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Art Gallery showcases the nail art of some of the best artists in the industry. Every month, the column features four to six nail art designs created by one or more of our readers with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions. The nail art usually follows a theme for an upcoming holiday or season and depicts that theme in creative, easy to replicate designs. The column also provides promotional tips to help readers make the most of their nail art business.
Nailpro is actively seeking nail art submissions, so send in your best examples today. If your art is chosen, we'll pay you $25 per nail and you'll be featured in an upcoming issue. Package nails securely, using bubble wrap, a padded box or cotton, and send by snailmail to: Nailpro, 7628 Densmore Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406, Attn.: Art Gallery. Don't forget to include your name, address and phone number! |
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Rainbow Delights
You’ll find a pot of gold at the end
of these updated St. Paddy’s Day designs.
By Sheryl Macauley
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 Because our industry transforms at a rapid rate, we need to constantly think of ways to keep our business shining. Our clients’ needs change daily, and new products and research give us the tools to meet these needs. Unfortunately, many nail techs remain in ruts and believe what they offered their clients 10 years ago is satisfactory even today. If burnout has set in, this could possibly be the case with some of you.
Fear not!—for there is a pot of gold at the end of this business rainbow. And no leprechaun guards it; it’s literally up for grabs! Obtaining this treasure—ongoing education—all depends on you. Take a class, learn a new technique or take a weekend to work on new and interesting nail art ideas. Not too long ago I was in need of updating my nail art board just to keep my clients interested and my artistic hunger fed. Whatever avenue you choose, reevaluating your business on a regular basis can be just what you need to keep it on track. So don’t hide behind any excuses (the leprechaun ate my nail art board!) and find that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Speaking of which, St. Patrick’s Day is upon us. Here are a few examples of putting a new, exciting twist on a favorite holiday!
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Rainbow French |
 Step 1
Polish the entire nail a sheer pink. Allow it to dry. Starting at the smile line, use bright pink paint to create a thick, curved smile line.
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 Step 2
Just below the pink smile line, paint a rainbow of overlapping curved lines using pastel orange, yellow, green and blue paints, extending it out to the tip. Make sure to lightly blend the colors for a slightly faded look. Allow the design to dry.
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 Step 3
Using green paint, create a three-leaf clover. Allow it to dry and apply top coat.
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Average Time: 5 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $3 per nail. |
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Pot of Gold |
 Step 1
Polish the entire nail lime green and allow it to dry. Using black paint, create a pot near the tip of the nail.
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 Step 2
Paint an arcing rainbow from the sidewall of the nail to the top of the black pot. Allow it to dry.
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 Step 3
Using gold glitter polish, add gold to the pot, overlapping the rainbow and part of the pot. Add a few gold dots for falling gold. Allow the design to dry and apply top coat.
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Average Time: 5 to 10 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $3 to $5 per nail. |
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Gold Clover Rainbow |
 Step 1
Polish the entire nail light pink and allow it to dry. Using pastel colors, paint a vertical rainbow down the side of the nail. Allow the design to dry.
Step 2.
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 Step 2
Paint a gold three-leaf clover at the base of the rainbow (should be slightly off-center), allowing it to overlap the rainbow. Allow the design to dry and apply top coat.
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Average Time: 5 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $3 per nail. |
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Bright Rainbow Clover |
 Step 1
Apply base coat to the nail and allow it to dry. Using bright red paint and starting at the cuticle area, create a diagonal line. Fill in the space next to the cuticle with red and allow it to dry.
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 Step 2
Using the red stripe as a guideline, paint orange, yellow and blue thick diagonal stripes, with blue ending at the tip. Allow for some drying time between each stripe.
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 Step 3
Using green, paint a three-leaf clover on top of the blue portion of the nail, at the corner of the tip.
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 Step 4
Add highlights to the clover leaves using light green. Allow the design to dry and apply top coat.
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Average Time: 5 minutes per nail.
Suggested Price: $3 per nail. |
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Brush Up
Recreating objects from nature can be both challenging and rewarding. Most of us have witnessed naturally occurring rainbows and clovers; if we haven’t, we’ve probably seen a picture. Duplicating what is seen through your eye is one way of creating works of art. Taking nature and changing it slightly can be just as rewarding. Pastel rainbows and gold clovers may not be as nature intended them, but it’s the little changes that we can do as artists that make art fun! |
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Sheryl Macauley is a nail artist, educator, author and owner of the Bakersfield, California-based Spaz Nail Art Systems, and a Nailpro contributing editor. |
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