What is nail foil, what types are used for nail art? Algorithm for the use of transfer, tear-off, wrinkled, liquid foil. How to create a unique pattern on your nails?
Foil for nails is a decorative material that is used in the work of a manicure master. It is a roll of the finest material with a metallic sheen. The simplicity and ease of application allows you to use the technique yourself at home.
Choosing nail foil
In the photo, foil for nail design
Nail designs can include different types and colors of foil. The material can be bought in the cosmetic departments of stores, on the official websites of the manufacturers. The average price of nail foil is 80-100 rubles in Russia (50-60 hryvnia in Ukraine) for a standard roll.
Please note that food foil and pretty candy wrappers are not suitable for this manicure technique.
Types of nail foil by application method:
- Transferable … This material is characterized by the easiest application method. Therefore, it is suitable for the first experience of performing such a manicure. The glitter tape is in the form of double coated rolls. The base is made up of a layer covered with an adhesive base, on which a shiny pattern is attached (transferred).
- Tear-off … The technique for applying this type of foil is a little more complicated. It requires a certain amount of experience and dexterity with a sharp tearing of material from the nail plate. Externally, the decor is a bright shiny ribbon 3-4 cm wide, packed in a transparent container to prevent scratches during transportation and storage.
- Thermofoil … This material is made in the form of striking patterns. Like the transfer version, it consists of two layers - an adhesive base and a bright nail-shaped plate. Each piece is separately heated under a lamp and glued with precise finger movements. The excess is cut off with nail scissors.
- Scotch … The material is in the form of narrow, shiny stripes with an adhesive base. With their help, masters create drawings in the form of geometric shapes, national flags, oblique and even stripes. Transfer foil for nails is durable, thin, large assortment of colors and shades.
- Stickers … This is the name of the finished foil pictures. They are made on double coated sheets. To attach to the nail plate, you need to hook with tweezers to the edge of the image, peel off the sticker, press it to the nail, apply a fixing coating.
Types of nail foil by material structure:
- Smooth … This material is used to give the nail plate a perfect mirror-like surface. It is suitable for those with the perfect nail shape and a professionally made manicure base. In addition, small details can be cut out of sheet smooth foil for additional decoration.
- Embossed … This type of foil is used to highlight one finger (usually the ring finger). It has a denser texture and requires more effort to glue. A large assortment of colors, shades, embossed ornaments allows you to realize any fantasy of the master.
- Harvested … The material is made in the form of separate, strongly crumpled pieces. They are placed in a transparent jar, matching the shades of color. Applying crimped nail foil requires special skill as it is difficult to straighten and tears easily. But with its help, you can create a unique, inimitable nail art design.
- Liquid … This is the name of the gel polish with the addition of mother-of-pearl and glitter. Once dry, it creates the effect of being coated with nail foil. At the same time, the material is easy to apply, lasts for a long time, and is susceptible to any type of lamp (LED, UV, hybrid). And the variety of colors and shades allows you to create a manicure of any complexity.
Nail Foil Application Tools
You can do nail art using foil yourself. To do this, you need to prepare a workplace and purchase materials to create a neat and creative manicure, namely:
- Cuticle remover … It contains acids and alkaline components. They soften and thin the skin, after which it is easily separated from the nail plate.
- Nail files for shaping nails … They are made of glass, metal, ceramics in the shape of a rectangle, oval, boomerang. The main function of the tool is to polish the nail plate.
- Buff for nail polishing … It is a rectangular bar trimmed with suede or other rough fabric. Remember, the instrument must be disinfected regularly.
- Primer or primer … With its help, you can achieve cleansing and degreasing of the nail plate. As a result, the risk of developing pathogenic microflora under artificial turf is reduced.
- Base varnish … This liquid reliably attaches the gel polish to the nail plate, and also protects the hands from aggressive polish components. It contains vitamins, keratin, medicinal components.
- Gel polish … Some types of foil can be glued to regular varnish, but this decor looks more natural and beautiful on thick gel varnish. Depending on the design of the nail art, you can choose a transparent or colored product.
- Drying lamp … The gel polish contains a gel substance, which requires a lamp with ultraviolet, LED or gas light rays to dry.
- Glue … If the foil for nail design does not have a sticky base, you must use a special glue. It is sold in tubes with a brush and changes color after drying.
- Fixer … A thin transparent coating is applied to the finished manicure. It prevents the appearance of scratches on the foil, strengthens all layers of varnish, and gives a spectacular shine.
- Orange stick … The tool is made from an orange tree in the shape of a stick with a sharp and blunt end. It can be used to remove cuticles, clean nails, remove excess funds, attach decor.
Having collected all the tools and tools on the desktop, you can start creating nail art using nail foil. The duration of the procedure is at least 2 hours. Excessive haste or skipping manicure stages leads to a sloppy and unstable result.
How to make a manicure using nail foil?
In beauty salons, you can watch how nail foil is used, and then repeat this procedure at home. But to work on the right hand, an assistant is still required, who is also familiar with the technique of manicure and nail art.
Preparing to perform a manicure with foil
Before applying any type of foil, it is necessary to complete all the steps of the preparatory stage. It consists in thoroughly cleaning the nails, removing the cuticle, giving the plates a beautiful, neat shape.
Next, take a buff with an abrasiveness of 300 grit and polish your nails until all pits and grooves disappear. Degrease the plates with a primer, apply a base to protect against aggressive components of decorative agents.
Turn on the lamp, dry your nails, remove the sticky layer with a special tissue. Apply colored or clear varnish. If you are using gel polish, use the lamp and tissue paper again to remove the sticky residue.
Nail art with foil without the use of glue
The following steps depend on the choice of material. Transfer and liquid foil, as well as thermofoil, stickers, adhesive tape strips are applied without the use of glue.
If using self-adhesive nail foil, prepare templates in the form of a nail plate, stripes or small patterns. Using tweezers, remove the top layer, transfer it to the desired part of the nail, dry it under a lamp, cover with a fixer.
Thermofoil has a similar application technique. Prepare templates in the form of a nail plate. To do this, reduce them to the size of your nails. Gently peel off the top layer, heat it under the lamp until it begins to curl. Apply warm foil to the nail, smooth, remove excess parts, apply fixer.
Liquid nail foil also does not require the use of glue. It is a thick liquid with a high concentration of glitter. The decorative agent is applied with a brush. If it matches the base color in shade, one coat is sufficient. It is better to apply two layers of liquid foil on a transparent base. At the final stage, use a fixer.
Manicure with foil and glue
Tear-off and crumpled foil is applied with glue. This product is usually sold in dark tubes with a fine brush. It has the property of changing color after partial drying, at the time of applying a shiny material.
Crumpled foil is distinguished by its extraordinary thinness and weightlessness. It adheres instantly while retaining a casual wrinkle. Therefore, it is used to give a spectacular decor. After applying the glue, apply small pieces of material to the nail. After completing the pattern, apply a layer of fixing fluid.
Tear-off foil requires skill, experience and dexterity. Apply glue to the nail, wait for it to change color. Press the foil firmly against the sticky surface with the matte part of the material. Pull the foil off the nail in a quick motion. As a result, the glued part will remain on the varnish. Secure your manicure.
The most difficult version of nail art is the casting technique. It consists in applying a pattern with glue. After applying and tearing off the foil, a three-dimensional shiny image appears on the nail: an ornament, a pattern, a hieroglyph, small figures.
Nail design with different types of foil
Colored foil can be applied to all nails for a bright and bold look of a confident woman. But much more often only one (ring) finger on the hand is distinguished with this colored material. Moreover, it should be different in color, but maintain the integrity of the image.
Minimalist design is very popular. The most common version of such a manicure is a monochromatic matte nail color, complemented by elegant thin foil strips. Another harmonious decor is a geometric figure, a delicate ornament, and several dots.
French manicure or service jacket will never go out of style. It can also be decorated with foil applied to the tips or to the nail socket. At the same time, with the help of the play of colors and textures, the masters create a delicate, daring or avant-garde image.
Common mistakes when using nail foil
Not only amateurs, but also professionals of the manicure business face the problem of blurred and inaccurate drawing. They explain that each craftsman, through trial and error, selects his own brand of glue, varnish and foil. Only when working with proven material can you be sure of the success of nail art.
In addition, you must follow the sequence of steps and do not skip any of them. Time the time spent by the nails in the rays of the lamp, work out the correct movements when tearing off the non-transfer foil.
Real reviews of nail foil
Nail art using foil is popular with women of all ages. In the reviews, they write about the features of this type of design, about the desire to master it at home.
Julia, 28 years old, Vladivostok
Recently, I often do myself a manicure with liquid foil. It seems to me that it is the lightest and at the same time the most beautiful. The nails are smooth, and the glitter inside creates the effect of volume. I like warm golden hues. They go well with my jewelry, hair color and makeup.
Maria, 24 years old, Moscow
I always get my nails done in the salon. But one day I watched a video about thermal foil and decided that I could stick it myself. To be honest, I didn't like the result. All templates are very large, much wider than my nails. Therefore, I had to first cut stripes out of them on the sides, and after gluing, ask my sister to cut off the excess with scissors. And after all the torment, the manicure did not last long, about 10 days.
Lyudmila, 36 years old, St. Petersburg
I have a lamp and all the necessary tools. Therefore, I give manicure to all my friends. In my opinion, the most beautiful nail art is obtained using tear-off foil. I like not the whole nail to shine, but only a drawing in the form of an ornament. I like drawing, coming up with new ideas, mastering hieroglyphs. Moreover, there is now such a large selection of shades of foil and gel polish!
How to use nail foil - watch the video:
