Nail Art
Nowadays, there are so many ways to look good and be
presentable. Because of technology, many things have been made easier. If you
want to have a not so usual look for your nails, then, nail art is the answer. Nail
art is
a creative way to paint, decorate, enhance, and embellish the nails. It is a
type of artwork that can be done on fingernails and toenails usually after
manicures or pedicures. There are millions of different nail art designs
to choose from.
Nail
is a plate of keratin that lies on the tips of the fingers and toes. The main purpose of the
nail is to protect the fingers and toes; however, the fingernail also assists with
certain physical activities in daily life.
Below are the diagrams of the nail and its structure.
Structures of Nail
1. Lunula - the pearly coloured
and crescent shaped is due to the cells being pushed closely together, the
blood capillaries cannot be seen through the lunula because of this.
2. Cuticle - the overlapping epidermis
around the nail. It is the transparent skin, which is called the 'true cuticle'
that is removed during the manicuring process.
3. Free edge -the part of the nail that can be filed and shaped. It is
an extension of the nail plate that overlaps the hyponychium.
4. Matrix – it is the only living reproducing part of the nail.
This is situated directly below the cuticle. New cells form here and
continually push towards to produce the nail plate. It also contains blood
vessels and nerves. Blood supply provides the cells
with nourishment. If the matrix is damaged the nail will grow deformed.
5. Nail bed - the part of
the nail where the nail plate rests on, also a continuation of the matrix. It
is abundantly supplied with blood vessels and nerves, having numerous parallel
ridges which dovetail exactly with the ridges on the under surface of the nail
plate.
6. Nail walls - the
folds of skin that overlap the sides of the nail. They hold your nail in place
and protect the nail plate edges.
7. Nail Plate - is visible nail that rests on the nail bed up to the
free edge. This is made up from dead cells and minimum amount of moisture. The
nail is semi-transparent – allowing the color of blood
supply of the dermis to show.
Shapes of Nail
The shape of nail conforms to that of finger tips of an individual.
The shape of nail conforms to that of finger tips of an individual.
1. Oval nail -
this is common among people with long,
perfect nail beds. It may be styled slightly rounded at the base and slightly
pointed at the fingertips. Most often this type of nail has a natural look and looks very
good in a short-medium length.
2. Round nail - ideal for shorter nails, the nail is allowed to grow out
straight at the sides
for approximately 1.5 mm and then the tip is filed into a rounded shape. This
is a
strong shape which is great for those who keep their nails short.
3. Stiletto/ pointed nail - filed away at the sides
to a point at the tip; this shape is very weak
as the sides of the nail (which provide the strength) are totally lost.
4. Squoval - As above, but followed by squaring off the tip, this gives
the nail tip strength
over the oval shape.
5. Square nail- The square-shaped nails are the most famous among the nail shapes. It is created by
allowing the nail to grow out straight and then filing the tip straight across at right
angles with the rest of the nail plate.
Different Basic Nail Design
A. Plain manicure
- It is the traditional application of nail polish to the entire nail plate.
- It is the traditional application of nail polish to the entire nail plate.
1. Apply base coat
· Begin with little finger of one hand. Repeat polish application on the other
hand
2. Apply two coats of polish
· Use light long strokes from nail base to free edge
· Apply polish to the middle of the nail first and then to the sides.
· Repeat second coat of polish to both hands
· Remove excess polish around nail with a cotton tipped orangewood stick
3. Apply top coat
· Apply a top coat over the entire nail plate.
Tips: Learn the history of color by buying an artist color wheel. You can use what you learn to help clients select complementary colors that match their skin tone.
B. Half-Moon
Half moon is a style that involves applying of nail polish over the whole nail plate except the area of lunula.
Half moon is a style that involves applying of nail polish over the whole nail plate except the area of lunula.
Steps in giving Half-moon
nail design
1. Apply base coat
1. Apply base coat
2. Apply white or platinum nail polish and leave for a few minutes to dry.
3. Apply colored polish from one side to the other side of the
nail following the shape of the lunula. Repeat the application of the nail polish if necessary.
4. Remove excess polish
from the skin.
5. Apply top coat.
C. Half- Moon with Tip
It
involves the application of colored polish over the whole nail plate except the
area of lunula and tip of the nail.
Steps in Giving Half-moon
with Tip
1. Apply base coat
1. Apply base coat
2. Apply white or platinum
nail polish and leave for a few minutes to dry.
3. Apply colored nail
polish from one side to the other side of the nail to form a half-moon, leaving
the lunula of the nail Leave the part of the free edge. Repeat the application
of nail polish if necessary.
4. Remove excess polish
5. Apply top coat.
D.French Manicure or Tip
design :
It is
a design which involves the application of colored polish over the whole part
of the nail except the area of the free-edge.
Steps in giving French
Manicure-Variation no. 1
1. Apply base coat and leave for a few minutes to dry.
1. Apply base coat and leave for a few minutes to dry.
2. Apply white or platinum
nail polish and leave for a few minutes to dry.
3. Apply colored nail
polish from one side to the other side of the nail following the shape of the
free- edge . Repeat the application of nail polish if necessary.
4. Remove excess polish
5. Apply top coat.
E. French Manicure or Tip design - Variation no. 2
It
involves the application of white nail polish or colored polish on the tips and
coating the rest of the nail with a sheer polish . It’s suitable for short
nails and those with moderate length of nails.
Steps in giving French
manicure-Variation no. 2
1. Apply base coat and leave for a few minutes.
1. Apply base coat and leave for a few minutes.
2. Apply a coat of translucent pink polish over your entire nail.
3. With the use of white or colored nail polish, draw a thin line over the tip
of the nail following the shape of the free edge of the nail. Apply second
coating if necessary.
4. Remove excess polish.
5. Apply top coat.
F. Elephant Tusk
Elephant
tusk is a style that involves the application of nail polish to create S curve,
leaving a slightly larger gap along the nail walls.
Steps in making Elephant
Tusk:
a) Apply white or platinum nail polish and leave for a few minutes to dry.
a) Apply white or platinum nail polish and leave for a few minutes to dry.
b) Apply colored nail
polish creating a half circle design at the inner side of the nail as you
continue it to form S-like.
c) Fill up the other side
to complete the design.
d) Remove excess polish.
e) Seal with a top coat.
Tasks for the students:
Share your insights and learning
from this blog by making a comment below. Try doing one of the basic nail art designs.
Then, take a photo of you (your face and nails) and post it on our facebook
group page.
References:
Learning Module:
K-12 Basic
Education Curriculum (T.L.E.) Learning Module in Beauty Care (Nail Care)
Websites:
Pain Manicure- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvOvQdjlXfA
Half moon-
Half moon with tip-
French tip-
