The newest craze in nail design is creating a work of art in every manicure with a nail art pen. These pens are tubes of nail polish that provide fun and exciting ways to express one’s creativity and style through nail art.
Compared to traditional nail polish, nail pens provide better control in application with their fine tips. These fine tips are what make nail pens perfect for French manicures and for adding intricate details to manicured nails.
Nail art pens come in a variety of styles. Some are made as single or double-sided pen, some as two-way pens which feature an applicator brush and a fine tip that can be used alternately. Double-sided nail pens provide two nail colors in one tube.
Nail pens are also available in an assortment of colors. Some even contain glitter for additional flare. The recent addition to the nail pen trend is the 3D nail art pen.
3D nail art pens are made with special inks that inflate once they are applied, creating a bulky 3-dimensional nail art.
Here are some nail pens to try!
Sally Hansen Nail Art Pens are unique, fine tip nail pens with environment-friendly, water-based nail color.
Nail Jazz Nail Polish Pens are pens that come with an applicator brush and a pen nib that makes do-it-yourself nail art easy.
Nail Delights 3D Nail Art Pens (Set of 12) are nail pens with thick, acrylic water-based paint.
Although nail pens come in different styles and packaging, there’s only one way to use them. If you’re new to nail pens, here’s a quick guide.
Mix the nail polish within the nail pen by shaking it with the cap on.
After shaking, remove the cap for use.
Gently squeeze the pen for it to dispense the nail polish. Squeeze on a tissue paper first to remove hardened polish from the tip.
Apply on nails and style with whatever design you like.
Replace cap after use to keep the nail polish from drying.
There are dozens of nail art designs that you can easily do with these colorful and innovative nail pens. But before you start creating your nail art, remember to go through the basics.
Create a clean canvas by cleaning and buffing your nails. The beauty of nail designs are much appreciated with manicured nails.
Apply a layer of clear or neutral color nail polish for a base coat. This is necessary to even out the nail’s surface even more and make your nail art last longer.
Try out these do-it-yourself nail art pen designs!
Floral
Apply a base color. Try using red nail polish to make your floral nail art stand out.
Wait until dry.
Using a nail brush and a green nail polish, create flower heads and stems.
Wait until dry.
With a different colored nail pen, draw some petals. Use bright colors.
Wait until dry.
Complete your floral design by drawing leaves on the stems. Use a green nail pen.
Allow to dry.
Checkerboard
Apply a black base color.
Wait until dry.
Draw checkerboard squares on top of the base color with a medium-tipped nail pen. You can use any color aside from white.
Allow to dry.
Glitter
Apply a base color. Use a dark color to make the glitter noticeable.
Wait until dry.
Use a nail glitter pen to outline the tips of your nails.
Allow to dry.
Holiday
Apply a base color. Select a color that matches the holiday theme.
Wait until dry.
Use nail pens to draw designs that is in tune with the holiday—snowman for Christmas, hearts for Valentines Day and flags for the 4th of July.
Allow to dry.
Animal Print
Apply a neutral base color.
Wait until dry.
For a leopard print, create spots by drawing irregular circles.
Wait until dry.
Add a touch of flair by drawing in inner spots on the circles with a nail glitter pen.
Allow to dry.
Style TIP 1:
Ask a friend to help you out with your dominant hand.
Style TIP 2:
Always apply a clear top coat once your nail design has dried. This will help protect your work of art from easily chipping off.
Nail art stickers or nail decals are a fun way to style the tips of your fingers and toes just like a nail art pen. If you can’t get the hang of using nail pens, stickers are the best way to go. Unlike nail polish and pens, stickers are cheaper and easier to use. Stickers allow you to decorate your nails in no-time.
Nail stickers are available in assorted colors and designs—astrology, fruit, floral, animal, holiday, gems, rhinestones, holograph, abstract and so much more! Some nail decals are flat and thin stickers, others are bulky and rubberized for a 3D effect. Both types of stickers can be used on natural or artificial nails.
3D nail art stickers are the latest in decal trend. The bulky or puffy appearance of a 3D nail art sticker makes it noticeable in a glance.
Check out these 3D nail stickers!
Trendy Princess 3D Puffy Nail Art Stickers
Konad Nail Art Sticker 3D Jeweled
Cina Pro 3D Nail Decals Glitter Butterflies and Flowers
With so many nail stickers to choose from, you’ll never run out of style options!
There are three ways to apply a nail decal depending on what type of adhesive it is set on. Check out these simple steps.
How to Apply a Self-Adhesive Decal
Brush all of your nails with a quick-dry base coat.
Apply a first coat of nail polish in your desired color. Allow to dry.
Apply the second coat. Wait until your nail polish has dried completely.
With tweezers, detach the nail decal from its backing paper.
Position the decal on your nail.
Lightly tap the decal with an orangewood stick to make sure there are no air pockets.
Seal your nail art with a thick layer of top coat polish. Dry completely.
Self-adhesive decals are the easiest to apply.
How to Apply a Water-Slide Decal
Make sure your fingernails are clean. If you want to apply nail polish, you can do so.
Cut out the nail decal from its sheet.
Soak the decal in water, face down.
Wait until the decal’s back paper curls, about ten to fifteen seconds.
Using tweezers, take the decal out of the water when the paper has curled.
Place the nail decal on top of your nail.
Lightly anchor the decal with a finger and slide out the backing paper from underneath.
Position the decal into place, and press it on your nail with a tissue to remove water and air from underneath it.
Wait until the nail decal adheres to your nail, it will take about two seconds.
Apply a top coat to seal your nail art. Allow to dry.
Finish with another layer of top coat. Dry completely.
Water-slide decals can be tricky for an inexperienced user. Practice makes perfect. Or you can go to a nail salon and have an expert apply water-slide decals for you.
How to Apply Full-Sheet Nail Decals
Begin your nail art by making sure your nails are clean or manicured. You can apply a coat of background color if you want.
Cut out the nail decal from the design sheet.
Position the decal on your nail.
With the backing paper still on, rub the design on your nail. Use an orangewood stick.
Rub the decal until the paper peels up.
Peel off the backing paper.
Examine the decal. Press down edges that have not completely adhered to your nail.
If you notice extra decal that has extended past your nail edges, use a nail file to fix it.
Protect your nail art by brushing a thick layer of top coat on your nails. Dry completely.
Nail art TIP! When setting nail stickers on top of nail polish, make sure that the color of your polish does not overwhelm your sticker. Use a light background color for dark nail stickers and vice versa. Do not use a polish color that is the same with your sticker.
Remember that just like any other nail art, nail art stickers look their best when applied on clean, manicured nails.
