French manicure

Girls who are used to attracting the attention of people around them will certainly enjoy decorative nail sculpting. Depending on the specific design, you can create a manicure in different moods - from casual and relaxed to strict or romantic.

Reborn like a phoenix from the ashes

Richly decorated nails came into fashion several years ago, when masters actively increased the length and decorated it with voluminous flowers. Then the trend faded a bit. But only to now be reborn with new strength.

The trend for 2021 is maximum naturalness and realism. If these are buds, then they should really look like real ones. And fish or birds can create the feeling that they are about to evade.

Two sides of the coin

Like any other technique, volumetric decor has its advantages and disadvantages. The main thing that girls all over the world love him for is his spectacular appearance and attractive design. There are a lot of options for what exactly you can do on your nails.

In addition, modern manufacturers produce varnishes in different colors. Among the popular ideas are those that are suitable for everyday wear. They are easy to combine with dresses, trouser suits, and skirts.

A gentle option for every day

The second important advantage is resistance to mechanical damage. The coating is not susceptible to cleaning or washing, because the molding is usually coated with a transparent polymer.

However, there are also disadvantages:

One manicure session takes a lot of time. It takes from 2 to 4 hours to create a unique nail art, depending on the qualifications and experience of the artist. And for self-taught beginners it will take even longer.
Uncomfortable to wear. Bulk parts cling to clothes and get in the way when doing household work.
Weighting of nails. The manicure both looks and feels thicker and more massive compared to classic nail art;
Risk of allergies. Some materials can damage the nail plate.

Another drawback is the high price. For one session in a beauty salon you can pay twice as much as for a regular plain coating with a design.

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Understanding the ingredients

Typically, craftsmen in beauty salons use several materials to create sculpting:

3D gels that have a dense texture. Thanks to this consistency, it is easy for the master to form the desired element. The best part is that it is easy to work with even for a beginner - you can make all the simple shapes. However, for a complex ornament you will have to choose something else. After finishing the session in the salon, this material must be covered with a top coat.
4D components allow you to experiment for a long time and bring the decor to perfection. In liquid form, the paste has a very plastic texture and resembles jelly. The composition is shiny, but after hardening the surface becomes matte. The peculiarity of this material is its drying technology - a special lamp with ultraviolet radiation is required. Although drying takes a little longer, it does not require a topcoat.
Sculpting gel is suitable for creating small accent elements. Does not require topcoat.
Acrylic powder, which is then mixed with a special liquid. Together they form pliable plasticine, which is not applied to the nail, but is manually shaped into the desired element.

It is best to check with the specialist before the session in the beauty salon which component will be used. After all, there is always a risk of intoxication or allergies.

Features of the gel

Gel modeling is rapidly gaining popularity. However, the main mistake that a beginning self-taught craftswoman makes is trying to sculpt something using ordinary varnish. For such purposes, a special, thicker composition is required.

Experts distinguish two types of this material:

3D gel, very plastic and pliable.
4D gel, more difficult to use.

The composition remains the most accessible. It is allowed for all girls, regardless of the condition of the body. Even pregnant women can use it to create ornaments - it is so safe.

Many girls cannot decide what to buy first - gel or acrylic. You should know that creating decor from the first component will take much more time, because each layer will have to be dried in a UV lamp.

In addition, the material is difficult to remove. First, it will take a long time to cut down the stucco molding, then remove the dust resulting from the cut. And only then will it be possible to remove the plain shellac coating using the usual method.

This is what experienced fashionistas recommend: since the process of working with gel is long and complicated, it is better to entrust the first procedures to an experienced master.

It is worth observing his actions, remembering the algorithm of actions and only after a couple of procedures begin to master sculpting on your own.

Timeless classic

Acrylic has recently enjoyed wild popularity, because with the help of this composition you can realize any ideas. There is transparent, translucent, single-color powder - in a variety of shades. To create beautiful ornaments, the master combines powder and liquid - a transparent monomer liquid that makes the powder harder.

It is customary to divide all acrylic into two groups:

Aquarium modeling. First, the master creates the details of the pattern, places them on the nail, and then covers the plate with a transparent fixing topcoat. As a result, the drawing turns out flat, as if hidden under transparent glass (the name comes from this analogy). The advantage of the method is obvious - the flat design looks impressive, but does not cause discomfort during everyday wear.
Volumetric modeling involves a clearer outline of the pattern as a whole and all the details separately. Volume is achieved due to the absence of a thick layer of transparent finish. Manicure is not entirely convenient in everyday life, but it looks very beautiful and attractive.

The composition is indicated for those girls who complain of brittle nails. Acrylic has a good effect on the surface of the plate, strengthens it, gives it a healthy look and shine. However, this same material should absolutely not be used by those who have any fungal disease: the composition will create a greenhouse effect, and the disease will develop even faster.

Materials necessary for volumetric modeling, their types, differences, advantages and disadvantages

Today, professionals use only two existing types of volumetric sculpting in manicure:

modeling with modeling acrylic powder;
modeling using a special gel composition.

Modeling with acrylic powder

Acrylic modeling is very popular. Powder can be transparent or translucent, in various colors and shades; some manufacturers add glitter to it. Such a wide palette allows you to create beautiful three-dimensional patterns on your nails.

Acrylic extension and sculpting is done by combining two materials: acrylic powder and liquid (monomer - a transparent liquid necessary for hardening of acrylic powder). The connection of these materials is carried out directly at the moment of building up or creating a three-dimensional pattern.

Acrylic modeling comes in 2 types:

Aquarium sculpting - when creating such a design, a finished three-dimensional acrylic element is placed on the nail, then the entire nail along with the design is filled with transparent gel. As a result, the pattern ends up inside the artificial nail. The advantage of aquarium sculpting is that the volumetric elements do not cling to clothing, which significantly increases the wear time of such a manicure. However, the thickness of the nail is very large, which for some may be a disadvantage.

Volumetric modeling - with this type of modeling, acrylic elements are not filled with gel, and therefore the clearest volume of the pattern is visible. A significant disadvantage is the inconvenience of manicure in everyday life, since protruding patterns very often cling to clothes and other household items. Nevertheless, this type of modeling is very popular.

Advantages of sculpting with acrylic powder

Modern acrylic contains the substance ethyl methacrylate. This substance does not harm the nail plate, but on the contrary, gives the nails a healthy appearance, making them stronger and more elastic.
Acrylic is practically unaffected by temperatures. Acrylic also does not disrupt the shape and natural appearance of the nail. The nail plate does not bend under acrylic.
Acrylic is easy to remove from the nail. You just need to dip your nail in a special liquid and it will easily dissolve. In this case, your own nail will not be damaged in any way.
Using acrylic you can create beautiful manicure designs.

Disadvantages of acrylic sculpting

Acrylic should absolutely not be used by people with various types of fungal diseases, since it creates a greenhouse effect on the nails and the disease will develop even faster from this;
It is not recommended to use acrylic for people with gastrointestinal diseases, as well as those suffering from diabetes and problems with the hormonal system;
People using medications and girls during menstruation should not use acrylic either.

Modeling using gel

Gel sculpting is a newer phenomenon than acrylic sculpting. Previously, gels were liquid, and with their help it was impossible to create three-dimensional patterns, because they spread. Now they have begun to produce thick gels that are specially designed for creating voluminous decorative designs.

Working with gel is much more difficult than working with acrylic. Each new layer of colored gel requires separate drying under a UV lamp, which makes the process longer and more expensive. This is the main feature and distinctive feature of sculpting using gel compositions.

There are 2 types of gel:

3D gel – has a dense and plastic consistency. With its help it is easy to create three-dimensional drawings. Often used in baguette modeling, as a frame for a pattern or picture.
4D gel - this gel has a very dense consistency, which is similar to hard sculptural plasticine or clay. Before starting work, such “plasticine” for nails is divided into small parts in the form of balls, and then the required pattern is cut out of it with a special metal tool. This gel sticks very strongly to your hands and tools, so when working with it you need to use a cleanser - a means to remove the sticky layer.

Advantages of gel sculpting

The gel does not contain harmful substances, therefore it is not contraindicated for use even by women during pregnancy;
The material is very elastic, which allows you to “sculpt” all kinds of decorative elements from it without much difficulty;
The gel has no unpleasant odor;
Does not harm nails at all and does not worsen their condition.

Disadvantages of gel sculpting

The gel is very difficult to remove. Doing this on your own at home is incredibly difficult. There are no special products or liquids to remove the gel;
The gel needs to be filed off. When cutting it down, a large amount of dust is formed, which can cause the development of allergies. It is necessary to remove the gel using special medical masks and in a well-ventilated area;
Decorative products made from gel do not have great strength, therefore they are very sensitive to impacts, as a result of which decorative patterns can be destroyed.

Using nail gel is quite difficult, so for the first time it is better to entrust the procedure to a professional, and after gaining a little visual experience, you can try to make simple compositions yourself, at home.

Preparatory stage

Some fashionistas still decide to bring beauty at home. Therefore, it is important to know what tools you will need.

It's best to have:

Two types of materials - acrylic and gel. Firstly, you can choose from them the one that is more convenient to work with. Secondly, two compositions of different textures will allow you to create more diverse elements.
Regular varnish, which will be used as a basis for further decoration. It will require the appropriate products - a base coat and a top finish.
Additional accessories that will complete the look - rhinestones, beads, shimmering powder, beads.

Don't forget about the tools. You will have to stock up on degreaser, nail polish remover (in case some part turns out wrong the first time), tampons, foil, brushes and dots. A lamp is useful for drying.

If you are about to have your first experience working with volume, most likely, all the necessary tools will not be available. Fortunately, some can be replaced with improvised means. For example, dots: a ballpoint pen or a hairpin with a round end will do instead.

Classic French technology

Making a classic French manicure with your own hands is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. Beginners and lovers of home manicures are most often let down by thick lines, a U-shaped smile and lack of symmetry, so if you want to try your hand at it, please be patient and have some free time, and we will advise you on the application technology.

Classic French gel polish

This is the optimal option in terms of durability, speed of execution and cost of materials.

Remove the old coating and treat your hands with disinfectant. Give the desired shape to the free edge of the nails; oval, almond-shaped and square will look best. Get a classic, European or hardware manicure. The main secret of the durability of the coating is high-quality and proper preparation of the nail plate. Using a special product, remove the grease layer, dust and other contaminants. If your hands are often wet, use a dehydrator. Apply a primer; it ensures strong adhesion of the material to the nail. Cover with a base, it evens out the surface and protects against pigment penetration. Dry in a UV lamp for 2 minutes or in an LED lamp for 30 seconds. The basis of a classic French manicure can be gel polish of pink, peach, light beige color with a dense or translucent texture. Apply it in one or two coats, sealing the ends. Cure for 2 minutes in UV or 30 seconds in LED lamp.

Zinger, Natural nail file, black, 180/240

Professional straight file for natural nails.

(59)

29 RUR

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In'Garden, Degreaser, 100 ml

Liquid for degreasing the nail plate and removing the sticky layer from gel and gel polish.

(41)

270 rub.

270 RUR Buy

Patrisa nail, Nail Prep Dehydrator, 16 ml

Liquid for preparing nails for manicure.

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270 rub.

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There are several ways to draw a smile line; we will focus on the three most common and simple ones.

The first method is suitable for those who have never made such a design on their own. When performing the work, we will use special strips for French manicure. Apply the base and dry it in the lamp, glue the stencils onto the nail. Important condition: on all nails the distance from the templates to the free edge must be the same. Cover the area with white gel polish and cure. The strips can be different in shape, with their help it is convenient to do not only the classic version of this design, but also a lunar manicure.
The second method involves using a thin brush. You can use the tool with both artificial and natural bristles. Place a drop of white gel polish on a piece of foil, dip a brush in it, and apply to the edge of the nail plate. Movements can go from the center to the edge or vice versa. When the desired result is achieved, dry the outline of the line in the lamp. The most difficult and delicate work is done, fill the remaining area with white. This can be done using a brush from a bottle of gel polish. Seal the end and cure. To make the transition from one shade to another more contrasting and clear, apply another layer and dry it in a lamp.
The third method is most often used by craftsmen; it is fast, but requires more skill. No additional tools are required, you only need a brush from the bottle. Dip it into gel polish and start drawing from the corners. To make your smile deep, press the side bolsters back. Fill the entire remaining surface with white in two layers. Don't forget to seal the ends and dry the coating in a UV or LED lamp.

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Round hair brush. Size No. 00

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Haruyama, Gel polish No. 001

Gel polish (8 ml) white, without pearl and glitter, dense.

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You can adjust the inner line of the French jacket using a brush with a flat surface, slightly moistened with remover. If gel polish gets on your skin or cuticles, remove it with an orange stick.

French express manicure with tips

What if you don't have a lamp, gel polishes and don't know how to draw at all? Don't be discouraged, there is a way to make a classic French manicure using, for example, false tips or art stickers.

Prepare your nails in the same way as for applying gel polish. Open the package and select the appropriate size tips; they should completely cover the free edge, fit tightly and leave no gaps in the corners. Apply a thin layer of glue to the strip and to the sides of the nail plate. Press the tip and hold for several minutes. Remove the case from it. To make the joint invisible, lightly sand the surface with a buff and cover with topcoat.

You can do a home French manicure in different ways, and it doesn’t matter which one you choose, in any case you will need the following materials and tools:

means and tools for preparation;
base and top;
camouflage gel polish for the base;
white gel paint or white gel polish for the smile line;
stencils or tips;
brush for drawing.

Masura, Rubber Base Basic nude, 11 ml

Rubber basecoat. Color: pinkish-flesh, without mother-of-pearl or sparkles, translucent.

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Cosmoprofi, Camouflage Base No. 1, 12 ml

Camouflage base coat, base for gel polish.

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Rubber camouflage base coat (9 ml). Color: milky, without mother-of-pearl or glitter, translucent.

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Using professional tools and products, learning how to do a beautiful French manicure is not difficult at all. With a little training you can achieve very impressive results.

Step-by-step master class

Armed with all the necessary tools, you can start creating nail art. If your nails are extended, the situation is simpler: you can immediately start creating a masterpiece. If your fingers are “naked”, you will have to pre-treat them - do a regular manicure with cuticle trimming, apply a transparent base and a plain varnish.

After the final stage - the finishing coat - it is necessary to remove the top sticky layer. Then you can start applying the 3D composition or acrylic.

Step by step procedure:

Dosom collects a small (bead-sized) amount of material and rolls it into a ball.
The bead is placed on the nail in the place where it should be located.
The center is pressed with a tool so that the drop does not slide out of the desired place.
The bead is dried well under an ultraviolet lamp.
All elements of the drawing are executed using this algorithm.
The result is decorated with shadows and small additions.

When the marigolds are completely ready, you can dry them under ultraviolet light.

If you are working with acrylic, the procedure is slightly different.

After preparing the surface, special glue is applied to the desired location. Then the tool takes a little acrylic, rolls the element into the desired shape and places it on the glue. When all the nail art is ready, all that remains is to apply the fixer.

When sculpting, it is important to monitor the speed of creating the decor. Applying too quickly can lead to sloppiness. By working slowly, you may not have time to dry the material and ruin the entire drawing.

Design options:

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Secrets from the pros

What newbie would not like to get advice from a professional with extensive experience?

Experienced masters shared several recommendations and lessons for beginners who are still learning the basics of manicure.

Here's what they advise:

Even before starting work, choose the appropriate shape and length of the nail plates. If this is your first experience with volumetric decor, you can first draw a sketch on paper - how and where exactly the details will be located.
At first, it is preferable to do nail art with gel, since it is easier to use, although it takes more time. You can then add individual elements from the innovative 4D component.
Each element must be dried and polymerized separately. Especially if the composition consists of several colors. If you first apply all the shades and only then put the nail under the lamp, the shades will mix with each other and the pattern will deteriorate.
Do not sculpt near the edge or cuticle. The more free space around the stucco, the stronger and more durable it is.

A very obvious rule, which for some reason many girls forget about, is to keep the tools and work surface clean.

For example, touching the brush with your fingers is strictly prohibited. If the bristles of the brush become greasy, the process will need to be stopped.

What is volumetric modeling and who is it suitable for?

So, nail sculpting is the creation of three-dimensional patterns using modeling acrylic powder or a special gel composition. With the help of these materials, the volumetric ornament you choose is literally molded as if from plasticine and gives the manicure a unique 3D and even 4D effect. Many girls choose flowers, fruits and even insects (butterflies, bugs, etc.) as patterns. This manicure is suitable for almost everyone, regardless of the shape and length of the nails, and can also be used on both your own and extended nails. Volumetric sculpting on nails is especially popular among brides, as well as among young girls as a summer manicure.