STYLE - by Nails Magazine


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Agents of Style: Nail Art on a Mission

While providing only minimal directions and options, the editors at NAILS commissioned five nails agents to create individual works of art on three separate missions. The first group had to use black and white polishes to create nail tips, the second use any and all shades of red polish to create nail tips, and the third group use white, silver, and gold polishes to create nail tips. The "agents" we enlisted for this special project were Sayaka Sako of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Yoko Dykes of Marysville, Wash.; Elsbeth Schuetz of Orange, Calif.; Mia Kim of New York, N.Y.; and Christie Lovett of Ocean View, Hawaii

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Tags: NAIL ART

<p>Yuka Nishizaa, Shangri-LA, Torrance, Calif.</p>

All Tatted Up -- a Tattoo Nail Art Gallery

Looking to offer an edgier style of nail art to your clients when butterflies and flowers just won't do the trick? Get inspired by these tattoo nail s to push the boundaries and appeal to a different type of client. Click these links to see the image that made NAILS cover in November 2008, and read a full story of the amazing artist behind this concept.

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Tags: NAIL ART

<p>The modern love affair with sculptured nails can be traced back to the late 1960s or early 1970s. In 1989, a modern spin took off.</p>

What We Wore - Nail Styles Through the Years

Throughout the last two decades, NAILS has chronicled the best of nail styles, from thick and square to thin and oval. Here, a look back at the highlights — the fabulous, the frivolous, and the truly influential. 

Nail styles have come into their own especially during the last 100 years. During the 1920s, nails progressed from snowy white nail tips in the early ’20s, to crimson-colored nails as the ’30s approached. The most unusual technique was referred to as Paris Nails. They were deep pink at the edges with a paler pink in the center of each nail.

Square nails become fashionable around the mid-70s, probably due to nail competitions — judges can critique a C-curve more easily in a square nail than an oval nail. Exceptionally long nails are also accepted then and nail tips are used more and more.

The ’90s and early 2000s gave way to a back-to-natural look. Elegance and romance were prevalent as an ongoing trend. Nails were delicate and feminine in appearance, showing off that natural, well-kept look that stands true today.

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Tags: TRENDS

<p>Show ‘em you’re a tiger, show ‘em what you can do… Some gels have a paint-like consistency, making them easier to control. Here Christie Lovett shows off her steady hand with this tiger-print design.</p>

Nail Art Designs Created with Colored Gels

Colored gels are poised to make a splash in nail art. Different formulations allow techs to create unique nail art or build beautifully colored enhancements. Some colored gels are for sculpting, others have been designed to act as paint. Some colored gels are transparent, some are non-translucent.

Some collections feature a multitude of shades, others leave the mixing to the techs. Now more than ever nail techs really can have it their way when it comes to colored gels.  Here are some designs from other nail techs to give you some ideas of gel's versatility.

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Tags: COLORED GELS, NAIL ART

<p>2002 1ST PLACE: Vicki Benner of Chazio's Hair Salons in Lake in the Hills, Ill.</p>

NAILS Cover Tech Contest - Years 2001 to 2003

In the year 2000, the editors of NAILS decided it would be fun to have a nail technician reader create the cover for one issue and so we started the Cover Tech Contest. Every year, we get hundreds of beautiful entries, creative concepts, and astonishing photographs. Browse through the best of the contests through the years. If you're interested in learning how to submit material for the next Cover Tech Contest, contact Judy.Lessin@bobit.com for details.

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Tags: NAIL ART

<p>2008 1ST PLACE: Tokyo-based Nobuko Inagaki attempted to capture a typical morning for a working woman.  Despite her hectic schedule, Inagaki’s working woman still has time for picture-perfect nails. “I want to be like her — a woman who cares about health and beauty even if she’s busy,” she says.  A tech for 11 years, Inagaki served as her own model for the photo. It took her an hour to create this pretty gel set using Calgel.</p>

NAILS Cover Tech Contest - Years 2007 & 2008

In the year 2000, the editors of NAILS decided it would be fun to have a nail technician reader create the cover for one issue and so we started the Cover Tech Contest. Every year, we get hundreds of beautiful entries, creative concepts, and astonishing photographs. Browse through the best of the contests through the years. If you're interested in learning how to submit material for the next Cover Tech Contest, contact Judy.Lessin@bobit.com for details. 

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Tags: COMPETING, NAIL ART

Bedecked and Bejeweled  by Jill Worswick of Visions Salon in Chico, Calif. (1 of 3) - Jill  handpainted these colorful, sparkling concoctions. She first polished the nails in festive polish shades then applied complementary-hued rhinestones in different shapes and sizes, forming jewel-like patterns with them.

Rhinestones Are a Girl's Best Friend

Never mind diamonds. Get your clients’ nails sparkling and looking like a million bucks with a dose of rhinestones. While they may rather be wearing diamonds on their fingers, a little sparkle on their nails is a welcome — and much less expensive — alternative.

We asked several nail artists to come up with fun nail designs incorporating rhinestones to help inspire you to come up with your own creations. Be sure to tell your clients that while diamonds are forever, rhinestones on nails are a fun (and temporary) spin to add some bling to their look.     Photography Kelly Bracken

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Tags: MULTI-MEDIA NAIL ART, NAIL ART, RHINESTONES

 “‘A Mother’s Embrace’ is a copy of a necklace given to my sisters and me by our mother.” — Brenda Baker, Miss LaVons Beauty College, Oklahoma City

Mother's Day Nail Art Designs

Ten nail artists say “thank you” to moms everywhere.

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Tags: HOLIDAYS, NAIL ART

style-makers

Suzie's Beauty Blog

Nov, 19 2009
Destination Beautiful
Destination weddings have become hugely popular, probably because it's like a wedding and a vacation in one. And the locales -- Hawaii, Fiji, Cabo -- it's all incredibly romantic and beautiful. The Martha Stewart Weddings special edition about destination weddings... read full story

Nov, 16 2009
Text-ure Me
Looking for an affordable luxury to add to your fall and winter beauty fun? Put some texture on your nails. The November issue of Elle loves OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede, calling it a "sophisticated make-under" of the legendary... read full story

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    For over a quarter century, CND has been the leader in hand and foot beauty. Our SpaPedicure system is the leader in its field and winner of NAILS Magazine's Readers' Choice Awards for best pedicure system for five years straight.