Nail tape: features of choice and rules of use

Author of the article

Svetlana Pavlikhina

Reading time: 6 minutes

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There are many ideas for creating a beautiful and original manicure. But bringing them to life turns out to be problematic. A special nail tape can make the task easier. The main thing is to figure out how to use this simple accessory and choose the most suitable option.

Varieties

Tapes vary in thickness and color. This allows you to create an interesting manicure and make the image original.

The products have the following characteristics:

• presence of textured rough coating;
• transparent;
• rainbow tints;
• flexible options.

Decorative adhesive tape is supplied in reels.

Liquid tapes are commercially available. They are not used to create a nail design, but as an auxiliary material that protects the periungual tissues from varnish. This product is sold in bottles equipped with a brush.

Manicure for short nails

To do this, let's take one of the fashionable solutions - a polka dot manicure . Polka dots are another fashionable print that must be not only on clothes, but also on nails.

• Paint the nail with black polish.
• Cut out round stencils from tape.
• We paste stencils on the nails.
• Paint the stencil with white varnish - almost done! One of the nails can be made different from the others - for example, place a heart on it for greater beauty. We discussed in detail how to do this above.

So, we have outlined the most popular manicure ideas with tape. As you can see, with the help of this material you can create a bright, stylish and most spectacular manicure.

We advise you to work with special tooth-shaped scissors - this will be especially useful when creating a moon manicure.

Don't be afraid to paint over the stencil itself when you apply the varnish coating - you will remove it later anyway. It is better to choose varnishes that are durable and those that dry as quickly as possible. And, of course, don’t be afraid to fantasize - everything is in your hands and only you can give yourself an original, unique manicure.

Recommendations for selection

Recommendations to follow when choosing a product:

• buy products with a maximum thickness of 1 mm;
• if you want to combine ribbons with rhinestones, buy tiny stones, otherwise they will look pretentious;
• take into account the shape and length: for almond-shaped nails, medium or thin options are selected; if the nail plate is square, semicircular, then a shiny but very thin ribbon is used;
• thick options are designed for making large patterns, while thin ones allow you to apply small strokes.

Terms of use

Gluing tape at home is quite simple. The main thing is to properly prepare the nail plates, after which you can start doing the manicure.

Preparatory work

At the preparatory stage, the following manipulations are performed:

1. The surface is cleaned of old coating.
2. The nails are given the desired length and shape.
3. Using an orange stick, cuticles are pushed back.
4. Nourishing cream is applied to the hands.
5. The surface of the plates is degreased. For this purpose, nail polish remover, alcohol or a special degreaser are used.

Gluing rules

When your nails are prepared, you can apply the tape:

1. A base layer of varnish is applied to the surface.
2. The coating is dried.
3. A ribbon is glued on top according to the selected pattern, and the desired design is created.
4. A layer of varnish of a different shade is applied on top.
5. The manicure tape is removed.
6. The coating is drying.

Manicure designs with tape

Most often, adhesive tape is needed to create geometric three-dimensional ornaments or strict linear designs. In any case, for creativity it is recommended to use several shades of varnish, a base and a fixing coating, as well as decor and imagination.

Using different types of adhesive tape for manicure you can do:

• Quilted manicure. You will need tape to create “stitches” for volume. After applying the second layer, the ribbons are removed, leaving behind a three-dimensional ornament.
• Geometric patterns. All triangles, lines, wide stripes are made using pieces of tape, which is glued to the first color layer before applying the second layer with a different shade. There are a lot of variations of this manicure, since the complexity of the nail design is determined solely by the imagination of the master.
• French manicure. Regular and reverse French are easily created using tape. The resulting nail art may not be as subtle as with regular smiles, but it is done quickly, simply and does not require any special skills.
• Thin stripes. This manicure is performed with tape, which can be used in two ways: either simply stick colored metallic strips to decorate the nails, or use them to remove the top layer of the applied colored coating.

You can come up with ways to use manicure tape over and over again, and each option will be attractive in its own way. This explains the demand for auxiliary material and its relevance in the development of modern nail designs.

Tape gluing technology depending on surface type

The ribbon can be attached to regular varnish and shellac.

To carry out these manipulations you need a minimum of materials and tools:

• varnish coating;
• ribbon;
• scissors;
• tweezers;
• tweezers.

Gluing onto a natural nail

Working with natural nails does not cause any difficulties. The following actions are performed:

1. The nail surface is prepared.
2. A coating of the desired color is applied to the surface.
3. The varnish is dried.
4. Using tweezers and tweezers, peel off the required amount of tape. To make it easier to glue, it is recommended to measure with a small margin.
5. A tape is glued to the plate in accordance with the selected design.
6. The material is pressed along the edges with a manicure stick or finger.
7. The excess is trimmed off.
8. To consolidate the result, a top coat is applied on top.

For gel polish

The technology is in many ways similar to that used on natural nails:

1. The surface is prepared for the procedure.
2. The base coat is applied.
3. The surface is dried under an LED or UV lamp.
4. Apply shellac in the shade you like and dry it under a lamp.
5. The top is applied.
6. After the coating has dried, the tape is glued.
7. At the final stage, the nails are covered with a finishing coat.

Manicure ideas

Masters of the nail industry know many ways to design nails. It is better for beginners to follow proven approaches, and professionals who have been decorating their nails with interesting patterns for a long time can come up with a catchy option themselves.

Now we will look at popular ideas that will not require much effort and time to implement.

Festive French

The classic approach involves a clear drawing of the smile line, which gives the nails naturalness and elegance. To make your work easier, manufacturers of nail art products have come up with special stickers that can be found on every corner.

But what to do if they are not at hand, and you need a French jacket as soon as possible?

Scotch tape will come to the rescue.

In the traditional version, smiles with rounded edges are drawn, but this cannot be done with electrical tape and other similar devices. This nail art is best done on short nails. Thin and straight edging looks harmonious in a small area.

However, cunning fashionistas have come up with a way out: you will need a small round-shaped cap, for example, from varnish. A piece of wide adhesive tape is glued onto it, and then cut along the contour to make a semicircle. You need to make ten such blanks.

Then everything is as usual: the plate is covered with background varnish, dried, the forms are glued, colored or white enamel is applied to the tip of the nail, the sticker is torn off. The result is a perfect French jacket with regular rounded edges.

You can reproduce non-standard options: highlight the free edge of the nail or hole diagonally or crosswise with contrasting colors.

As for the colors you choose, today the classic harmony of white and nude is less valued than before. For everyday looks, choose unusual combinations. For example, good combinations of wine and beige, black and silver, red and gold, rich green and cream.

It all depends on your personal preferences.

Bright geometry

Design geometry remains one of the most popular for many seasons. Agree that manually drawing shapes so that they are even and neat is not an easy task. And again, miracle tape will help us.

Just tape off those areas that will later be painted a different color. To form triangles you will need three sticky strips at once, for a square - four. Play with the placement of the picture, try to create a multifaceted composition.

Practice will do its job, you will be able to get better at it, and soon the decorating process will take less and less time.

The chosen color scheme determines what impression your nail design will make on others.

So, if your life is dominated by business meetings and other work moments, choose a pastel palette. For holidays and vacations, rich shades that improve your mood are suitable.

Diagonals

This wonderful variation also won its admirers. For an elegant and festive look, cover your nails with multi-colored stripes in the shape of a rainbow. Don’t be afraid if the joints are sloppy; subsequently all the irregularities will be hidden under a dark layer.

Now stick several pieces of electrical tape diagonally or parallel, perpendicularly - in general, as your heart desires. Cover the plate with a dark color. After removing the stickers, beautiful rainbow rays will remain in their place.

Photo example

Intriguing puzzles

Everyone knows what this mental entertainment looks like.

For this manicure you will need:

• cut a stencil in the shape of a mosaic piece from a wide ribbon;
• paint your nails with white polish;
• glue two puzzles perpendicularly;
• paint over the part where the sticker is missing;
• As soon as everything is dry, remove the glued puzzle. The spectacular design is ready.

You can modify the task somewhat. Cut out small squares, and after the enamel has dried and the tape has been removed, draw circles in certain places.

Leaf veins

A spectacular creation, quite suitable for an evening look. For the background, choose an emerald green shade with glitter.

Then apply pieces of tape, imitating the veins of a leaf, like rays coming out from one point. Cover the plate with black and remove the tapes.

Golden chess

The original design will definitely not go unnoticed with the right selection of shades.

Created in a few steps:

• the surface of the nail is covered with a transparent base and then with a black tone;
• then mark a quarter of the plate in the form of a square with electrical tape, paint the free part with gold;
• remove the tape, then cover the second square located diagonally from the previously painted figure;
• Also paint the unpasted area golden;
• cover the work with topcoat.

Water design

Everyone knows what beauty can be achieved with the water nail art technique. In this option, different shades of enamels are dripped alternately into a container of water, then ornate stains are created with a toothpick or thin stick.

Afterwards, all that remains is to soak your nail in a glass and clean your finger from stains. However, this is not so easy to do. Electrical tape will help here; you can use it to cover the skin around the nail so that nothing unnecessary gets on it. Simply removing the sticky one is much easier than wiping your finger with acetone.

Scotch tape as an independent decorative element

Here things are even simpler. It is enough to cut out interesting shapes and paste them after drying the background. All that remains is to cover the work with topcoat.

You can use colored adhesive tape to lay out certain stripes, patterns or ornaments, and also secure the result with a transparent coating.

Why the tape peels off and how to avoid it

Tape manicures often fade quickly. Such problems are observed when nail design rules are not followed. It is quite simple to glue the tape so that it does not come off.

To do this, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. You should first go over the nail plates with a buff. This creates roughness for reliable grip.
2. Apply the ribbon with light tension. First, you should fix it on the most convex area, then press the edges with your finger or a manicure stick.
3. Cut the tape so that there is a small gap (maximum 0.5 mm). Due to this, it can be securely fixed with the help of a finishing coating and prevent premature peeling.
4. It is recommended to cut the product from the coil and along the edges of the nail using tweezers. When using scissors there is a risk of raising the edge.
5. Apply top coat. Thanks to this, the manicure will be as durable as possible.
6. Apply the tape only to a dry surface.

How to do a manicure using tape correctly?

Technique for performing manicure using tape step by step.

• Apply base coat. Make sure the layer is completely dry.

• Paint your nails with colored polish. Give time to dry thoroughly.

• Apply strips of tape to create your favorite design. Smooth out well.

• Apply another colored polish to the exposed part of the nail. Don't be afraid to color the edge of the tape. Allow time for the second coat to dry completely.

• Carefully remove the tape.

• Apply a transparent base to the design.

• Decorate your nails with glitter if desired.

Pros and cons of self-adhesive tape

With the help of nail design you can give an original look to even the simplest manicure. Decorative tapes are in no way inferior to other types of coating. Their use creates a vibrant design.

The material has advantages and disadvantages.

Among the positive aspects, the following stand out:

1. Easy to use. Even a beginner can handle a manicure. It is not necessary to have special equipment for this. The work can be easily done at home.
2. Easy to glue, reliable fixation. High-quality material will last a long time both on regular varnish and on shellac.
3. Rich assortment. On sale you can find ribbons of various widths and shades. They can be combined to come up with new designs.
4. Safety. No negative effects on nails were detected.
5. Low price. Every fashionista can afford such material.

Decorative ribbons have no disadvantages . But it is worth remembering that when applying to a regular varnish coating, you should wait for it to dry completely, otherwise, if you need to re-glue the tape, there is a risk that it will come off along with the varnish.

Execution technique

Performing a manicure is no different from traditional approaches. First you will need to remove the old coating, file and polish your nails, soften and remove the cuticle.

Features begin at the plate design stage:

• Apply base coat.
• For the chosen design, place tape on the index and ring fingers just above the center line of the nail. Carefully attach the ribbon along the edges so that the enamel does not spread during application. Do not cut the tape too close to your finger, leave a piece that will be easy to pull.
• Apply colored polish flush to the cuticle, without extending beyond the edges of the sticker. It's okay if the color gets on the tape. It precisely serves to ensure that the area underneath remains untouched.
• With a quick and precise movement, peel off the ribbon before the varnish has time to dry.
• Paint the remaining empty space with a different color.
• After the enamels have completely dried, carefully apply tape at the junction of the two paints.
• Cover the result with two coats of sealer varnish.

The detailed process is shown in the video. This work looks stylish and elegant. Brilliant ribbons add a “zest” to the creation; without them, nail art would be too boring.

Tapes can be attached in any order and direction. We have presented the simplest option, having mastered which you will be able to create complex geometric patterns, turning any fantasies into reality.

A few photo instructions:

Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

What can be replaced

One replacement option is regular stationery tape, but only as a stencil. It makes it possible to draw even stripes and perform a moon or French manicure. Figures are cut out of it, for example, hearts, stars.

Foil is also used. When using it, you need to take into account that the absence of a sticky layer leads to difficulties when performing nail design.

Liquid tapes can be replaced with PVA glue. Simply spread it around the nail and wait until it dries completely. In this case, a film is formed that protects the skin from contamination that is inevitable when performing a manicure.

Upon completion of the procedure, the dried glue is removed with tweezers.

Another replacement option is Vaseline. However, when lubricating the periungual tissues, the protection is not very reliable, and getting the product on the nails leads to poor fixation of the varnish coating.

Bold manicure with a predatory print

A predatory print always adds confidence and attractiveness, and a manicure in this style will definitely not leave you unnoticed.

• We take two varnishes: dark brown and light brown.
• Paint the nail plate with light brown varnish.
• We cut out a stencil from tape: on one edge of the tape we cut the spiky teeth characteristic of the print.
• Paste the stencil onto the nail.
• Paint the nail along with the stencil with dark brown varnish .
• We fix the result with a nail base - a daring, predatory manicure is ready!

Differences between liquid tape and self-adhesive tape

There are significant differences between these materials:

1. The liquid version is designed to protect the skin from pollution. It is applied around the nail plates before performing nail design and removed immediately after completion of the procedure.
2. Duct tape serves a different function. It is intended for decoration. Thanks to her, she is able to create the perfect manicure without any professional skills and give her nails a sophisticated look.

What is adhesive tape for design?

It looks like tape. At the same time, one side of it is bright, beautiful, sometimes decorated with something, and the other is sticky. Such tapes are glued to the nail plates, thereby decorating them. Thanks to the variety of ribbons, you can create interesting designs.

Adhesive tapes look equally good on both long and short nails. So you can safely experiment.

Using adhesive tapes, certain accents are made in manicure. All of them have a golden shine, regardless of color. So they will definitely add a pop of color to your nails.

This tape can be used on any surface. Under it, both regular varnish and acrylic, shellac are applied - there are absolutely no restrictions.

The cost of adhesive tape is very low. You can easily afford a whole set at once. This way you will have plenty to choose from. You can combine thicker stripes with thinner ones.