How-To: Christian Cowan Nail Looks from Paris Fashion Week

CND partnered with celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec to create fierce but still wearable day-to-day nails for the Christian Cowan SS24 Runway at Paris Fashion Week.

Recently, Nailpro shared that Kandalec (@julieknailsnyc) was chosen to be the lead nail artist for the Christian Cowan 2023 Paris Fashion Week show. With a portfolio that includes editorial spreads in major fashion magazines, brand collaborations and celebrity clientele, Kandalec is no stranger to the world of high fashion, leading shows for New York Fashion Week every season since 2009.

Kandalec shared her inspiration for creating the nail looks for the show, saying "The nails for Christian Cowan SS24 is a compilation of looks with varying minute details, including shifting smile line details, playing with velvet/glossy finishes and crystal adornments in a well-planned out way. We loved that the nail collection was cohesive, yet each of the seven looks we sent down the runway was different in its own way." 

Below, Kandalec shares a breakdown of how to create the nail looks scene on the runway. 

Julie Kandalec's nail team for Christian Cowan SS24 Runway in partnership with CND.Courtesy of CND x Dipo Koiki

Nail Prep: 

1. Apply a layer of CND PLEXIGEL Bonder and cure in the CND LED Lamp using preset button
2. Using CND Future Forms with CND PLEXIGEL Builder build medium to long stiletto nail architecture. Cure using button 2B. 
3. Clean with 99% IPA. 
4. Shape and refine the nail using a 180-grit file & buffer. 
5. Repeat step four.
6. Choose a CND Shellac shade: Powder My Nose, Satin Pajamas, Quartz Correct, Climb to the Top-az, Black Pool, Absolutely Radishing, or Steel Kisses. 

Lone Crystal Design 

1. Using the brush in the bottle, polish the nail bed with two layers of a CND Shellac in an exaggerated oval shape. Cure each layer using present button 2S.
2. Outline the free edge and the smile line of the nail with CND Shellac in Cream Puff for a crisp look, leaving the center of the tip entirely clear, and cure on present button 2S.
3. Using CND PLEXIGEL Builder, adorn the top-center of the nail with a single round crystal, and cure on present button 2B. 
4. Apply a layer of CND Shellac No Wipe+ Top Coat to seal, and cure using preset button 
5. For a chrome finish: using a sponge applicator, immediately burnish in CND Over The Top Effects in Off the Chain over CND Shellac No Wipe+ Top Coat evenly to the surface of the nail. Apply another layer of CND Shellac No Wipe+ Top Coat and cure on preset button 3.
6. Apply a drop of CND SolarOil to condition the nail and cuticles. 

Crystal Line Design 

Crystal lined nails for Christian Cowan designed by lead manicurist Julie Kandalec using products from CNDCourtesy of CND x Dipo Koiki

1. Using the brush in the bottle, polish the nail bed with CND Shellac in Steel Kisses in an exaggerated oval shape, and cure on present button 2S.
2. Using a thin brush, outline the free edge of the nail with CND Shellac in Steel Kisses, and cure on present button 2S.
3. Using CND PLEXIGEL Builder, adorn the smile line of the nail with round crystals, and cure on present button 2B.
4. Using CND PLEXIGEL Builder, adorn the top-center of the nail with a single round crystal, and cure on present button 2B.
5. Apply a layer of CND Shellac No Wipe+ Top Coat to seal, and cure using preset button 3. 
6. Apply a drop of CND SolarOil to condition the nail and cuticles.