Animal Instinct

During the dog days of summer, offer clients nail art with animal magnetism.

 

By Pam Minch

 

 

Amid hordes of vacationers, rowdy summer camp groups and spatula-wielding barbecue enthusiasts, it’s a zoo out there this summer! So why not add a little animal attraction to your clients’ nails? This month’s Art Gallery offers designs to make your clients feel like queens of the jungle—even if they don’t venture beyond the air-conditioned confines of their homes.

If your passion is 3-D art, you’ll love to try your hand at some fun African safari designs. I’ve outlined the steps for the giraffe sculpted by Lyndsay Bialecki from North Fort Myers, Florida; you can also find inspiration in the photos of her other 3-D animal creations, below. Another idea you can monkey around with is a gecko design created by Olivia Nelmes from Beacon Falls, Connecticut.

Of course, creatures that are less exotic yet just as beautiful can also inspire fabulous nail art. Two birds of a feather flock together to offer a couple of colorful options for clients: a yellow parrot design created by Karina Bresnahan from Greenfield, Massachusetts, and its feathered friend—a graceful swan developed by Victoria Allen from Ontario, Canada.

 

Brush Up

When sculpting with color acrylic, experiment with texture. The animals shown in this Art Gallery can be enhanced with different sculpting tools. Use a tiny sponge to create a furry feel, or add veins on leaves with a toothpick. You can also apply both glossy and matte top coats on the same nail to add dimension.