Tips for using Nail Art Pens

The sky is not the limit for what you can do with nail art pens.  Really – sky blue nails with little clouds and birds are great for spring and summer, and that’s only the start of what you can do with a little practice.  Nail art pens give every woman a chance to show off some creativity with a completely unique manicure.  You don’t have to dive in at the deep end with elaborately detailed pictures.  The great thing about nail art is that you can start with simple things, and if a design doesn’t work out you aren’t stuck wearing it everywhere.  With a bit of nail polish remover, all is forgiven and forgotten, and you are ready to try again.  So how do you do it?

First, let’s get a basic question out of the way.  What are nail art pens?  They are basically a clever new tool for applying nail polish in very thin lines so you can create all sorts of amazing patterns and pictures on your nails.  They look like regular nail polish bottles at first, but come with a fine nib or brush that allows you to create small artistic designs right on your fingernails. At shellacnails.eu we supply a dual version of nail art pens that combine the pen and brush in one bottle. A great choice for getting started as you can mix and match the techniques whatever way you want!

Think about what you want to do before you start.  A pattern of stripes and/ or dots is an easy way to get the hang of it while also getting some awesome nails.  You can do something elaborate, or you can keep it simple with one curving line from one corner to the opposite.  You can choose a colour that is close to the base colour you’ve applied or one that stands out dramatically.  Can’t pick a colour?  Try doing each nail in a different one!

Getting to Work with Nail Art Pens

1. Start by giving yourself a regular manicure.  File your nails and push back your cuticles.  Use an alcohol wipe to remove any dust from filing from your nails.
2. Apply your base coat and polish following these simple instructions How to Apply Shellac Nail Polish at Home , add colour as required, and then add your top coat.  You can use nail art pens over regular polish or shellac polish.  Be sure your top coat is completely and totally dry before you start working with your pens.
3. A simple and fun design to start with is a dotted stripe from one corner of your nail to the opposite corner.  You can do the stripes in one colour and the dots in another.  For example, you can start with a basic pastel or neutral for your polish.  Then use a black nail art pen for the stripes.  Use the striper brush to draw two parallel lines from the inner right corner of your nail to the outer left corner.  Leave enough space in between the lines for the dots.  Use a fun and funky colour such as a bright red or blue and make a series of small dots between the two parallel lines.  You can make this even easier by doing only one line with a series of dots next to it.

Now that you’re getting comfortable with your technique, you can do more with simple lines and dots.  With a neutral colour polish, use a dark polish on a striper brush to make the trunk and branches of a tree on each nail, and then use green to add some leaves.  Try doing your nails blue and using white on the striper brush to add waves.  Add a white triangle with a darker line below with the pen tip and you have a sailboat on your waves.  You don’t have to be Picasso to create fun and beautiful nail art designs.  Just give your imagination free rein and be willing to experiment.  You’ll find hundreds of inspiring examples online to give you some ideas.

More Tips for Nail Art Pens

It can be very dramatic to have a design on just one nail or to have one nail on each hand different from the others.  Pink nails with alternating red hearts and black question marks is a striking and intriguing look.  Do you like poker?  What about a club on one finger, a heart on the next, then a spade and a diamond with the thumb either plain or with another image?  Once you get started, you just might find yourself a little preoccupied with great design ideas and rightfully proud of your nail art.  It can be a great ice breaker, so if you are going to a party or a night out where you are worried about what to talk about, just go wearing some nail art that says something interesting about you.   Do you follow sports?  Why not head out with a nail art design using the colours of your county’s GAA team or your favourite professional football team?

Using Nail Art Pens with Shellac Nail Polish

If you are wearing a shellac manicure as a base for your nail art, you can use another application of the shellac top coat to protect it.  It will last as long as your shellac nail polish does – about two weeks!  And be sure to use your nail lamp to dry that final top coat so all your work isn’t ruined.  You can also use a clear top coat of regular nail varnish to protect your nail art. If you are still searching for nail art inspiration, then have a look at some of these helpful nail art instructions and you will be amazed at the intricate designs that can be painted on such a small canvas as a fingernail, once you have the right nail art pens and brushes.

Care for your Nail Art Brushes & Pens

There is one last very important detail to know about your nail art brushes and pens.  You must keep the lids on securely when you aren’t using them.  Before you start, check how the varnish is flowing from the nail art pen.  Keeping your nail art pen clean and securely closed should prevent any dried polish from caking at the tip of the pen.

Don’t be intimidated by the highly detailed images in some nail art.  You can start with some easier designs and before you know it, you’ll be the one with the amazing art on your nails explaining that no, you didn’t spend a fortune at the salon having it done, you did it yourself!