Liquid manicure, otherwise called a drop, imitates small drops of dew on your nails. They are usually small in size and have a standard oval shape. And their color is always transparent, in order to convey as closely as possible the natural color of the drop itself.
In some variations of liquid manicure, masters perform it in the form of a pattern of flowing liquid drops. Such designs are drawn either with colored varnish or gel. And the location of the drops is on the smile area or on the nail hole.
Advantages
Dripping manicures are trending this season. It looks fresh and stylish on delicate female fingers. With its help, they create decor for holidays and everyday looks. This method has a number of advantages.
A beautiful appearance will attract the attention of others to your hands. Water drops look interesting and go with any type of wardrobe.
Girls like it because of its lightness and ease of application. This nail art is easy to implement even without much experience. Create a rain effect using a top coat.
In this case, there is no need to spend money on purchasing additional decor. The procedure is much faster than drawing complex images.
Pro recommendations
Nail artists say that it is important to use drip design correctly when performing a manicure. Follow the following tips and then you will definitely be satisfied with your new nails.
- Decorate several nail plates with “rain” decor. A too flashy manicure does not cause much delight, but rather draws too much attention to your person.
- Combine droplets with dark shades of varnish - this way you can make them as deep and rich as possible.
- Use the opportunity to lengthen the “dew drops” with a brush and you will get a more striking effect.
- Don't be afraid to combine drip designs with different manicure techniques. For example, it will add even more tenderness to a French coat, while “chameleon” or “metallic” will make it more peaceful and softening.
Nail design is a matter of taste and style of every girl. Don't neglect ideas, experiment! What if you create a new product for the season?!
Application
Almost any style direction allows you to complement it with drops. The image of plants and flowers looks harmonious if dew appears on them. The marble version looks natural in combination with this technique, as if the stone was in the rain.
You can verify this by looking at a photo of a manicure with droplets. Water splashes may appear on glossy rubs. This technique is also suitable for fruit manicure. The design is complemented by drops of flowing juice.
Interesting nail designs with water drops
Manicure with drops is universal, it is ideal for any time of year. In winter, for example, you can make “rain” on a blue background. This option for decorating marigolds will be associated with the long-awaited thaw. Or you can imitate frost made on a gradient coating.
When creating a summer manicure, you can use your imagination and make, for example, a fruit print. Transparent bubbles will create a realistic image.
For an autumn mood, it is recommended to place 3D dots in a chaotic order; they can be either round or blurry in shape to really create the effect of glass wet from rain.
A spring nail look with droplets should be bright, colorful, emphasizing all the charm and beauty of nature.
Drip nail design looks great on a plain finish and makes the look interesting and unconventional.
Wet style nail designs can complement any type of manicure: French, gradient. At the same time, the drops will not weigh down the image even if you simultaneously decorate your fingers with rhinestones, modeling or sparkles.
Gel polish
Masters can effectively imitate drops. To do this, they use gel polish, which makes it possible to obtain neat and beautiful elements on the coating. This manicure with water droplets looks stylish and natural. Any representative of the fair sex can choose the right option for a certain look. This design is also used for monochrome coating.
You can get this manicure done by an experienced manicurist in a salon or on your own at home. Before applying the coating, preparatory procedures are carried out. Nails require careful treatment. To do this, the cuticle is removed. Each nail plate is given a selected shape. The surface is well polished.
The main procedure begins with applying the base, followed by drying in a lamp. Then gel polish is used. It is applied twice, after each stage the layer is thoroughly dried using a lamp.
Then they begin to apply drops of water. For these purposes, take a brush to draw all the elements. You can use dots to apply topcoat in the form of droplets. Chaotically located circles of dew look unique.
Another method is to use 3D stickers. There are a huge number of them on sale for every taste. You can purchase transparent elements or options with a slight shimmer.
Drop effect on nails
A manicure with water drops can be done using available materials that are used in a regular manicure with gel polish. Let's take a closer look at all the ways to create an unusual effect, and you will choose the one that suits you.
Glossy top
A nail design with a drop effect can be created using a glossy topcoat. But not every topcoat is suitable for this case. It is best to use a glossy rubber topcoat that has a viscous consistency.
A matte top coat is not suitable for creating a water drop effect.
The shape of the drops is done using a regular dots or a native finishing coat brush. In order to have dew of different sizes on your nails, you only need to change the attachments in the dots, starting from small sizes and ending with the largest. Thanks to its dense texture, the top fits perfectly on the nail plate and keeps its drop shape.
Gel for extensions
In addition to the topcoat, you can use a transparent extension gel. The material has a dense texture and fits perfectly on the nails. You can apply it in the same way as a regular top coat. It is enough to scoop up a little gel with a dot and then transfer it to the nail.
Umbrellas and leaves
Drawings that directly indicate autumn rain are in demand. To do this, bright autumn foliage is depicted on the marigolds. The umbrella can also be used for tropical motifs. It looks great at any time of the year.
When it's raining and slushy outside, a flawless manicure will help lift your spirits. Bright yellow and red leaves, umbrellas and raindrops on your nails will bring only positive emotions.
Images with an umbrella on one finger look laconic. You can apply decor to all nails to get an interesting and attractive option. Beginners usually draw the outline of an umbrella, while more experienced craftsmen are able to create beautiful compositions. They fit umbrellas, people and nature into a small space.
In summer, girls choose openwork umbrellas with bright shiny drops. This manicure will complement a light dress or shorts with a T-shirt. If you use decor in the form of sparkles or rhinestones, then with this manicure you can go on a romantic date or a fun party.
Nail decoration
Acrylic paints work best for nail art because they are much easier to work with than regular nail polishes. They, so to speak, expand artistic possibilities when creating individual lines and the design as a whole.
The main element of the painting will be a displaced or diagonal wave. Drawing it is the most difficult task ahead. When all the waves on the nails are ready, you need to draw cute droplets above and below each curve.
The droplets are followed by dots. Using a special tool for putting dots on the nails, you need to carefully dilute the acrylic paint: the better the paint is diluted, the more small dots you can put. The dots should be located on both sides of the wave.
On the untouched tip of the nail you need to apply a top transparent coating (fixer) and sprinkle large silver sparkles on it. After this, completely cover the nails with a fixative in order to extend the life of the manicure.
The result of your efforts and efforts will be a bright festive manicure, which, without any doubt, will lift the spirits of both its owner and the people around her.
Matte finish
You can diversify your nail design with a flowing manicure when the monochromatic coating is already a little boring. This method allows you to achieve amazing depth. Water appears on the leaves after warm summer rain. It can be seen on the grass in the early morning in the form of dew. It shimmers in the sun like precious stones.
Today fashionistas get a natural effect on their nails. A matte manicure with droplets is suitable for any look. Small transparent elements will act as stylish accents on the colored coating.
What it is
Small droplets can be seen on the leaves after warm rain in the summer. And when the sun's rays hit them, these very drops begin to shimmer like the most expensive stones in the world. Remember the drops of dew that hang from the blades of grass and give them a special depth.
The natural effect can be easily replicated on nails. An original manicure with raindrops will be an unusual solution for any of your looks. Small transparent tears will be stylish accents in your covering.
Smart choice
In what designs can this effect be used? We have put together several options for you:
Best Design | Characteristic |
plain | Even in a monochromatic manicure, raindrops look very impressive. Small inclusions will add special depth. Glossy raindrops look best on a matte finish, as there is a play of textures. |
chameleon | If you have a chameleon polish that shimmers into amazing shades at different light angles, then you can also add translucent droplets. |
cat eye | The cat-eye design contains a colored base of shimmer (fine particles). If you want these sparkles to shine in a special way, then decorate the coating with several transparent dewdrops. |
fruit | Fruit nail designs will look more appetizing if a few drops of water appear on the tropical fruits. |
nautical | Well, what would a marine manicure be without the effect of water drops? This is a fundamental part of it. |
floristics | Various flowers on your nails will become voluminous thanks to this beautiful effect. |
drawings | If you want to visually expand your drawing so that it goes beyond the boundaries of consciousness, then you should place a couple of flowing drops on the surface of the drawing. |
Coverage secrets
For you, we have collected the best design lifehacks that will help you make the coating perfect:
- Drops can be applied to all nails at once or only to 1-2 nails on each hand;
- if you don’t have a matte top coat, then you need to lightly buff your nails to remove the glossy layer;
- the effect is not suitable for complex designs with a large number of additional elements;
- If you are using a design with pigment, then for matte you should use only a soft buff.
Design secrets
Girls are interested in learning how to do a drop manicure. You can apply it to one or two fingers or use it to decorate all nails. If there is no matte top, then it is enough to buff the surface a little to remove the glossy layer. This method should not be used for complex equipment with a large number of parts.
The gloss is reminiscent of wet soil, rain, puddles on the streets. The matte option allows you to highlight the design and decor, making the design more expressive.
It is possible to get the ideal option at home. To do this, there is no need to rush; all operations must be performed carefully. It is necessary to optimally organize the work space. First of all, select the main color that will fit perfectly into the image and match the outfit and mood.
You can complement your dripping manicure with rhinestones, which will give it a festive look. It can be used for different events. Rhinestones are placed in a certain order, which is thought out in advance. You can attach them randomly. They are often placed inside droplets to give them a shiny appearance.
Making a 3D design with drops at home
It is very simple to make a manicure that imitates dew drops or rain, for this we will need the following materials and tools:
- gel polish of any color;
- matte finish (to make the droplets on the nails look more realistic);
- gel finish without a sticky layer;
- dots with different tip diameters. If you don’t have a dots, then a toothpick or a hairpin with a round tip will do;
- Ultraviolet lamp;
- file;
- base coat;
- orange stick;
- cotton pads;
- clinser or alcohol.
A water drop manicure is done like this:
- Give the nails the desired shape, push back the cuticles.
- Apply and dry the base coat.
- Paint your nails with colored gel polish on top of the base. If the varnish is thick, then one coat is enough. If it is liquid and bright spots are visible on the plate, then you can cover it with colored varnish in several layers, remembering to dry your fingers in a lamp after each time.
- Apply matte topcoat and dry.
- Soak a cotton pad in cleanser or alcohol and carefully remove the sticky layer.
- Use a dot to pick up a little finishing gel and start putting dots on the nail. If there is no finish, then you can try applying drops of gel polish, after drying which you must remove the sticky layer. Each time after decorating one nail, you need to dry it in a lamp, without waiting until all your fingers are covered with droplets. This way, a 3D manicure will better retain its shape, the dots will be voluminous and even.
This is what drop nails look like on a matte finish:
Look how wonderful the gel finish with dots looks on your nails. Long blue marigolds look very impressive and bright. But on short red or black nails, droplets do not look very catchy, however, they dilute the image and make the monochromatic coating interesting.
Decorative stickers
This type is suitable for girls who want to look fashionable, but are not ready to spend a lot of time decorating their nail plates. It’s easy to paste a picture at home or you can go to a salon.
Manicure ideas with droplets are amazing. You can use transparent components or choose colored elements. Self-adhesive pictures have a number of advantages. They are inexpensive and can be applied to the surface without using a lamp.
Removing a boring pattern is simple; this procedure does not require additional tools. Stickers can be used for any nail shape. They can be applied over gel polish.
Before starting work, you should carefully select the type, decor, and shade of the coating. When choosing a product, the main patterns must be taken into account. To get a clear image, it is better to take light or clear varnishes. The whole procedure takes about two hours, but the result is worth it.
Making “dewdrops”: four methods
Did you know that there are several ways to apply “rain spray” to your nails? Which one to choose depends on your experience, taste preferences and the time you are willing to spend on a manicure.
No. 1: Painting with a brush
- Before moving on to artistic painting with a brush, you need to perform a classic manicure. This is the basis. The further process step by step:
- Choose the gel polish you like and cover your nails well with it. Dry in a UV lamp.
- Take a thin brush and paint a few small circles on your nail with dark polish. Blend them to create a hazy effect. Dry well in a lamp.
- Apply droplets of gel or top coat on top of the circles. Dry again.
The application technique is quite simple. Thanks to it, a shadow effect is created. It is this that gives the “splashes” natural volume.
No. 2: Use dots
In nail art there is a special tool with which you can apply perfectly even circles on your nails - dots. It is an elongated plastic cylinder (like a regular fountain pen), with balls of different diameters at both ends.
Tip: It doesn’t matter if you don’t have this tool on hand. It can easily be replaced by a safety pin or a regular toothpick.
The application technique using dots is almost the same as with a brush. It is advisable to correctly select the color of the gel polish and the tone of the polish for the circles so that they match well with each other. And then everything depends on your imagination.
In this video, the master shows what a spectacular design can be created using dots.
No. 3: Volumetric stickers
This is the easiest option for creating a drip manicure. There are many varieties of “splashes”: from transparent to pearlescent.
Before purchasing such stickers, take a look at the photo and choose the option you like best. Drop stickers can be either the main design element or a secondary one.
No. 4: Beautiful rhinestones
In order to create a shining drip manicure, some top nail artists resort to rhinestones. Sparkling beads come in a variety of shades and sizes, and you can easily make various combinations of them, including with droplets.
Nail experts do not advise getting carried away with rhinestones, generously strewing the surface of the nail with sparkling inlay. Everything is good in moderation. For example, like in this video:
Photo of a dripping manicure (manicure with droplets)
Volumetric manicure ideas
To make your voluminous gel manicure look impressive, you can use different nail design ideas. We will give you several recommendations that will allow your nails with a voluminous design to look beautiful and stylish:
- A voluminous gel manicure in neutral or light pastel colors looks cozy and feminine. You can use white, light pink, beige, mint, light blue or turquoise varnish. A very beautiful manicure will be obtained by using milk, coffee and cream shades of gel polish.
- If you want to make a knitted manicure with a brightly colored gel, then you can choose light tones of orange, red or blue, but be sure to use a matte finish. This is the only way to achieve the sweater effect.
- A voluminous manicure can be decorated with rhinestones, beads or foil. But for this you need to choose the appropriate nail design. This manicure is more suitable for young girls as a holiday option.
Floral and fruit prints
Add a few drops to this manicure to refresh your nail design. It seems like you just picked a ripe orange or cut a watermelon. By the way, you can add juicy and fresh colored drops that will resemble the juice of ripe fruits.