The Making of the April 2018 Cover

april-cover

Featuring a combination of encapsulated and three-dimensional designs, coupled with the juxtaposition of matte and glossy finishes, the nails on this month’s cover reflect techniques that are trending in Mexico and Central America right now. To create the contrast, Mia Secret international master educator Blanca Martinez
(@blancamartinezzzz) sculpted narrow square nails, and then added a pastel watercolor background. When Martinez is working in the salon, she keeps client functionality top-of-mind, so for the cover nail designs, she chose to embed most of the 3-D elements (roses and a unicorn), because inlaid designs are less likely to get caught on hair or clothing. To complete the look, she topped the set with plenty of rhinestones.

Follow the steps below to recreate the look:

april-pastel-1

1. Martinez began by fitting a form and then extending the nail with white acrylic. Next, she created a watercolor effect by layering wet beads of pastel color acrylic across the nail.

april-pastel-2

2. Once set, she used small beads of pastel acrylic to sculpt roses down the length of the nail.

april-pastel-3

3. Next, Martinez encapsulated the entire design in clear acrylic. (Keep the 3-D design flush to the nail to avoid a bulky appearance.)

april-pastel-4

4. After shaping and filing the nail, Martinez removed the excess dust and applied gel top coat.

april-pastel-5

5. To create added dimension, she sculpted two more flowers and petals on the surface of the nail.

april-pastel-6

6. To finish, Martinez used resin to adhere rhinestone accents just above the flowers at the cuticle area.

For a more in-depth look at how Martinez created the nails, watch the video below.

What do you think of these pastel cover nails? Let us know in the comments below!

-Sigourney Nuñez

This article was first published in the April 2018 issue of NAILPRO

READ MORE:

How-To: Mia Secret Plastiline

More in How-to