It is becoming more and more common to see people with perfectly manicured and especially decorated nails, some even extravagantly. Nail art is the most decorative aesthetic aspect of fingernails and toenails. In nail art, you use various tools such as different colors, brushes and both simple and complex methods to achieve fantastic details. Nail designs have evolved over the millennia, leading us to the works of art we see today. The term nail art encompasses everything related to nail decoration, whether this is limited to a single color or full of detailed decorations.
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The history of nail decoration
The first recorded method of nail art in antiquity relates to Indian women using henna to dye their nails with a practice that can be traced back to 5000 BC, about 7,000 years ago. Processes for adding pigments of various types to nails spread throughout the world in the following centuries as the world evolved. Modern nail art, however, did not exist until the 15th century, when the Incas began decorating their nails with images of eagles. It wasn’t until the last century that Revlon released its first nail polish, in the 1930s to be precise. This move prompted more companies and more people to enter this world, which led to the creation of fake nails in the 1950s. However, the 2000s brought about the nail art movement that we know today, with its various colors and endless creative methods.
Nail care in modern times
You can simply be yourself or experiment with new looks: all options are available when it comes to nail art. The colors range from matte black to electric yellow to sparkling white to glossy or matte colors: there are hundreds of options. There are also a variety of tools to draw on your nails, such as stencils, stamps, adhesive strips and more. Acrylic nails have also evolved and we now have products for natural nails and products for fake nails, such as gel nails. Nail colors then, have become stronger and longer lasting, allowing you to keep your hands perfect for longer.
What materials do I need for fashionable nails?
You’ll need several different nail art tools. Let’s go over each item together, briefly, with tips to help you get started!
Nails
The first and most important thing you’ll need is nails, of course! You can always use your own or someone else’s. Alternatively, you can also use hands and training nails. These are items that replicate real anatomies and are generally used for training and practice. Although you’ll always have your own nails to practice on, it’s actually very different to do nails for other people if you’ve only trained on yourself!
Nail polish: base and top coat
Whether you plan on painting your nails or even just decorative elements, it’s good to have put on a base coat. The base will smooth out any imperfections or discrepancies by providing a smooth canvas on which to begin decorating. Some base nail polishes also call for a topcoat: this coating will help protect your work once it’s finished.
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Nail polish
An important part of nail art is choosing nail colors. Regardless of whether you will use one or more colors, you can use different palettes to bring your nails to life. You can buy in cosmetic shop colored nail polishes one by one or you can buy them in sets.
Nail brushes
As with other decorative methods or techniques, you’ll need a set of nail brushes. While most polishes come with a small brush included, it’s essential to have smaller or square-shaped brushes for precision decorations and details.
Acetone and Nail Solvents
When starting out in a new creative endeavor, making a few mistakes is inevitable. That’s where nail polish remover comes in! Depending on the type of nail polish you’re using, you’ll need to use one of the two main types of nail polish removers on the market: acetone and non-acetone remover. Non-acetone solvents are generally gentler on nails, while acetone-based solvents are stronger and faster at removing nail polish.
Ready to start your decorated nail journey?
