How to make a gradient on your nails?
![How to make a gradient on your nails?](https://fashion.decorexpro.com/images/article/croppedtop/450-255/2018/10/kak-sdelat-gradient-na-nogtyah.jpg)
Gradient manicure has become fashionable not so long ago, but at the same time it quickly won the hearts of many ladies with its unusual design. He allowed to make women's nails even more beautiful and well-groomed - and all this without even visiting an expensive salon. If you get acquainted with the technique of the correct execution of such a creative manicure and are able to correctly combine the available colors, you will get results that will exceed all your expectations.
The gradient today will allow you to bring to life the most daring and fantastic ideas, play with different colors and tones, constantly combine them, finding new interesting solutions. In addition, the gradient will be perfectly combined with other types of manicure.
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Features of manicure
Gradient design is a popular subspecies of French nail art that represents a beautiful smooth transition of very close and similar colors or, on the contrary, contrasting opposite colors. In a gradient nail design, there are necessarily boundaries between the colors used, only they are not clear, but blurred.
The main distinguishing feature of the nail gradient is the fact that more than one color is present on the nail., but a whole inflorescence of colors and tones. And the colors themselves, that catchy transition from a more saturated and dark tone to a lighter one, and, conversely, at the request of the mistress of the nails create either light and smooth, or sharp and sometimes even rough transitions of the color spectrum.
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The gradient is applied to the nails both vertically - which is more common, and horizontally - the main thing is to do it according to a clear scheme, and then, with cross-border mixing, a much-needed transition from a faded color to a more saturated tone will be obtained. Few of the masters can tell you the maximum possible number of colors or tones: some choose no more than four colors, others work with a dozen - here a lot depends on the creativity of the master, as well as on the shapes and parameters of the nails themselves.
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To design a gradient manicure, all kinds of coating colors are used. Thanks to its versatile appearance, such a covering with a catchy gradient will look great on nails of any length.
There are several types of gradient nail decor.
- The tip of the marigold is painted over with varnish of a lighter undertone, after which this color will gradually flow into a much darker tone. For this kind of idea, you can choose colors of the same shade range or varnishes that are completely opposite in saturation and color.
- The color of the nails can change with a visually inconspicuous transition from one nail to the second. Here, several shades are usually chosen at once in a single color scheme.
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A gradient on a manicure always looks attractive, it will be more than appropriate under various circumstances, the main thing is to choose the right colors used. Gradient coverage can be created with both bold and catchy, and with the help of rather dull pastel undertones.
This kind of coating is perfect for both respectable ladies and very young girls. - because he is all-age. Many people believe that the design of the gradient is a very complicated technique, but in fact it is much easier to "smear" the varnish on the nails than to draw flowers on it, display an ornament or letters. If you set out to learn how to decorate your nails with this method, then you will soon be able to pick up the most interesting ideas for yourself.
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Pros of gradient:
- simple ways of execution;
- great combinations of any shades;
- catchy look;
- inexpensive tools and decor materials;
- the opportunity to come up with a unique design yourself.
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Necessary materials
The gradient is easy to make at home using ordinary varnishes.
In order for the varnish so carefully selected by you to lie flat, and the transitions of one color to another look neat, you need to prepare in advance:
- wax or cream with a moisturizing effect for your nails;
- a product that will allow you to soften and remove the cuticle;
- sticks with cotton wool that will be dipped in a special tool to remove excess varnish on the cuticle;
- base for future manicure and special fixer;
- multi-colored varnishes;
- sponge or sponge, tape, foil.
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How to match colors?
The simplest method of decorating a manicure with a catchy gradient is to choose several of the most stylish shades of a single color that will differ as much as possible from one another by no more than 1-2 tones. They will allow you to form the most beautiful transition.
Considering the fact that it is often not so easy to choose very close colors to each other, you can get them pretty quickly - by mixing different varnishes at home. To do this, you just need to mix varnishes of the same color order to obtain intermediate colors, its darker brother is mixed with a light varnish. The saturation of the resulting tone will directly depend on the proportions in which the colors were taken.
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A special color wheel will help you choose the best combinations.
For the most catchy gradient design, it is better to choose such combinations as:
- adjacent colors - shades that are located in the adjacent sectors of such a wheel (it can be orange and yellow-ocher, light green and light green);
- very similar colors - these are the tones that are located 1 sector from each other (they are as similar as possible and are pure tones) - these are blue colors and pale purple, deep red and orange colors;
- intermediate - between them, lines are usually mentally drawn that intersect at an angle of 90 degrees (yellow and reddish-orange, red-brick and purple tones);
- analog harmony is several colors that go in a row on a wheel with colors (bluish green, blue, bluish purple);
- alternative harmony - luxurious combinations lying on the color wheel opposite the main color and 2 more tones adjacent to it (yellow, faded purple, bluish lilac and reddish lilac).
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Execution technique
You can choose from a variety of techniques to create a stylish gradient on your nails. Most of them are very simple and do not require expensive equipment or special tools. Decorating can be done at home using ordinary varnish. You can complete a large number of different manicure design options thanks to the detailed step-by-step instructions.
- The first way to design a catchy gradient on the nail is simple and perfect for beginners.
- The varnish of the pre-selected color just needs to be applied in even stripes on a small piece of sponge or sponge. The coating should absorb slightly.
- The sponge is firmly applied to the nail until the transition from the first tone to the second is clearly visible.
- The dried coating of the nail is covered with a transparent-looking fixative.
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- Another fun way that requires a piece of foil.
- The varnish is applied in neat strips as close to each other as possible directly onto the foil.
- With a toothpick or a stick specially adapted for this business, the existing shades are mixed a little right at the docking points.
- The varnish can be transferred from the foil to the sponge in the usual reprint process. It is imperative that the varnish cannot dry out until this moment. Then the color will only have to be transferred from the sponge to the nails already prepared for the new coating.
- The whole procedure ends with the application of a transparent coating.
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- When applying varnish to a sponge, it will be very actively absorbed, which can significantly increase the consumption of the coating, and then another method can be applied.
- The nail is simply covered with a base varnish. The next layer of varnish with a pre-selected color should be applied to the nail end-to-end with the first color used.
- Even before the varnish has time to dry well, you need to take a sponge and lightly pat it to create a border between the colors - the border should look blurry and not too clear.
- The finished gradient is covered with a transparent base.
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- A gradient with luxurious sparkles will look extremely unusual. Any available varnish is selected under the base. As soon as the first layer of colored varnish dries up, a layer of coating with shiny particles must already be applied to it. For greater effect, it is best to apply the glitter coating from the middle of the marigold to its edge. The design of the manicure is completed with a layer of protective coating.
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You can also use a special thermal varnish. It is best used by the mistresses of long marigolds: then the effect of the color change will be visually more catchy.
- A correctly selected brush will allow you to create a neat decor with a gradient of high quality. Choose a small, flat brush for quick coating of the nail. For mixing similar colors, you can use both a flat brush and a special fan brush. If you need to create a geometric gradient, then you should also worry about having a stripper brush to apply thin stripes with it.
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The technique for creating a vertical gradient with a brush would look like this:
- with a flat brush you need to paint over half of the nail;
- the other part of the nail is filled with a different color;
- then the brush is slightly moistened in a cleanser and carefully carried out at the junction of the border between the two colors, while you can move the brush slightly from right to left;
- the colors will shuffle and you will have a very nice gradient.
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- To create a striped gradient, you just need to draw transitioning lines of an even or curved look on the nails. Such lines should be as thin as possible, and the transitions should be darker with each application. This kind of design can be considered both romantic and business at the same time.
Actual colors for the gradient from frequent stripes - the brightest or most saturated colors in combination with light undertones. Here, a rich orange can turn first into a peach, and then into a yellowish-cream tone, in the end turning into a snow-white color.
The striped gradient technique is surprisingly simple. You must first prepare the marigolds themselves and cover them with a special base. The main color should be applied closer to the base of the marigolds. Each layer will need to be dried in turn under a lamp. Using a sponge, a contrasting tone is applied to the very tips of the nails, while shading is carried out towards the center of the nail plate. Contrast stripes are made in sections, allowing for deep coloring towards the ends of the nail.
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- Air gradient is also considered to be quite popular. It is done using a special device called an "airbrush", which during operation sprays paint onto the nail in a thin layer under severe air pressure. Most often, an airbrush is chosen for applying a horizontal ombre type. You just need to pour the required amount of paint into the device, a special compressor is connected to it, and the varnish begins to be applied in a thin layer to the desired part of the nail surface. Next, you just need to change the color and spray it on the tips of the marigolds so that a smoothly transient stretch of colors is visible.
Such an interesting colored coating is carefully dried and covered with a top. The remnants of the sprayed varnish can be very easily removed from the skin, for this you just have to wash your hands. An airbrush will allow you to create not only a neat ombre, but also significantly save time. The airy gradient is suitable for ladies of any age group. You can choose absolutely any shades of the most relevant in the current season.
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- Gradient with a sponge - while it should be flat and even edges. The selected sponge should be as dense and durable as possible, not too porous, in no case should it crumble, so as not to leave pieces on the surface of the nail after itself. You can choose a makeup sponge or a regular kitchen utensil. For work, the sponge will need to be prepared - cut off a piece of the desired size.
It is best to first dip such a sponge into water and then squeeze it out well. Thanks to a slightly damp sponge, the varnish used will not fill its pores too quickly and therefore its consumption will be more economical. Thus, most of the varnish will be neatly reprinted from the sponge to the nails.
There are other methods for decorating a gradient with an ordinary sponge - for example, the varnish is first spread on a special palette in the desired sequence or according to the scheme, then a sponge must be pressed to this surface and with its help the varnish is transferred to the nails. In addition, with a sponge, you can define a different direction of the gradient: make it vertically or horizontally, and also make it geometric.
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If you do not get a smooth transition between tones, then you may have chosen too contrasting colors. It will be necessary to find another combination. Alternatively, you can apply multiple layers, allowing each layer to dry a little.
Useful Tips
And a few more recommendations from professional craftsmen.
- Before you start applying the coating, you need to carefully prepare your hands for this process, clean your nails, remove the cuticles from them, giving the nails the same look. You can also apply wax or a suitable cream to your hands for a couple of minutes.
- In order for the selected color to be much brighter, and the result to be the most persistent and durable, it is necessary to use a special base or any varnish available at hand in pastel colors. With its help, it will be possible to completely hide the nail plate under the gradient itself.
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- Many ladies are overly puzzled by the fact that when working on a manicure, the skin near the nail gets seriously dirty. But it is worthwhile to apply a little cream on the skin near the nail in advance, or use scotch tape or ordinary adhesive tape for protection, and the problem will be solved. And if, nevertheless, the varnish accidentally gets on your skin, then it is easily removed with a special correcting pencil or a cotton swab.
- To prevent bubbles from appearing on the surface of the marigold, it is best to immediately choose the most dense sponge, and simply increase the number of layers of varnish. This will significantly improve the appearance and quality of the gradient, making the transitions between colors less harsh.
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- If you don't get a smooth transition of colors, you just need to wait a little until the existing layers dry a little, and after that you can apply a couple more layers. The colors used will be of particular importance - the best transition will come out between shades that are similar to each other, as well as tones of a single color scheme.
- In order to fix the manicure, you can actively use a special colorless coating.
- The consumption of varnish for some types of manicure with a gradient can be significant, in order to avoid significant losses, it is better not to choose too loose sponges for work.
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- The secret of a quality gradient is the right technique and the best combination of colors. This nail design will be a very creative addition to any fashion look and will give your pens a well-groomed and dignified look.
- If you love rhinestones, stickers, ornaments, here you will also have where to apply your imagination - all these elements fit perfectly into the gradient design. Instead of a base with a glossy effect, you can use a matte finish - suddenly you like it better.
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For information on how to make the perfect gradient on your nails, see the next video.