Subscribe & Save

 

to Art Gallery Archives

 

 "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 businesses.

 

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 snail mail to: Nailpro, 7628 Densmore Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406, Attn.: "Art Gallery." Don't forget to include your name, address and phone number!

 

Starstruck

 

For this Fourth of July, create Independence Day nails that sizzle.

 

By Pam Minch

 

 

There is nothing like a warm Fourth of July evening: The drone of crickets competing with the loud boom of colorful fireworks bursting overhead while we celebrate our country’s independence with friends and family. But before the fun of family barbecues and friend-filled parties begins, remember to offer your clients nail art that’s worthy of fanfare.

Seasoned nail artist Audrey Watabe sets off an explosion of red, white and blue with four designs that will kick off your clients’ midsummer with a bang. Stars are a recurring element in Watabe’s nail art, and she shares a new cutout technique that will spark your own creativity.

Whether your clients are picnicking, baking apple pies or lighting sparklers for their children, they’ll look hotter than the sky on the Fourth of July with this month’s Art Gallery designs.

 

Brush Up
You can make cute cutouts for nails using colored glitter glue. Purchase glitter glue from a craft store and spread a thin layer on a plastic bag. Once the glue has completely dried, peel off the plastic and use hole punches to cut out shapes. Glue the shapes onto clients’ nails and finish with top coat.
   
A New York Fourth
1 Using pearly blue, white and red polishes, marbleize the entire nail. (Make sure the blue is on the right side of the nail.)
2 On the left side of the nail, paint a cityscape silhouette with black paint. Add yellow accents to create windows.
3 Apply two rows of crystal rhinestones to the nail.

Nail Design: Pam Minch

 

Average Time: 5 minutes per nail
Suggested Price: $5 per nail
 
Starburst
1 Using shimmery white, pearl white and pearl blue polishes, marbleize the entire nail. Using glittery dark blue polish, add a thin French line at the nail’s tip.
2 Using a star-shape hole punch, cut out stars from color glitter glue (see Brush Up) or acrylic. Apply two glittery blue stars and one red star near the corner of the nail.
3 Add a red rhinestone to the corner of the nail. With silver bullion, create lines from the stars to the red rhinestone in the corner. Finish with top coat.
Option Drill a hole near the tip of the nail and add a large star charm to dangle off the nail.

Nail Design: Pam Minch

 

Average Time: 5 minutes per nail
Suggested Price: $5 per nail
     
America the Beautiful
1 Polish the nail white. Paint three red stripes on the nail and a thick dark blue stripe overlapping one corner.
2 Paint tiny white stars on the blue area. Add a thin line of silver glitter to separate the flag from the white portion of the nail.
3 Paint the word “America” in black.
4 Add two tiny star confetti pieces to each end of the word. Finish with top coat

Nail Design: Pam Minch

 

Average Time: 5 minutes per nail
Suggested Price: $5 per nail

 
 
Glisten Up
1 Polish the entire nail with silver iridescent polish.
2 Using a flat brush, add a strip of red down one side of the nail, and a strip of turquoise down the other side.
3 Glue four iridescent rhinestones at the bottom of the blue side and four stones at the top of the red side. Finish with top coat.

Nail Design: Pam Minch

 

Average Time: 3 minutes per nail
Suggested Price: $3 per nail
 

Pam Minch specializes in nail art at Elysium Day Spa in Parker, CO. Her art has been featured in Sports Illustrated and several other publications. She has been a top nail art competitor, a competition judge and an educator for a major manufacturer.