Pigment for nails: how to choose and apply correctly?

Manicure designs in vibrant colors are one of the top trends this season. But no matter what variety of tones and shades the gel polish palette contains, you always want to add a unique touch. This can be done with nail pigment. It will give a matte sheen or, depending on the type of pigment, add amazing shimmer to the color.

A pigment is a powdery substance that is intended to impart color to a surface. It helps to change the original tone of the coating. It is used on acrylic, gel polish and shellac nails.

The big plus of this decor is the ability to create a design., suitable for absolutely any bow. It can be a modest business or minimalistic style, made in pastel colors, or a luxurious evening option in rich colors with glitter.

There are certain nuances of using pigment in combination with different bases. When nails are extended with acrylic, this coloring pigment can be added to it in an amount of up to 50%, since the compositions have a similar structure and properties.

When working with gel polish, it is important to observe the exact proportions., because the pigment reduces the strength of this coating. You can add no more than 2% of such a dye to a colored gel, and no more than 5% to a transparent one.

This coloring material differs by type. Depending on the source of production, the pigment can be:

• natural;
• synthetic;
• metal.

The natural look is obtained by mixing different types of minerals. Synthetic coatings are made from both organic and inorganic sources. Metallic pigments are prepared by mixing different metals or their alloys.

Distinguish between these dyes and the tint effect. It can be: matte, pearlescent, shimmering, shining, shiny with tints. The choice of pigment is necessary depending on the type of design. For example, pearlescent dyes will create the smoothest and most effective transitions when using the ombre technique.

Stained glass design is no less unique and modern. By mixing a transparent base without a sticky effect and different tones of pigment, you can create a voluminous mini-stained glass window of any theme on the nail. This approach individualizes the decor and makes the design unique.

Any manicure must begin with nail treatment. First, the old coating is removed with a special liquid. Then the cuticle is removed, and the periungual pads are processed. The tip of the nail is given the desired shape, and the entire working surface is carefully polished with a buff. Residual dust must be removed from the plate before applying the base. In this case, a cotton pad and a degreaser are used.

The protective base can now be applied. Most often, a transparent version of gel polish is used. Next, the layer is dried under a UV lamp. Now the color is thinly applied and also dried. The lamp cures each coat in approximately two minutes.

You can move on to decorating. For this, a transparent gel polish and a thin brush for painting are taken, with which they create a pattern on a colored coating. Of course, it can be made on different topics and in any style.

Pigment of the desired color is collected on a brush and applied over the drawn lines. If it is necessary to take a different color, then wipe the villi of the brush on a polyester lint-free cloth. The application is carried out with the so-called hammering movements, which ensures the maximum density of the color scheme.

If the work is done by a beginner, then before changing the color, it is better to dry the previous element. But then you need to paint again with transparent varnish. At the end, a top coat is applied and the finished manicure is placed under the lamp.

It is also possible to mix the pigment with an acrylic base or transparent gel varnish.

In addition, we recommend using a separate container for each color. The mixing itself is carried out with a brush, since it allows you to evenly distribute the color particles.

Often, nail designers apply pigment to a dried color base. This helps to create the desired shade and shimmer. Here you need to remember that this material does not completely change the original tone, but only gives a shine of a different shade.

This technique can help bring out a metallic design or add a golden sheen to décor. An excellent option would be an ombre with smooth shading and smoothed transitions. Here it is necessary to make a reservation that the pigment looks best on dark colors. On pastel shades, transitions and shimmer stand out less.

A disposable eyeshadow sponge will help you apply the pigment correctly. Thanks to its texture, the composition fits snugly and neatly.When creating a color scheme on a moon manicure or jacket with a sponge, it is easier to outline the required bend.

The pigment can be combined with different design styles. The use of this mixture is suitable for bright girls who prefer to stand out and focus on their nails. Cost is also of great importance. Even when choosing expensive products, one or two bottles of gel polish or 10 packs of pigment can be purchased for the same price.

In addition, the process of mixing different pigment colors is much easier, and is available to any girl who does not have professional nail designer skills. For example, a jacket with an ombre effect for long nails, combined with a moon design, is difficult to paint with gel polish. And when using pigment and sponge, the task is greatly simplified. And also creating a colored jacket, I want to emphasize the color of the tip as much as possible. Pigment can easily cope with this task.

With some skill in drawing patterns with a brush, it is easy to create a volumetric drawing. A pigment can be used to highlight the shine of one of the tones, the depth of the color, or the transitions between shades. Such decor will help to show your individuality.

In any case, the use of this composition when creating a manicure will significantly reduce the cost of decor and give the opportunity to frequently change the design, experimenting with color solutions.

For pigments and how to use them, see the video.