Nail Art- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

     Perhaps it's best left to the eyes of the beholder and that is why I'm taking the time to really dig into this subject when it comes to nail technology. Anyone who has ever delved into the world of art in a basic and general way can tell you that just about anything goes since the avant garde genre came to the fore. Art covers a lot of mediums today and artistry in many varied fields is important and improves our lives for the most part. I'm going to put aside everything that art touches in this instance and concentrate solely on the aesthetics of beautiful nails, hands and feet. I entered the field of nail technology many years ago for that reason alone and not particularly to prove to anyone that I'm an artist but rather specifically a nail artist.



      Would you go to a plastic surgeon to get a tattoo? Would you ask a prosthetic artist to make you an odd-shaped leg or hand ? If your answer is yes would you dare to ask yourself why you're asking for such a thing ? A good part of the nails and nail art I see people wearing today is not particularly pretty and some of the actual nails look dangerous with no glamour attached to the look at all. It's quite puzzling to me because I always strove to make any artificial product I applied to nails to look not only beautiful but as natural as possible. It became and still is my trademark.

     I probably shouldn't be surprised that this has happened and that some people don't think anything of this disheartening trend. I watched it happen to the hairdressing profession years ago and I remember my mother's reaction to all of it. She was an NHCA member throughout most of her career as a professional hairstylist. She did everything. Color, blonding and highlighting, cuts for men, women and children, perms, shampoo sets, styling for weddings, braiding and elaborate hair styles. I remember her doing marcel type waves early in her career without an iron which she later used to try her hand at working with black hair styling. She found that very difficult and time consuming but also very interesting. I'm convinced that there wasn't anything she couldn't do. I also know that there were a lot of things she wouldn't do because it would harm someone's hair. She didn't like using irons and refrained from using them. She was very particular about the products she used and absolutely abhorred the crazy styling during the 70s and 80s. She didn't like the spiky styling that has now lasted two decades.

     I'm certain her reasons were the same as mine are now about a good portion of the nail art out there. I'm also a little upset about how artificial nails are being styled as well but we'll cover that subject at another time. The best way for me to tell you what the true essence of nail art should be, will be to just illustrate.

I do have a few hard and fast rules that I stick to adherently. The first one is that I do not put a different color base on each nail.

The second is that I refrain from doing the same design on each nail.

The third is that I only decorate a few nails on a single customer if I do freehand nail art such as those below. I seldom, if ever, decorate all ten digits.

My fourth and last is that I keep a consistency in the designs for unity by either using the same colors- even if I mix the colors- or the same geometric shapes or similar designs which compliment each other. Color and design consistency is usually best.

     The biggest mistake I see on people's nails is having the same exact airbrushed design on all ten nails. That is the wrong type of consistency. The best nail artists use the same colors in each unique design- even if they put art on every single nail. The design or picture should have complimentary colors- no purple and orange or yellow and brown dots, for example- unless you're using acrylic paints and mixing colors to make shades like I do for freehand art. Elementary school art belongs on elementary school kids. Just don't do it, even if you teach kindergarten. Make it a habit to search out pictures and photos that you would like your nail artist to put on your nails. She might surprise you with her talent. If you get a stressed out look go find someone who is as adventurous as you are, now that you know what to look for in a nail technician.

     Airbrushing is most likely the classiest way to make truly aesthetic art on nails. The photo below will give you some idea of what can be achieved. In this case color coordinated designs are so much prettier. Even putting the same design on each nail works because you can keep blending the lines with mixes and the possibilities are endless clear into three, four or five dimensional designs. That all comes with practice. Everyone of these designs were made with templates I cut out myself in an airbrush seminar with the Colormist people many years ago.

     On the other hand, if a professional just uses airbrushing to paint over stencils you're most likely going to get the same design on each nail. You'll get a lot of stares, all right, but for all the wrong reasons. Many nail artists haven't taken the time for or received any proper education in using an airbrush unit and that is why they do the stencils. If you have to clean up your own cuticles after getting these designs then the tech didn't receive any formal instruction in using an airbrush machine for nails at all. You might want to check to see if she has a professional state license in cosmetology or manicuring. If you are unsure how to find out, send me a quick e-mail and I'll get in touch with you on how to proceed even if you live in another state.

     One more aspect to consider is my pet peeve. When do you know if your nail art is just over the top ? My rule of thumb- if you'll pardon the quip! - is that if you really can't discern an actual pattern, consistency or attractiveness to what you have on your hands it may be time to get out the polish remover. Just remember that having beautiful nails is to be an accessory to your overall fashion statement or look. Even a fashionista will tell you that and you won't see one looking as if someone grabbed her and colored over the lines. In other words, if it seems garish or outrageous then it is because it's affecting the way you feel about your hands.  

Believe it...

The Castle Lady