Thanks to the latest technologies, a variety of stencils for nail plates are on sale, using which you can realize any fantasy and create your own masterpiece on your nails.
A stencil is a kind of small-sized blank, which is usually used when creating a painting. Stencils can be either disposable or reusable. You can buy them at any specialized store or make them yourself.
What are stencils for nail design
A stencil is a certain type of blank designed to facilitate the drawing process. Which nail stencil to use and how to apply it depends on what technique needs to be implemented.
Conventionally, all the basics for creating a beautiful manicure can be divided into two large groups:
- on an adhesive basis. Such blanks are easily fixed on the nail plate and help create clear lines and designs from them. After applying the varnish over the stencil, it is removed, and in place of its voids (slits) a specific picture remains. The simplest and most common example of such a device is strips for creating a French manicure. Such basics have a lot of advantages: they are accessible, easy to use and, with a certain level of experience, give an ideal result. You just need to use them carefully - the first time you may not calculate the amount of varnish and the time for its partial drying, and then it may smudge when removing the base;
- stamp principle. Such blanks are reusable; the design is transferred to the nail plate as an impression.
Stencils for gel polish
The use of stencils in manicure is a very popular, stylish and sought-after area of nail design.
They were invented and began to be used back in the nineties of the last century. These blanks gained their first widespread popularity during the creation of the French manicure.
You will learn more about creating a manicure using stencils in the following video.
Today, the variety of stencils is simply impressive!
They are available for lunar manicure and French manicure, for creating a variety of geometric patterns (spirals, corners, geometric shapes, etc.), for drawing hearts, all kinds of silhouettes and other patterns.
And most importantly, nail design stencils are ideal for use not only with regular polishes, but also with gel polishes.
What types of stencils are there and how to use them
Within the framework of the stencil technique for creating a manicure, there are basic rules regarding the course of the procedure itself. Some stages may differ depending on the technique, but the basic algorithm remains unchanged:
- The nail plate must first be prepared. This stage involves removing the remnants of old varnish,
- pushing back the cuticle. You can also polish the nail with a soft buff to obtain an even coating;
- Now you can apply the first, base layer of transparent protective varnish and, after it dries, a layer of varnish of the main color;
- It is very important that the base layer dries well, so it is better to wait at least half an hour. The coating should not only
- stop sticking, but even after pressing hard there should not be a fingerprint left;
- Now you can glue a stencil or apply a design with a stamp. If the adhesive base is too sticky and you are afraid for the integrity of your base coat, you can stick the stencil to the skin of your hand several times - this will remove the excess stickiness. Next, the stencil is applied to the desired area;
- the next stage is applying varnish to the areas of the slots in the workpiece;
- remove the template when the varnish has already dried a little, but not yet completely dry;
- After applying the design, the nail is covered with a protective coating.
There are several types of nail stencils, and each of them has its own special purpose and gives a certain effect. Let's look at the main varieties.
Stencils for French manicure
French manicure is universal; in its different variations, it is suitable for both everyday use and special occasions. This design is very popular - it is unobtrusive and always looks good on the hands. The French style involves applying a strip of white varnish (in the classic version) or any other color to the free edge of the nail plate.
To make the procedure available at home, special stencils were invented. They look like curved strips and have an adhesive backing. All you need to do to get perfect, even lines is to stick the stencil on the prepared nail and paint the tip outlined by it with the desired color.
Reusable stencils for stamping
Stamping is a relatively new trend in nail design; this technique gained popularity due to the fact that thanks to it, women have the opportunity to create unique designs on their nails in just a few minutes. The main tools of the technique are plates and stamps with an embossed pattern.
There are a lot of variations of bases with an applied design within the framework of stamping. These can be metal plates with an engraved image, plastic bases, and they can have a wide variety of sizes - from small plates to fairly large professional boards. To transfer the design from the plate, you will need a special stamp - a small device with a handle and a soft rubber or silicone pad for the imprint.
The process of creating a design is as follows: the varnish is applied to the stencil, its excess is removed with a special soft spatula. Afterwards, the design is transferred to a stamp by pressing it on a certain element of the pattern, after which, using the same stamp, the design is imprinted on the nail. The procedure goes very quickly, and the result is simply amazing.
For moon manicure
Moon manicure is considered one of the varieties of French; it differs only in the place where the arched pattern is applied. In this technique, the area of the lunula is painted in a semicircle - a place at the base of the nail, which is often easily visible on a healthy nail due to the color being different from the rest of the plate. Of course, it is not the natural hole itself that is painted over; the bend is formed the same on each nail and its size can be any.
To create such a manicure, you can use either regular stripes for a French design or special stickers. In the first case, the stencil is applied in the usual way, but not near the free edge, but outlining an arc at the base. The principle of using blanks has no special features.
For airbrush on nails
This technique is not often used at home, since its implementation requires a special tool - an airbrush. For nail design, a small version of the device is used - a mini-pneumatic sprayer, which sprays tiny droplets of paint within a set range. Typically, this technique is used to create beautiful gradient color transitions on the nail plate, but with the use of stencils, the technique takes on a new direction.
The stencil is also a plate with an adhesive backing, which is applied and fixed on the nail. Next, the paint spraying procedure is carried out, and after removing the sticker, a beautiful, clear pattern remains.
Vinyl stencils for creating designs
Vinyl stickers work on the same principle as adhesive-based paper stickers. The blank with the selected design is transferred to the nail, the slots in the plate are painted with varnish of the desired color, the overlay is removed, and a clear and beautiful design remains on the nail plate. The huge advantage of this method over conventional stickers is the variety of designs and the specificity of the material, which ensures that the sticker adheres tightly to the surface. Thus, when using vinyl stencils, the varnish does not flow over it, and the design turns out clear and even.
Typically, this type of sticker is sold in sets of 12 pieces - they are located on one piece of paper. The cost of vinyl overlays is not high, and even taking into account their one-time use, a spectacular and unusual manicure becomes available to any woman or girl.
Applying French manicure using blanks
The design style is varied, but French manicure can confidently be called classic. The French cover is suitable for all styles of clothing and is appropriate for any event. Relevant for both everyday design and for a variety of events.
To get a high-quality French haircut, there is no need to visit a beauty salon.
Stencils for French manicure will ensure the proper look. You can purchase them by visiting any cosmetics store. They make it possible to make not only a classic design. The presence in the retail network of adhesive plates with various shapes (semicircular, oblique, curly, lace) will add individuality to the French style. It is very difficult to do it yourself without preparations, since the movements require clear, even or winding lines in the shape of a smile. Any error in their application and the coating will look sloppy.
Performing French work using stencils
Stencils are applied to the nails, as mentioned earlier, on the completely dry initial layer of varnish. The free edge of the nail is painted in the required color, and when it is completely dry, the workpiece is removed. Its shape may not necessarily be traditionally semicircular; triangular, wavy and beveled types are used. These changes add variety to such a classic design. Plates with a sticky base are convenient if you need to add a “striped” design style. To do this, several strips are used at once, which makes it possible to carefully paint the smile line in the selected colors. The finished coating looks original.
And if you decide to diversify the design by painting with varnishes using all kinds of glitter with the application of colored micro-dust, you can’t do without blanks. Their use will significantly speed up and facilitate the creation process.
How to make stencils for manicure with your own hands
You can make stencils for creating a beautiful manicure yourself, without spending any money on it at all. There are several options for this "workaround":
- a real find for lovers of original designs is tape. Its edge can be cut in any desired way, and thanks to its functions, the segment can be easily fixed on the nail. Thus, you can create both a classic French manicure and create complex patterns by gradually gluing tape on different areas;
- Another alternative is adhesive tape. It can be used in a similar way to adhesive tape, without limiting your imagination.
Subtleties of quality manicure
In order for your manicure to please you for a long time, you need to master some subtleties:
- Choose your stencil carefully. Before you start manicure, check the sticker in action. Stick it on the nail, then remove it, if there is glue left in the place where it was - you don’t need to use this stencil. Buy a new one!
- To create a long-lasting manicure, you need to use not only regular varnish, but also a base and a fixer.
Use our tips, and your manicure will delight you for a long time.
You might be interested in the article on how to skillfully combine nail polish colors.
Application of foil
Foil can replace the usual stencil and with its help you can create an equally sophisticated design.
You don't need a light varnish to do this, a dark one will suffice. In addition, you need a base, a fixative, cotton swabs, scissors and a set for hygienic manicure.
The first step is always the same - you need to trim the cuticle, file the plate, giving it the required shape, and degrease it. After this, the base is applied, which this time cannot be allowed to dry completely.
A small piece of foil must be attached to the base of the nail and smoothed to the middle. You can use a cotton swab. With its help, it is much more convenient to smooth out the foil and eliminate small air bubbles under it.
Using small scissors or a blade, you need to cut off all the foil that extends beyond the edges of the nail. As a result, the foil should cover 1/3 of the nail. After this, you need to cover the entire remaining length of the nail with a dark color. You can go over the foil a little, and then use a thin brush to trim the edge of the moon or highlight this line with a different color.
When the layer is completely dry, the entire plate must be covered with a fixative. The drawing will look very unusual and sophisticated.
