Nail Design

NTNA 2014 Pre-Challenge #1: 3-D Music (Sherri)

Sherri Traweek (Redlands, CA) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. "These nails represent the band and genre that touch me the most, and play a big part in who I am. The Pawnshop Kings are a pair of brothers who, through heavy doses of Southern Soul and Southern California surf culture, spread the Gospel through music that moves you to the core. I've taken a few of their trademarks, and recreated them in acrylic, gel and acrylic paint. From Joel's acoustic guitar, to the Fender amp, the humble wood stage, and even the crown, these nails sum up the Pawnshop Kings experience. The crown hanging upside down on the guitar isn't just a literal interpretation of their telltale logo, but tells a much deeper, more profound story. Traditionally, an upside down crown signifies a king who has fallen in battle. In this case, the crown represents Jesus Christ, and how Scott and Joel hang their musical influence ultimately on Him. The fact that it's also on a nail represents who I hang my creativity on!"

NTNA 2014 Pre-Challenge #1: 3-D Music (Simone)

Simone Gilbert (Victoria, Australia) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. "Upon reading the theme for this week’s music challenge, I immediately thought back to my childhood. My Grandparents owned an old player piano, which is a piano that plays braille type musical scrolls. I created an antique-looking nail with musical notes swirling its way around the tip, where it takes off and becomes three dimensional. I decided to incorporate a gloss factor to symbolise the black piano keys that we would to press to mimic the music as it played. These childhood memories are amongst some of my fondest and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reminiscing to create my nail for this challenge."

NTNA 2014 Pre-Challenge #1: 3-D Music (Tammie)

Tammie Alvarado (Tulare, CA) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. "My inspiration was the Yellow Submarine from the Beatles. I choose it because when I think of music I think of Iconic figures. So naturally I had to choose them. Their choice of color variation and use of shapes really captured my eye.  I am so happy, excited, and honored."

NTNA 2014 Pre-Challenge #1: 3-D Music (Yesenia)

Yesenia Oliva (San Luis Obispo, CA) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. "'Music is love in search of a word.' I found this beautiful quote and decided to use it as inspiration for our first challenge. Music is a reminder of memories whether it’s sad or happy ... Sometimes if a certain song comes on the radio it reminds of a certain moment right?  This is what I wanted to show. I wanted to show all the beautiful things that come out thru that speaker that makes us feel so much. I chose gold glitter for the speaker because I wanted to make it stand out more than anything else, with the colored notes out of it.  I decided to make the album coming out of the speaker just to make it fun with a little twist."

NTNA Pre-Challenge #1: 3-D Music (Danielle)

Danielle Constantino (Lincoln, R.I.) creates a 3-D design on a single nail tip using a variety of nail products based on a "music" theme. The first image that popped into my head when I read the first challenge was my 4-year-old son’s connection to music.

Mustang Anniversary Inspires OPI Polish Collection

The iconic Ford Mustang — which celebrated its 50th anniversary in April — serves as the inspiration for a line of limited-edition OPInail lacquers that will launch internationally in July.

NAILS Next Top Nail Artist Sponsored by CND Announces Top 24

The applications came in for NAILS Next Top Nail Artist sponsored by CND. We excitedly read through every answer, watched YouTube video diaries, gazed in awe at nail art photos, and scoured social media to narrow it down to the Top 24.

Inspiring Instructor: Q&A with Sindy Mark

Former Kupa Inc., master educator Sindy Mark recently branched out on her own to start a nail art-focused education program called The Nail Art Academy. Based in San Francisco, Calif., the classes she offers are designed to help students increase their technical and creative skillset and increase income by adding innovative nail art to their service menus.

Make Dad Proud

Encourage clients to show their love for dad by replicating this Father’s Day design on their nails.

Floral & Fashionable

The new collection from Shooting Star allows clients to express themselves for prom or wedding season.

World of Color

Mundial is known for providing function with a twist.

Troubleshooter: Spaghetti As a Nail Art Tool

In this video from the NAILS Troubleshooter series, Elaine Watson, vice president of marketing and sales for Star Nail International, shows how to use a stick of uncooked spaghetti to easily pick up and place rhinestones.

Trend Watch: Fairy Tale

Feminine prints with opulent finishes such as velvet, glitter, and metallics make for a luxurious look.

Mermaids Tale with Young Nails Acrylics & Glitters

Greg Salo shows a mermaid-inspired design using Young Nails acrylics and glitters.

Manicure Madness

Secrets Prism Paints

NSI’s Secrets Prism Paints are part of the brand’s new Secrets line, focused on nail art and design.

3 Polishes, 15 Possibilities

In the April 2014 issue of Allure, nail blogger Jessica Washick used three contrasting hues to create a host of looks. The colors she used are: Julep's Malia, Rimmel London's Mintilicious, and Tom Ford's Beauty Sugar Dune.