Airbrush on nails - manicure 2021: features, photos

What is airbrush nails

Airbrushing is the process of coating and painting nails with paints using an airbrush tool that delivers pigment under air pressure.

The process is also called aerial writing. In general, airbrushing on nails consists of designs and backgrounds made with paints using the fine spraying technique.

An airbrush consists of a compressor and a handle connected by a hose. The compressor pumps air under pressure into the handle. The handle contains a nozzle and a paint reservoir. The nozzle consists of two parts - material, for the material, and air.

The material nozzle comes in different sizes and varies from 0.15 to 0.2 mm to work with nail designs. Paint is supplied to the nozzle only when the handle is pressed. In the inactive position, the nozzle is closed from the inside by the needle, and paint cannot flow out of it.

There are two types of airbrushes for nails - simple and double action.:

• Simple - Allows you to control the flow of paint, but not the air flow. The tool is more suitable for working with stencils and creating three-dimensional drawings and graphic designs.
• Double-acting - They differ from simple ones by the presence of a valve that regulates the air flow. Thanks to this, the master has the opportunity to accurately draw the smallest details by hand. It can change the thickness or clarity of a drawing's edges, lines, and strokes.

Typically, an airbrush comes complete with cleaning brushes and a pipette for collecting paint. You can purchase more extended sets, with solvents and liquids for cleaning the device.

Airbrush in nail design: how to choose and use

Airbrushing can also be done with liquid coloring aerosols, where the pigment is in disposable or reusable containers.

Airbrushing differs from other types of design in the speed and ease of creating multi-color backgrounds and neat gradient transitions.

It significantly reduces the time spent by the craftsman on such manual processes and makes it possible to experiment with combinations of shades and quick stencil designs even at home.

Airbrush and its implementation in manicure

Nail designs are created using a special tool - an airbrush. In appearance, it resembles a familiar ballpoint pen, additionally equipped with a small container for varnish and a hose. At first glance, it is a simple device, but hidden under the body is a complex mechanism that allows you to spray varnish under pressure.

Airbrush - a device for creating a fashionable manicure

Initially, airbrushes were used for industrial purposes to uniformly paint large areas. This technology began to be used in nail art relatively recently. The main advantage of airbrushing is natural and smooth transitions on the nails. Take a look at the photo - airbrushed fingers look simply gorgeous, and a similar effect is almost impossible to achieve using any other method known today.

The secret to a perfect manicure is a special tool that allows you to spray the coloring matter neatly and evenly. In addition, masters use stencils with which you can create any design, from the simplest to the most complex and masterly.

Interesting! A stunning effect can be achieved by combining airbrushing on your nails with other manicure techniques.

Using an airbrush requires special skills from the master. The future design is thought out in advance, otherwise there is a high risk that time and paint will be wasted.

Interesting : Light manicure 2019

Materials for airbrush nails

You can use an airbrush to create a whole range of nail designs: ombre or gradient, graphic designs, artistic painting with stickers and stencils, which are sold separately for working with the airbrush.

Airbrushing is performed on a completely finished varnish coating.

To design using this technique you will need the following set:

• Airbrush
• Airbrush paint set
• Pipette for collecting paint
• Stickers, stencils for drawing pictures
• Protective stickers for the skin around the nail (optional)
• Training tips
• Tweezers
• Acid-free primer
• Glossy and matte top
• Buff for natural nails
• Cleaner for removing sticky layer
• Airbrush cleaner, with brush

Airbrush paint is sold ready to use; 2-3 drops of color are needed to cover one hand.

Acrylic based paints are recommended. Popular manufacturers of acrylic paints for airbrush are Premium or Fluo. They can be purchased in specialized stores online or offline.

Airbrush paints on nails

When working with an airbrush, it is best to use special paints. Airbrush paints on nails are sold both individually and in sets. There are several types of paints:

1. Basic - applied to the substrate, creating the main background of the nail plate, used in ombre, for working with fabrics and prepared designs.
2. Neon is a paint based on a phosphorescent pigment that charges under the influence of sunlight and begins to glow when it gets dark. For color stability, before applying paint, it is recommended to add a few drops of the base palette.
3. Nude (see examples of photos of nude manicure) are the paints closest to natural colors. In the palette you can find rich colors of lime, mint or warm tones of cocoa and marsala. They are opaque, thanks to this it is possible to apply the shade to any other layer of paint.
4. Mother-of-pearl – give the manicure a special look, thanks to the shimmer in the sun’s rays, the nails seem covered with fairy pollen.

When choosing paint, you should look at the grains and thickness of the substance. Good paint should be as thick as low-fat kefir, without grains or other unknown particles.

Low-quality paint liquids sometimes contain large particles that can clog the nozzle, after which the airbrush may spit or break.

The main components of the dye for airbrushing are: adhesive additives and water-based acrylic paints. Thanks to the additives, adhesion to the surface of the nail plate is enhanced, and a beautiful airbrush manicure lasts longer on the nails.

The price category of one bottle of paint varies from 100 to 200 rubles. The price depends on the manufacturer and the type of paint itself. In addition to special paints, you can use gel polishes, but before use they should be diluted with a special solution, bringing them to a more liquid state.

Airbrush design using stencils

A simple airbrush is designed for working with stencils.

Before applying the drawing, it is recommended to immediately think through the entire composition. This will reduce work time and you won’t have to redo it if you don’t like something during the process. You can make one nail on training tips to further focus on it. This is especially true when practicing first designs or mastering a new composition by masters.

When planning a design, one or more stencils are selected, the necessary paints are mixed or selected, the airbrush is adjusted and the paint supply distance of the tool is tested. It is convenient to do this on a napkin, a sheet of paper, or even a glove on your second hand if you are a salon master. The paint can then be washed off with water or a cleaner.

Airbrush stencils are made of flexible, elastic film. It sticks securely to the surface of the nail, gripping the side parts well. To ensure maximum adhesion, additionally go over the sides with an orange stick. This will prevent paint from bleeding into the cuticle area.

Stencils have clear and even edges thanks to high-precision cutting in production. The drawings are obtained without streaks or smudges, and are often indistinguishable from artistic painting.

The second type of stencils is applied. With their help, abstract drawings are created that do not require clear lines in execution. Such stencils are applied to the nails from above and then the pigment is sprayed with an airbrush.

Airbrush manicure with stencil 2021 photo options

An important component in creating a designer manicure in the airbrush style is a variety of stencils made of durable film and attached to an adhesive base. They differ not only in shape and size, but also in the degree of transparency. These can be stencils: opaque; translucent; transparent.

Important: thanks to a special adhesive base, the stencil is easily separated from the paper base and pasted onto the nail, and then just as easily removed after applying the design, without damaging the varnish base and leaving no marks on it. Self-adhesive stencils for airbrush nails are produced in sets containing many thematic patterns.

You just need to cut out the desired piece from the sheet with a sharp knife or scissors, and then stick it on the nail. For the simplest drawings, it is enough to use only one stencil, but if you want to get a real masterpiece with many shades, you cannot do without sequential application of several stencils.

Preparing nails and cuticles for airbrushing

This stage is short but important. It consists of pre-treating the cuticle with a protective agent or cream, especially if the client has dry, sensitive skin. After airbrushing, the pigment is easily washed off with water or a cleanser containing alcohol or acetone, but with dry skin this can further dry out the cuticle area.

You can purchase protective cuticle stickers. They are attached around the nail to the skin, and after airbrushing they are disposed of. The stickers can be used on the second hand after processing the first; the sticky layer is enough for re-fixation.

Airbrushing is performed on a completely finished varnish coating. If it is gel polish, then the nails are painted in two layers. Then there are two possible surface treatment options, depending on whether you are using a topcoat with a matte or glossy surface.

When covering the gel polish with a matte top coat, the sticky layer is removed from it and then the design is made with an airbrush.

If you are using a glossy topcoat, then after removing the sticky layer you need to use a buff to slightly remove the shine in the area of ​​further airbrush treatment. This way the paint will adhere much more firmly and the manicure will last longer.

It is important to buff the tips and sides of the nails so that the paint adheres well to these areas. After applying the design, the tips and surface are sealed with topcoat.

Step-by-step instructions for working with an airbrush using the example of a two-color ombre

Using the example of the classic and most popular ombre design, we will consider step by step the features of working with the device. To prepare the airbrush, just plug it in, adjust the nozzle diameter and air flow intensity, and then fill in the desired paint. You will need a pipette and 2-3 drops of gray pigment. The intensity of the shade can be changed by diluting the pigment with a solvent for acrylic paints.

1. Apply two layers of pink or beige gel polish, dry each in a lamp.
2. We cover the nails with a matte top coat and dry them in a lamp.
3. Remove the sticky layer from the top.
4. Refilling the airbrush
5. Testing the paint flow intensity and measuring the spray distance
6. Using a pendulum swinging motion, spray the paint onto each nail in a very thin layer, increasing the intensity of the color through layering.
7. Let the paint dry completely for another minute and apply top coat to your nails.
8. Remove the sticky layer and the design is ready.

Experienced masters recommend applying the paint so that it lays on the nails in an almost dry layer, or “dries while still in the air.” When applying paint, it should not be visible in the air; only the intensity of the color on the sprayed background should change. It is better to work in more thin layers than to apply a lot of paint at once and end up with streaks and smudges.

Gradient manicure ideas

Manicure ideas - airbrush

Stylish and attractive manicure, airbrushing, can be performed in various ways. It looks great in various color combinations, however, not all of them are suitable for everyday life. So, with the help of an airbrush you can create both a discreet and laconic manicure, and a bright and catchy nail art that attracts attention. In addition, manicurists actively combine the use of an airbrush with other methods of decorating nail plates, obtaining interesting and original ideas for all occasions.

Airbrush on nails - French

French manicure, airbrush is a vertical transition of color from the edge of the nail to its base with an accented smile line. Although modern manicure art does not imply a perfectly smooth edge, when creating such nail art, masters strive to bring the design as close as possible to the classic French manicure.

For this reason, in most cases, French airbrush uses white and transparent varnishes, which complement each other, creating a very interesting and original decor that is suitable even for a young bride. This type of design goes well with rhinestones or charming designs in the form of delicate twigs or flowers. When creating the image of a newlywed, this type of nail art can be complemented with charming feminine lace.

In addition, special stencils can be used to apply a French manicure, separating a perfectly straight smile line. In some cases, it is made relatively wide in order to be able to fill this area not with a single-color coating, but with a smooth color transition.

Delicate manicure with airbrushing

Bright and catchy nail art is not always appropriate. For business life or a romantic date, an airbrush manicure in delicate colors is perfect, which can have almost any design. So, the combination of white and pink, the transition from soft blue to lilac, the combination of light yellow and gray and other numerous options, if necessary, supplemented with thematic designs, monograms or three-dimensional elements, look very good.

Airbrush on nails - space

Using an airbrush, nail plates can be decorated in a huge number of different ways. Including, this method is often used to paint the cosmic sky and other space-themed patterns on the nails. As a rule, to create such images, dark blue and purple tones are used, complemented by a lot of shimmering sparkles. Space manicure, airbrushing on nails looks great and will not leave its owner unnoticed.

Matte manicure - airbrush

A beautiful and trendy manicure, airbrushing on nails 2021 can have both a glossy and matte surface. The latter looks very interesting and attractive, however, it has a significant drawback - any dirt appears on it very quickly, which gives your hands a sloppy appearance. To avoid this, experts advise young ladies to give preference to darker color shades and be prepared for the fact that the manicure will have to be redone in 10-14 days.

Red manicure - airbrush

Bright people who want to stand out from the crowd and emphasize their individuality prefer red shades. Airbrushing on nails, red and white, looks very interesting, however, this color scheme can be successfully combined with pink, burgundy, lilac, black and other colors.

In addition, airbrushing on nails, made in various shades of red, can be complemented with sparkles, which will make it as attractive and solemn as possible. In all cases, when choosing this type of nail art, it is recommended to observe moderation in clothing and accessories, since the main emphasis of the fashionable image will be focused on the hands.

Black manicure - airbrush

A black manicure is considered universal, although some young ladies consider it somewhat gloomy. Meanwhile, the airbrush effect on nails using light shades adds freshness and sophistication to this type of nail art, making it suitable for any occasion. The use of golden or red shades in such a design gives the entire image of a beautiful lady a luxurious and elegant appearance, which is why such options are overwhelmingly used at evening and special events.

Airbrush on nails with stripes

A beautiful airbrush manicure can be created from many multi-colored stripes that slightly touch each other, but do not have clear boundaries. There are many interesting designs you can apply to your claws using this method, but the most popular variation is the rainbow. Rainbow airbrushing on nails is almost always done vertically, or horizontally, but from finger to finger. Since the standard width of the nail plate does not allow seven different color shades to be depicted at once, a horizontal gradient in this case is applied extremely rarely.

Airbrush on nails with holes

One of the main trends of the coming season has become lunar nail art, so airbrushing on nails 2021 is often combined with highlighting the nail holes with a different color or coating texture. The shape of the hole in this case can be almost any - not only the classic semicircular, but also triangular, square, heart-shaped or fancy. Lunar nail art is performed both with negative space in the base area and with multi-colored transitions that extend along the entire surface of the nail.

Manicure-airbrush with a pattern

Bright and stylish nail design, airbrushing, allows the use of various designs on floral, animalistic, oriental, space and other themes. Geometric designs, which are made using perfectly straight lines and clear shapes, are also very relevant. In some cases, airbrushing is done on all nails, with the exception of accent ones, and 2-3 fingers are decorated with bright designs.

Beautiful and original images can be applied with a brush or sponge, but perfectly smooth and neat pictures will be obtained if you use special stencils for airbrushing on nails. It should be remembered that the structure of the gel polish is such that it can flow under the stencil. Professional manicurists have sufficient experience, so their work turns out unusually beautiful, smooth and attractive. Meanwhile, at home, girls may remain dissatisfied with the results obtained.

Design ideas using airbrush technique

Ombre airbrush
The device is capable of creating miracles of artistic painting on nails. To master the instrument, craftsmen usually need 2-3 days of work. They can make drawings in various techniques. The most popular and in demand:

• Ombre
• French
• Lunar
• Graphic transitions
• Flowers
• Small thematic images from templates

Useful tips

It is better to entrust airbrushing on nails to a professional master in a salon; if you do it yourself at home, the quality of the work will not allow you to wear a manicure for a long time.

Recommendations:

Before applying a drawing, it is important to think through the entire composition in advance; this will reduce work time and avoid mistakes.

French

Airbrush French
The same clear lines of French, only made with sticky flats and gradient spraying, give new life to classic French design. It is better to perform on long nails in order to cross the strips several times. A half-tone of gray has been added to the white color, which creates an unusual play of shades at the junction of lines.

Another popular version of the French style, when a gradient is used for the background, and the tips themselves are painted over the fixed ombre effect. Use rich contrasting shades instead of black to experiment with this design with different outfits. Add rhinestones to your ring fingers to create a festive mood.

Design options for a French jacket - a selection of ideas

Airbrush nail designs

A manicurist, using a special tool and stencils, will be able to create any designs, patterns, overflows and even portraits.

Beautiful manicure using airbrush

In the hands of a true specialist, each nail becomes a true work of art. Practice a little - and soon you will be able to draw pictures of varying complexity yourself. A festive manicure can be done by combining airbrushing, rhinestones and glitter.

There are a large number of options for performing a manicure using an airbrush - the only limitations can be the professionalism of the master and the imagination of the client.

The most interesting ideas for airbrush manicure

Making each nail a fragment of one single picture is painstaking work, but the effect exceeds even the wildest expectations.

Narrative airbrushing is quite difficult to perform; it requires the use of several types of stencils and the application of shades of paint in several layers, as shown in the video tutorial:

, made in soft pink tones, looks very romantic and gentle.

fuchsia shade look simple but tasteful .

If you like to surprise and shine, opt for clear lines, contrasting colors and abstract patterns .

For special occasions, you can use rhinestones and glitter - they will help create a shining manicure, which will become an important component of the festive look.

A strict, laconic manicure decorated with rhinestones can be easily and quickly done using an airbrush and will undoubtedly decorate your nails. This can also be done using a simple stencil:

Graphic arts

The combination of different graphic stickers in one design gives an original three-dimensional effect. Combine two or three colors to highlight the play of lines. Before performing, try to make a design on tips to get symmetrical designs on all nails.

Geometry on nails - the best ideas for improvisation

Flowers

Flowers and artistic paintings receive special attention from fashionistas in the spring-summer season. You can make this design with an airbrush in half an hour. Abstract lines are made using one stencil, secured, and then a second layer is created with butterflies. The base is a colored French coat using green, pink and orange varnish.

Painting on nails: materials, step-by-step instructions, design ideas

Step-by-step drawing technology

For airbrushing you will need the following tools and materials:

Set of tools and materials for airbrushing

• airbrush with compressor;
• a set of paints of different tones;
• training tips;
• sharp tweezers;
• stencils;
• a piece of glass or a special mat for cutting stencils.

Nails need to be prepared accordingly: get a manicure and apply paint (varnish) of the background color.

Airbrushing is done in several stages.

1. Templates and colored paints are prepared (the paint for applying the pattern should have the consistency of liquid sour cream).


The process of performing a manicure with an airbrush

2. Using a thoroughly washed and properly filled airbrush, paint is applied to the nails .
3. The drawing is adjusted and decorated if necessary.

The final stage of work is coating the nails with a fixing agent : it will extend the life of the manicure.

Airbrushing without an airbrush is another name for the “airbrush effect” technique. It is performed without the use of an airbrush: thanks to stencils, you can apply paint quite accurately and accurately. The main thing is to properly prepare it for use - dilute it to the desired consistency. You can use colored varnish.

The easiest way to perform a gradient manicure is with an airbrush. In this technique, color stretching is very smooth and beautiful. How this manicure is performed is shown in the master class:

Combination of stencil designs

In one composition you can combine several stencil options: mesh, butterflies, flowers and ornate lines. When you have the time and desire to create, experiment with existing templates. Combining designs involves working on long nails to accommodate several different elements.

Wedding design

Using an airbrush, you can create delicate romantic nail designs in white and pink tones. All that remains is to complement them with festive decor - sand, rhinestones, sparkles, stucco. A big plus is the ability to evenly spray pigment on large, rough surfaces, where a sponge does not allow for such gradient transitions.

Wedding manicure ideas 2021 - from classic to avant-garde

Working with an airbrush

Airbrushing is a real fashion trend of 2021, because with the help of this technique you can realize any, even the most daring and original ideas. To create the desired pattern, the master needs to acquire the following items:

• an airbrush equipped with a compressor;
• special paints;
• tips;
• rubber gloves;
• various stencils;
• paper napkins, cotton swabs.

Starter kit for airbrush nails

Creating a manicure in this way is a fairly simple task, but for beginners it may seem simply impossible. After all, the final result largely depends on the skills of the master and the amount of practice. It is impossible to master the airbrush technique in one go, but you should start with simple drawings.

Simple drawings using a stencil

The main stages of working with an airbrush:

• Apply base to nails and dry.
• Using an airbrush, spray paint with a base shade. For light patterns, choose dark colors, and vice versa.
• After the base coat has dried well, you can begin applying the pattern using a stencil.
• To improve the effect, you can outline the pattern with a brush and complement the design with sparkles and rhinestones.
• The final stage is a fixative.

Interesting! Despite the fact that the procedure itself is carried out quite quickly, a novice master will have to spend a lot of time on practical training.

Interesting : Youth manicure 2019

Play of textures: velvet sand design

For short nails, an original solution would be not only a combination of shades, but also working with different textures. It can be acrylic powder, velvet sand, sprinkle beads, melange, flock. Spraying a second color additionally emphasizes the volume of the texture used, attracts attention and allows you to create bright, original designs. Take the idea and try it in the next image.

For a practicing craftsman, having an airbrush becomes simply a necessity among demanding and creative clients. If you need to save time and get new, enthusiastic recommendations, add it to your arsenal of tools. It will take several days to master the technique, and then working with it will turn into a complete pleasure. Which ideas will you try first? Share with us in the comments.

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