Nail art is hard to believe, but once upon a time this phrase was unheard of. Quite long, pointed nails remained at the peak of popularity, and fashionistas’ favorite polish color invariably remained – guess which one? Of course, red! But there are no trends that would not change the dashing 90s. It was then that fashionistas slowly began to “be bold” by painting their fingernails and toenails - bold, right? - in different colors, grow to incredible lengths, and “almond” and “stiletto” have become the most trendy shapes. Today, your favorite beauty guide MakeupStore invites you to take a ride in a virtual time machine and remember how nail art trends have changed from the 90s to the present day.
More, more glamor: rhinestones, mother of pearl and beads
Down with the greyness, that is, excuse me, the total redness of the manicure! Although a varnish of such a bright shade can hardly be called dull and boring, after such a long period of time it has already become quite boring. That is why fashionistas of the early 90s had a blast: back then it was hard to surprise with chains hanging from nails, an abundance of rhinestones, stained glass and other brilliant variety. In combination with acidic shades and mother-of-pearl, it was an explosive mixture! Well, don’t forget about length and shape: first, the longer, the better; the second is as predatory as possible. So that the one who fell into the hands of such a beauty would definitely not be able to escape :) We understand that such glamorous chaos could not last forever, so already in 1996, with the entry of the CND Nails brand into the market and fashion catwalks, everything was decided : enough! You need to be more modest! And the laconic monochromatic square came into fashion firmly and for a long time.
Nuances of creation
The length and shape of the nails is an important part of a manicure with a bright print. The shape can be any, but this season the nail industry gives preference to soft square, oval and almond-shaped options.
Creating a leopard manicure - step-by-step instructions
This color looks great on nails with short or medium length. But those with short nail plates are not recommended to cover all their nails with this design. And highlight one or two in a single color.
Fashionable leopard manicure is also performed on long or extended nails. The main thing is not to lose moderation in length - otherwise it will look vulgar. For long nails, it is best to choose calm shades of both the base color and the spots. Owners of such nails will be able to afford a greater variety of designs - for example, a leopard print jacket.
An animal pattern can decorate all nails or alternate with monochrome and other manicure techniques. You can also cover part of the nail by placing small spots in a vertical row along the edge of the plate.
Calm, only calm: pastel and French manicure
In the 2000s, the square shape became softer, the corners were rounded, and the provocative shades were replaced by pastels. At the peak of popularity is “French”, with its ostentatious modesty and desire for maximum naturalness. Deliberately “unpainted” nails with a bright white stripe now already bring a smile, although the French manicure procedure in salons is still a success. But then, for 10 years, wearing a French jacket was the chic of chic! Apparently, this is why such a calm and, let’s face it, slightly boring trend has been replaced by bright and comfortable manicure options.
Wet manicure design
So, your hygienic manicure is ready, your hands and nails are in order, they are fresh, tender and neat. Now it’s worth returning to the seventh point and taking care of the design. If you don’t like varnishes, you like naturalness, then you can simply coat it with clear varnish and call it a day. But if you have an event or a date, then you want to complete the look and add color to your nails. Now it’s up to you to choose what shade your varnish should be. And now there are simply a huge number of them. But besides this, there are various top coatings that perform important functions in creating a manicure.
- Protect the coating from external influences.
- Maintain the aesthetic appearance of manicure for several days.
- Topcoats have some effects that will make the same polish look different.
- An important feature of some fixatives is the drying effect, which significantly speeds up the drying process of the coating.
Now let's look at what types of tops there are that can complement and complete your manicure.
- Colorless topcoat with a glossy shine and a protective function.
- Top with drying effect.
- A very popular finishing matte coating among many, which evens out the nail and makes any glossy varnish matte. But the downside of this top is that it chips quickly.
- “Wet nails” effect. This coating takes longer to dry than others.
- To add shine to your nails, you can use a top coat with multi-colored glitter.
- For a rainbow glow effect, apply the holographic version.
- A top coat with a sugar effect will add texture to your manicure.
As you can see, just a few products will help you decorate an ordinary manicure and make it beautiful. Experiment and make your hands even more attractive.
Stickers: any whim - on your nails
These have been the trends since 2010. Well, working women are short on time, but really want to bring ideas to life! In addition, the design of stickers can satisfy any fantasy - from minimalist monochromatic to the most intricate and wild! Do you want a checkered pattern, do you want flowers with stripes, or even a leopard print. If you didn’t like it, they removed it and that was the end of it. And note - no acetone or ruined smeared manicures!
A simple and beautiful manicure is what you need for every day
Intricate designs in the form of monograms on all nails, four-color ombre, or landscape painting are already quite boring. And sometimes it takes almost the same time to complete them as the manicure itself. Fashion in recent years has strived for simplification in all areas of beauty. And we follow it with pleasure. After all, it no longer requires sacrifices in the form of time, health and comfort.
Who will benefit from this article:
- for beginner manicurists;
- girls who find it difficult to decide before their next manicure session;
- for those who prefer to do their own manicure using gel polishes;
- for those who perform manicures at home using regular varnishes.
We will provide examples and detailed instructions on how to make this or that design yourself. We will also give you ready-made ideas for simple nail designs. Among the examples you will find what you need, regardless of your goals and dress code. Be it an office, school, university, or just the goal of pleasing your loved one and always looking 100%.
2012-2014: the main thing - briefly
Long nails become bad manners, and care products come to the fore so that even short nails look attractive. Unedged manicure is gaining popularity, and the appearance of cuticles no longer causes holy horror. The main thing is that the regrown edges should be as short as possible, and the nail bed itself should be as long as possible. To do this, various oils, gels and waxes are used. As for color, two extremes dominate here - either darker than dark, up to a black gloss, or nude. It could be very different - from the notorious “mannequin hands”, when the shade of the varnish almost merges with the skin, to beige, peach, “morning rose” and milk. Texture ranges from translucent gel to thick creams.
What is a wet manicure?
This is one of the varieties of traditional manicure, at the initial stage of which a bath of warm water is made for the hands in order to soften and soak the tissues with liquid. It is also called “maceration”. Hand baths are usually made in a glass or ceramic container to retain heat longer. Disinfectants must be added to the water. You can also add aromatic salt, lemon for a whitening effect, or substances that moisturize and nourish the skin. This is the most common type of nail and cuticle treatment. Thanks to its simple technique, this manicure can be easily done at home.
Geometry, moon and multicolor: trends 2015-2017
“Moon manicure”, of course, did not appear then, but much earlier - back in the 30s of the last century. But its revival in a slightly updated format is a whole era! Now the hole can be bent in any direction. The main thing is color! Gold, silver or just a bright shade that contrasts with the background is what matters. During the same period of time, geometric manicures, a combination of plain nails of different colors, and magnetic shimmers like a “cat’s eye” came into fashion.
How to choose a simple nail design for beginners
Of course, the most obvious choice would be to apply a single color to your nails. If you haven't painted your nails before, we recommend starting with this. If you already have experience in manicure, choose based not only on your desires, but also on the length.
For short nails
Not all designs look elegant on short nails. It is important to choose the right color and type of design. For example, many stickers will be too large, and some colors will indicate imperfections in the nail plate.
What designs can be made at a minimum length:
- kamifubiki;
- minimalism (dots, hearts, stripes);
- small rhinestones and bouillons;
- holes with sparkles;
- the holes are transparent;
- glitter for several nails.
What colors for short nails are universal:
- plum;
- nude;
- mauve;
- Navy blue;
- Marsala;
- beige-pink;
- classic red.
Remember, light colors, of course, visually lengthen the nail plate, but they require a perfectly executed manicure. Don't be afraid of dark colors, they look very stylish on short lengths. In addition, they are able to hide the imperfections of the marigolds. To do this, simply do not paint over the sides of the nail, leaving a small gap. This will help narrow the wide nail plate.
Designs are best done in neutral colors, such as nude, beige, light blue. They will look more harmonious and not be as conspicuous as in bright, self-sufficient colors.
For long nails
Owners of long nails are practically unlimited in the choice of colors and types of designs. At a sufficient length, you can safely use stickers, rhinestones, geometry and much more.
For square nails
The square shape has been very popular for many years in a row for a reason. It perfectly combines a variety of designs without looking “too much.” The square, thanks to its clear lines, smoothes and balances even the most daring nail designs.
2018: fresh trends of the season
We are now enjoying the logomania that has taken over the fashion catwalks since last year. Do you love any brand? Confess your feelings to him right on your nails! If such a decision seems too bold to you, then let’s tell you a secret: minimalism has never let anyone down. Choose your favorite polish that matches your clothes or even your mood - and paint to your heart’s content. A plain manicure on short nails remains popular, but if you decide to grow them, give preference to an almond shape. It continues to be a hot trend.
Do you understand the history of manicure and the latest trends? Hurry up to share useful information with your friends on social networks!
Technology for wet manicure at home
Before starting the procedure, let's get acquainted with its positive and negative sides, and then you will decide whether you need wet nail art.
Pros of wet nail art
- Relatively inexpensive cost. For the procedure, you only need some tools, water and a bowl.
- Minimal time investment. A wet manicure is a fairly quick procedure, even if you do it yourself.
- If your cuticles have grown quite heavily or your nails haven't been done for a long time, this is the only way to get your hands in order.
- Maceration has virtually no restrictions and is suitable for absolutely everyone.
Cons of wet nail art
- During manipulation, it is possible to easily injure the delicate skin of the nail fold.
- Infection may occur if the instruments have not been disinfected.
- Burrs may occur if the tools are not sharpened well enough.
- Rapid growth of a new layer of skin that needs to be removed.
Recommendations before the procedure
Before you start doing a wet manicure, file the nail plate. If you file off the top layer of the nail coating after soaking, you can damage the structure of the nail and its delamination may follow. That is why it is not recommended to carry out a wet manicure immediately before nail extensions.
Wet manicure technique
If you decide to do your own nail treatment, you need to do it step by step, as required by the instructions.
- Wash your hands with soap.
- Prepare a hand bath by heating it to a temperature of 38-40 degrees. If desired, you can add soap solution, soda or salt to the water.
- It is necessary to steam the brushes in stages, first one, then the other. When the skin and cuticle soften, begin processing the cuticle.
- Maceration involves using a spatula or an orange stick. Push back the cuticle with it.
- Using scissors or tweezers, remove excess skin from the periungual fold.
- If necessary, reduce the length of the nail and trim the end with a file.
- Apply a design to your nails if the occasion requires it.
- At the end of the procedure, apply cuticle oil and hand cream.
The nail treatment procedure is quite simple and understandable. You will need a minimum of time and expense in order to look well-groomed and tidy.
