How to acrylic nails - Eyeball

Eye-catching nails? Yes we can. Pun intended.

After prep and prime, apply a nail form underneath the natural nail. Apply a medium side acrylic ball on the free edge, let it flow and pat it in place. With that ball you create the needed length.

Apply a second ball at the stress area and fade it upwards. This will prevent overfilling the nailbed when removing the design later on.

When it has completely dried, remove the form and shape the sidewalls and free edge. Also file the nail smooth for further application of the glitter. 

Apply a glitter color of your choice to the free edge and fade it up. I chose a nice bright pink.

Depending on which eye color you are going for, apply a ball of glitter acrylic somewhere in the middle of the nail where you want the iris to go. I keep the top somewhat straighter.

Using white acrylic, create the whites of the eye around the iris, giving them the shape that you want. I went for somewhat a rounder eye, but you can also go for almond shaped. I did not apply white acrylic above the iris.

Filing around the white acrylic will allow you to correct the eye shape to your likings and give it a more crisp look.

Apply a large size clear acrylic ball near the cuticle and pat it into place and stroking the acrylic down towards the middle. Apply a second ball at the free edge and stroke it up to blend in with the rest.

When everything is dry, it's time to file the sidewalls, free edge and the surface of the nail. After filing, buff the nail so that it would be easier to draw onto it. Remove all the dust with a wipe and some rubbing alcohol or in my case, IBD prep. If you have any dust left on the surface of the nail, the gel topcoat is more likely to bubble up.

With a calligraphy pen and black drawing ink, start drawing the pupil. Then outline the eye. When drawing the outline of the iris, I made the inside uneven with little lines to create the limbal ring.

Also don't forget to draw on some eyelashes.

To give a little spark to the eyes, apply two small dots. I used a silver pen to draw Christmas cards with.

When all the ink is dry, coat the entire nail with a gel sealer, I am using NSI Glaze 'n go. Let this cure for 3 minutes in a uv lamp. 

Hope you like it!

3D Flowers

This time I have the honor to use a glitter mix from Melbeautynails called "Mardi Gra"

It's a gorgeous gold and purple mix with all sorts of colored hexagons.

Prior to the video, I removed the old design and already prepped the nails.

First, I start off by removing any excess dust and oils from the nails with Nail pure plus and a lint free wipe.

With the "Mardi Gra" glitter mix (mixed with clear acrylic), I put a ball at the free edge, spread it from side to side and with the flags of the brush, I fade the glitter up towards the middle.

I am using a Nr. 6 acrylic brush.

Next I put on NSI superbond primer and with a Nr. 8 acrylic brush, I picked up a ball of NSI totally clear and placed that at the cuticle area, leaving a space between the acrylic and the cuticle.

I pat the ball from side to side and swipe it down towards the free edge.

If you need more acrylic, you can always add an extra ball.

It's better to add more than to take away.

This is the same for all 10 nails.

After shaping and filing, I let my friend wash her hands to get rid of any excess chemicals on her skin and dust from the nails.

For the 3D flowers, I put some pure acetone in the monomer to let the acrylic dry a whole lot faster.

(This is so your ball of acrylic won't get runny/too wet)

I think I use 40/60 acetone/monomer.

I am using a Nr. 2 acrylic brush, which tip comes together to a point.

Picking up small balls of acrylic can be tricky, so make sure to have a little practice.

I place a tiny ball of NSI radiant white on the nail.

I put my brush in front of a ball and start pushing my brush down to whichever side I want my petal to be. when you lift your brush and you petal starts to form a ball again, this means you have to wait a couple more seconds, because it's too wet.

You know when your ball is ready when it starts to get dull.

Depending on your Acetone/monomer ratio, it takes longer or faster to dry.

When I get 3 petals, I place a ball of acrylic in the middle immediately put a Swarovski crystal on top and pushed it in. The color is in "aurora borealis" (AB)

If you need to fix the appearance of the centerpiece, do so.

I created flower petals on each nail.

To finish off the nail, I put a coat of NSI Glaze 'n go on the nails (NOT on the petals)

and let that cure for 3 minutes.

And last but not least I massaged the cuticles with cuticle oil.

I really love this design, Thank you Mel for sending me this glitter mix.

I hope you liked this tutorial and thank you for reading/watching

x

Funky Leopard Print

Old design has already been removed. 

In the video I start off by dehydrating the nails with Nail Pure Plus, this also removes any excess dust and oils.

With NSI superbond, I primed the new nail growth.

With IBD builder gel clear and a gel brush, I apply a thin coat of gel and let that cure for 2 minutes.

With the same gel and brush, I apply a thin coat from the middle of the nail towards the free edge.

This is so that our glitters will stick.

With a clean brush (a brush that is wiped off) I pick up the bright green glitter and start patting that on the free edge, fading it up towards the top. And I let that cure for 2 minutes.

I did this to all 10 nails.

Once every nail has glitter and has been cured (to lock the glitter in place) I am brushing on a thin coat of that same gel, so that we have a somewhat smoother surface for our nailpolish/paint to go on.

I let that cure for 2 minutes.

Then I remove the tacky layer to do the leopard print.

If I were to leave on the tacky layer, my design would slip off if I brushed over it with a gel brush.

With China Glaze's "pool party" and a dotting tool, I start adding random spots to the nails

With Oumaxi's black acrylic paint and a dotting tool, I did the outline of the leopard print.

When all that was dry (about 5 minutes to be sure) I Brushed on my final layer of gel and filled it up with strings of gel to create strength and thickness. I let that cure for 3 minutes.

When all 10 are done, I removed the tacky layer, shaped the sidewalls and free edge, put on some Orly Glosser (top coat), let that dry and finally added some cuticle oil and rubbed that in.

This design can easily be done with acrylic and even nail polish :)

I hope you enjoyed this design and stay tuned for many more to come

x

How to do nails on a nailbiter

Why do people bite their nails?

Are they nervous?

Are they scared?

Is it a habit or does it taste good?

All I know is, it doesn't look nice.

Woman's nails are our business card and also shows how well we take care after ourselves.

We can enhance the way our nails look, even with a simple french look.

Whether you use tips, a form or on their own nails, that is up to you and your client.

I am going to do gel nails on her own natural nails, because she asked for it.

If I was to elongate her nails, I would have personally used her own skin as a form.

(her skin is slightly higher than her nails, so putting a form "underneath" her nail won't work, and a tip is too big)

As always start with sanitizing and prep

In the video, I sprayed her hands with IBD prep, this sanitizes her fingers.

I pushed back her cuticles and trimmed off the excess.

(nail biters are more likely to have a larger cuticle growth)

With a 100/180 grit file, I used the 180 side to take away the shine of the natural nail.

When all 10 are done, I removed the dust with a kabuki brush, sprayed her nails with IBD prep and wiped her nails with a lint free wipe. This removes any excess dust and oils and also dehydrates.

In the video I only showed one coat of NSI superbond primer, but I applied 2 coats to promote optimal bonding.

Then with IBD builder gel clear and a gel brush, I brushed on a thin coat.

Nail biters have super tiny nailbeds, so it is best not to use a large brush.

With a rosewood stick I went around the cuticle and sidewalls.

I let that cure for 2 minutes.

With a dotting tool and Jean Marin builder gel white, I start forming her free edge.

I only take a small amount of gel on the dotter and add more when it is needed.

We can't go too thick or else the nail will look unnatural when it is finished.

Don't worry if you touch her skin with gel, just clean it with a rosewood stick.

It is inevitable to make a mess.

Remember: The end result is what counts.

Keep the free edge thin, do not go over 1/3 of the nail or else it won't look good.

(1/3 white, 2/3pink)

With a clean gel brush I cleaned up the smile line and let that cure for 2 minutes.

After all 10 are done, I brushed on a thin layer of IBD builder gel clear with a clean gel brush.

Then with short strings of gel, I build up the nail to get an even and smooth surface.

I went around the cuticle and side walls with a rosewood stick and let that cure for 3 minutes.

When all 10 are done, I removed the tacky layer with non-acetone nailpolish remover and a lint free wipe.

With my file I clean up the sidewalls and free edge.

Removed dust and applied Orly Glosser

(high gloss nail polish)

With cuticle oil, I pampered the cuticles.

Took some pictures and finish!

Secret rose garden

Prior to the video I already sanitized hands and tools, removed the old design, pushed back cuticles and took away the shine from the natural nail.

In the video I start by using IBD prep on a wipe and rubbing that on the nails, this takes away any dust particles, oils and dehydrates.

With NSI prep DX I dehydrate the nail again.

Then I put on the first coat of NSI superbond nail primer, on natural nails only.

With a No.8 oval brush I start forming the free edge, and do that to the whole hand.

Then right before applying acrylic to the nailbed I apply a second coat of primer on the natural nail only.

Then I start building the nail with NSI attraction totally clear powder.

When all 10 fingers are done, I shape and file the nails (not shown in video)

When that's done, I let my friend wash her hands to remove any excess chemicals and dust.

Then again with some IBD prep on a wipe I make sure the dust is all gone.

And then I start stamping roses on the nail.

The image plate is from Born Pretty Store 

They work very well and I have used those stamps multiple times in the past couple of weeks on 

Seahorse nails, Mystical wings and Dolphin nail art.

For topcoat I used NSI's Glaze 'n go

That has to be cured for at least 2-3 minutes.

I conditioned the cuticles with Nurture Oil

Took some pictures and done.

☆★ ROCKSTAR TOE NAILS ★☆

Meet my litte piggies!

It was about time I redid my toenails, and now since it is getting warmer and almost spring, I thought it would be a great idea to so.

In the video I start off by sanitizing the toes. Then I push back my cuticles.

With a 100/180 file I take away the shine of the toenails. (180 side)

Then I dust away any dust.

Then I prime the toenails with natural nail primer from IBD.

I apply my first coat of clear builder gel from IBD, going around the cuticles area with a rosewood stick

and let that cure in the U.V. light for 2 minutes

Then I shake out some neon pink glitter and purple glitter onto a tray.

I put on a thin coat of clear builder gel from IBD and then with a clean brush I start patting on the pink glitter at the free edge fading it up.

With another clean brush I pick up some of that gorgeous sparkling purple glitter and place that on the cuticle area, fading it downwards, towards the free edge.

Going around the cuticle are with a rosewood stick and letting that cure for 2 minutes.

Did that to all 10 toes.

Then I go in with my last coat of clear builder gel from IBD.

The first coat goes on thin, and the second coat (without curing in between) goes on a bit thicker to creat a smooth surface.

We don't need a nice arch or curve on the toenails, just a shiny even surface.

Going around the cuticle area with a rosewood stick one more time, and letting that cure for 3 minutes.

When all 10 are done, I take a lint free wipe with non acetone nail polish remover

 and remove the tacky layer.

Then I'm filing the sidewalls and the free edge, remove dust and apply ORLY glosser (clear nail polish)

And that's it!

☆★ French gel nails ★☆

There is nothing like a good old french nail

In this video (not available yet) I start off by sanitizing and pushing back the cuticles.

With a 100/180 file I take off the old gel, but I leave a thin layer of clear gel on the nail.

Once the old gel has been removed I take away the shine of the natural nail.

Then I dust off, and spray them with IBD prep, and wipe it with a lint free wipe.

Then I take my primer and drain the access on a paper towel and put it on the natural nail only.

Then I take my clear builder gel and take a bit on my brush and brush it on the nails.

With a rosewood stick I go around the cuticles and in the sidewalls to make sure there is no gel run into it.

And I let that cure for 2 minutes (or till you other hand is done as well)

Then I took some of my new white gel on a dotting tool and start forming the smile line

(this gel was a bit more runny and did not cover well when brushing it on)

I am not pleased at all with this white gel, but for the sake of the video I continued to show how you use a white gel that has a runny consistency 

(the reason I'm not pleased with it is: It does not self level

 and needs too much manipulation to have a nice look)

Then I go in with my brush and perfect the smile line.

I let that cure for 2 minutes 

Then with my clear builder gel I brush a layer on the nail, and then I pick up a string and start building the nail.

Once I am pleased with the thickness and shape, I go around the cuticle and sidewalls with my rosewood stick and let that cure for at least 3 minutes.

Once every finger is done and fully cured, I take a wipe with nailpolish remover and clean off the tacky layer.

With my file I go around the free edge and sidewalls to make sure there are no sharp edges.

Then I use a clear nailpolish and when that's dry I put on some cuticle oil,

DONE

Products used:

* IBD prep

* IBD clear builder gel

* Jean Marin builder gel ultra white

* non acetone nail polish remover

*ORLY glosser

* cuticle oil

☆★ Cherry red gel nails ★☆

So these nails are pretty easy to do, even with nailpolish.

In the video I start off by sanitizing the hands and push back the cuticles.

I did not film how I removed the old design, you can watch that in my previous nail tutorial (dolphin nails)

When the old design is removed, you carefully take away the shine off of the natural nail with a soft file (180 grit or softer)

Dust off and dehydrate.

Apply a coat of primer on the natural nails only

Apply a thin layer of clear gel, go around the cuticles with a rosewood stick and let that cure for 2 minutes

Take a bit of clear gel on your brush and apply that on the free edge where you want your glitter to be

Clean off your brush and pick up the red glitter and pat it on the nail

form a nice smile line and let that cure for 2 minutes

This time pick up some clear gel and go over the entire nail, place the sticker on the nail, you can move it around till you are pleased with the position, let that cure for a little while so ensure the sticker is stuck on the nail

Now pick up a little bit more clear gel and go over the entire nail again, and start building it.

I use the string technique.

Let that cure for at least 3 minutes

When all 10 fingers are done, remove the sticky layer with nail polish remover and a lint free wipe

Then file the sidewalls and the free edge

Remove dust and put on a topcoat, let that dry, apply some cuticle oil and massage that in, and you're done

Products used:

IBD prep

NSI superbond nail primer

IBD builder gel clear

cherry red glitter

nailsticker

nailpolish remover 

☆★ Fairytale GEL nails ★☆

Gel

Some one had asked me to do a gel tutorial on the fairytale nails.

So here it goes.

In the video 

I start off by applying a base layer of gel

Let that cure for about 2 minutes.

then I go in with clear builder gel and apply a thin layer to the free edge.

Clear of your brush(i used 3 brushes here) and pick up your first colored glitter and apply that on the nail, using a patting motion.

Dip, pat, dip, pat, dip pat (or else you are going to gel a huge mess)

then clear off your brush and go in with the second color, in my case purple.

dip, pat, dip, pat, dip, pat.

Form your smile line, and then cure for 2 minutes.

The next step is fairly simple, apply a thin layer to the free edge over the glitter and add your circles, cure for a minute or so (to lock the circles in place)

Then do a thin layer of clear builder gel on the entire nail, and start building your nail.

I use the string technique.

Once you are happy with the thickness and shape, cure for at least 2 minutes (I usually let it cure for at least 3 minutes, especially the thumbnail)

Then take a wipe and soak it with nail polish remover to remove the tacky layer.

File the free edge and sidewalls, and apply your favorite topcoat and you are done.

You can file and shape the nail like you would with acrylic, but with the technique I use, I rarely have to do that because the gel is smooth already.

Products used:

*IBD builder gel pink

*IBD builder gel clear

*uv gel brush

*holo glitter in purple and silver

*nail polish remover

*cotton wipe

*paper towel

I hope this was useful and thank you for reading

gel

gel

Cute piglet nail art

How to make "Piglet" with acrylic l&p and paint *l&p=liquid and powder*

___________________________________________________________

As I was bathing my two kids, I took a washcloth from the shelf and looked at it, and I had the bright idea to make it into a nail art design.

So first, take any pink acrylic colored powder that you have that comes close to Piglet's body and start forming your free edge.

I used a neon pink powder and a neon glitter that I mixed with clear powder.

The one on the left is the neon pink powder, and the one on the right is the neon glitter.

Then encapsulate with clear acrylic, and when that is fully dry, file and buff your nail to the desired shape.

With black acrylic paint and a dotting tool, I formed Piglet's eyes, eyebrows and mouth.

With China Glaze's "Pool Party" I made his little cheecks.

Then I mixed a purple acrylic paint with white, to make lighter shade of purple for the stripes on Piglet's belly.

I let that dry completely and put a coat of NSI Glaze 'n Go on it and let it cure for about 2-3 minutes.

Next time I'll try and remember to take pictures in between so I can give you a better step by step, but I think you know what I'm talking about when you see the video.

Products used:

NSI Attraction Liquid

Nailbed: NSI purely pink masque

Free edge: Neon pink powder : no brand

Neon pink glitter : no brand

NSI attraction: totaly clear

Face: Oumaxi black acrylic paint, dotting tool, China Glaze's "pool party"

Body: Oumaxi purple and white acrylic paint, mixed together and a striping brush

Topcoat: NSI Glaze 'n go

Uv light: 5Second travel lamp