure can be supplemented with an image of the zodiac sign on one nail.

For dreamy people, you can create a galaxy, starry sky, milky way on your nails, or zodiac constellations on each nail separately.

In spring, you should stick to rich green shades, with leaves or grass on each nail.

For the winter period, craftsmen recommend applying a colorless base, and using stencils and light paints to paint snowflakes. You can apply a fine mesh along the edge of the nail; this option will look more effective.

To lift your spirits, a rainbow manicure is best, combining bright colors with various geometric shapes, stripes or spots. You can complement it with sequins, rhinestones or glitter.

French manicure can be given luxury by using a delicate flower coming out from the side of the nail plate, for a delicate execution, you can make a pattern of several flowers on one nail. It is advisable to make drawings with light colors.

French shellac 2021-2022

French is rightfully a classic in the nail industry. Fortunately, the capabilities of shellac allow you to easily create a beautiful French jacket; to do this, you will need to add pink and white shellac to the list of necessary materials.

You can apply a French coat using shellac if you purchase varnishes in the desired colors.

1. After the base, pink varnish is applied and dried in a lamp, possibly in several layers.
2. A rounded line of the required thickness is drawn at the end of the nail with white varnish. For convenience, you can use special stencils. With their help, the line will be smooth and application will be easier.
3. We apply the top.

Education

In order to learn how to use an airbrush and work with stencils, it is best to attend airbrush lessons on nails. There are various training programs which are divided into basic course; advanced and complete. The basic course can be completed in one day, mastering the skills of working with the apparatus, varnishes and paints. The full and advanced course will take several days to attend.

In the advanced course, you can learn how to create multi-level designs, combine several manicure designs, and use two airbrushes at once. The full course is needed for people who plan to teach people the art of artistic painting.

The price of training varies depending on the school and the city where classes are held. The average cost of one lesson is 2500 rubles. In most schools, you need to have tools and supplies for work.

Fashionable moon shellac manicure - trends

With a lunar manicure, the base of the nail stands out. It is very reminiscent of the moon, hence the name. The discharge is usually oval or round, without sharp corners.

Lunar manicure appeared quite recently, but has already gained great popularity among girls.

Moon manicure is usually performed on short nails. These nails look very unusual and are one of the most fashionable trends this season.

Nail gradient with watercolor paints

Great option. To create a gradient, it is recommended to choose color contrasts, and for ombre nail designs - approximate colors.

• Using watercolors, draw horizontal lines and mix colors together.
• Wait until completely dry.
• Cover with top.
• You get a lighter and more airy layering of shades - an excellent background for further nail design.

Gradient gel polish vertically

If it is difficult to choose one color in the design, then you can combine them using a vertical transition. As a rule, this nail design compares favorably with a plain-colored finish. In addition to the gradient, many fashionistas add patterns of rhinestones to the transition line, matched to the color of one of the varnishes. This solution gives the manicure expressiveness and depth.