Beauty / Fashion / Nail Art Using Negative Space Inspiration

Nail Art Using Negative Space Inspiration

Beauty Fashion Apr 30, 2015

by Meena Khan | Features Editor - Beauty

Creating Art With Nails

Nail art is a great outlet for creativity, and for many of us, our nails are our chance to become our best version of Anjolie Ela Menon. The trend is evolving to incorporate negative space (the space around or between objects) to create arresting nail looks.

The half -painted nail, where one half is painted in a bright colour that contrasts against a naked half, is a striking example of this trend.

The charm here is that, at certain angles, the nail looks fully varnished. Then, with the twist of the hand, it doesn't! This style is also practical since a half-varnished nail minimizes the obviousness of minor chips. My manicure is still going strong after several days.

To achieve this look, follow these steps.

SHAPE

The nail shape must be clean and defined. The squoval (square with softly rounded edges) is ideal, as it evokes Mondrian paintings.

The nails should be clipped using a small-sized clipper, like the Tweezerman Nail Clipper, to avoid over-cutting. Leave one millimetre of tip so that the nails don't look stubby.

Tweezerman Clipper Set

I clip my nails.

The nails should be shaped with a high-grit nail file, such as Tweezerman Neon Hot Nail Files, using a unidirectional motion to avoid splitting the nail. You'll need three strokes to achieve the squoval shape.

Tweezerman Neon Hot Nail Files

I file my nails using a unidirectional motion.

CUTICLES

Cuticles protect the nail bed, but when they become dry and overgrown, you should remove them. The safest option is to soak them and then push them back. However, this doesn't create clean edges, so I prefer to snip them away.

The first step is to soften them with a cuticle remover for two minutes — try Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Remover, which you can precisely apply using the built-in medicine dropper. This liquid loosens dry cuticles and you can roll them away with a wood stick.

Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Remover

I apply the cuticle remover to the edges of my nails.

For the overgrown cuticle and hangnails, I love the Revlon Marchesa Cuticle Nipper because — like tweezers — it's precise. Where you pinch it closed is where it will stay, with minimal chances of injury.

Revlon Marchesa Cuticle Nipper

I snip my cuticles with precision.

THE NAIL BED

You have to gently buff away ridges to create a smooth, shiny nail surface. I like Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer, which revives nails after a few deft strokes.

Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer

I buff my nails with deft strokes.

To ensure that the manicure lasts, clean the nail bed with remover so that the base coat dries directly on the surface. Warmer skin tones have a bit of yellow, so a peachy, translucent base coat such as Dior Abricot Base Coat adds enhancing shine.

Dior Abricot Base Coat

The base coat complements my warm colouring.

COLOUR

Once the base coat is dry, examine each nail to determine the halfway point. Then apply a nail guide either to the left or right of the halfway point, with one side aligning with the centre.

I apply the nail guide slightly to the right so that I can paint the left side.

I chose the left side and then applied one coat of varnish to that half.

I selected Dior in Mirage, a beautiful deep pink that suits Desi skin tones.

My left side is varnished.

Like you would with a regular manicure, I waited 15 minutes for the varnish to dry and then I pulled off the guides and applied a top coat to create an artistic finish:

The final product!

^{_{Dior Mirage and Deborah Lippmann images courtesy of retail site

Tweezerman images courtesy of NKPR

Revlon images courtesy of Revlon Canada Inc.

Dior Abricot Base Coat image courtesy of Christian Dior Canada}}

Meena Khan | Features Editor - Beauty

Author

Meena (@meenalaregina) always loved the idea of exploring the non-conventional idea of beauty. Having grown up as a pimply chubby teenager, she wanted to see the change in the world that best reflected your uniqueness as well. Her well-received collection of blogs where she tries on various beauty p...

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