Guide to Nail Art Techniques

With these techniques you can create stunning, beautiful nail designs.

Before you start make sure your nails are clean and dry.  Always use a base coat as this will help the polish to last longer, help against chipping and stop polish staining the nail.  Allow the polish to dry in between coats.  If using nail polish have some nail polish remover to hand so you can clean your brush between colours or water if using acrylic paints.

Basic Techniques

Dots - There are lots of items you can use for dots.  Detailing pens, brush, brush end, toothpicks and other similar objects.  Just place on nail with light pressure and lift straight up.

Strokes/Flicks - Use a long very thin brush.  Touch the nail with the brush and pull across the nail with a flicking action.  Apply some more pressure for thicker strokes.

Tear drops - Apply slight pressure with the brush touching the nail so that the hairs spread out.  Then pull the brush down releasing pressure as you go.

C Stroke/Comma - The same as writing the letter c.  Start at the beginning of the c and apply pressure as you reach the middle then releasing as you finish the letter c.

S Stroke - Start and sweep the brush down moving slightly to the left, then applying more pressure move to the right and then releasing the pressure, back to the left.

Swirls - Hold the brush in a upright position over the nail, swirling around in a circular motion.  Move lightly for thin swirls and heavily for thick swirls.

Applying Glitter and Rhinestones

First apply a clear polish to the area you wish to cover with glitter.  While the polish is still wet sprinkle glitter onto the nail.  Then apply top coat to seal in and protect your design.  Have a piece of paper underneath your nail during this to collect the excess glitter.  You can then return it to the jar.

The same technique applies to rhinestones.  Dab some clear polish where you wish to place the rhinestone.  Apply while the polish is wet with gentle pressure.  Then apply plenty of top coat to seal in the protect. 

Have a go and just experiment and see what you come up with.  Have fun.

By Tracy Despard.