Every season, the fashion for nail design is updated. Although the novelties attract considerable attention, often a long-known technique suddenly appears in a new light. So it happened this season. Designers again turned to the gradient. This time, the vertical gradient on the nails is selected as the background for stamping, freehand drawing or large compositions.
Its advantage is easier than horizontal ombre. Therefore, it can be made at home and be in trend. The main thing is to choose the right color scheme.
What is a vertical gradient on the nails
The very concept of a gradient (or ombre, as it is also called) in a smooth transition of shades of one into another. Usually two colors are used for this, but there can be three, or even four. A good taste is that dark tones turn into light and are made up of one part of the spectrum - cold or warm.
White and black are considered neutral. Therefore, stretching the color from a thick, pigment-saturated tone to a light, transparent or dense pastel color can be done in any color.
Unlike the horizontal version of this design, in which all nails have a color transition from the cuticle to the free edge, the vertical gradient on the nails is distributed from one side roller to the other. So from different angles, the nails seem to be painted with different varnishes. It is not as expressive as horizontal, but visually lengthens the nails.
Fashionable colors
Naturalness in everything - this is the motto of fashion designers and designers. The color of the transition of the natural color of the natural nail from the illuminated to the shadow area is the most popular choice of nail stylists. It is also called gray-pink and has many varieties. The color of the nails per se varies from light pink to pinkish-brown, gray - from a subtle shadow to dark graphite. Therefore, the combinations are very interesting. In addition, there are warm and cold gradients.
It is noteworthy that they do not do horizontal stretching of the color in such tones, preferring decorative shades. Suddenly darkened nails would have looked too natural. And the vertical gradient on the nails can be worn calmly - its decorativeness is not expressed in color, but in its original distribution.
In addition to nude shades, fashionable tones that are involved in creating the image - print dresses, for example. Thus, clothes for nails fit into the overall harmony. The colder it is on the street, the more the color of the manicure shifts to the cold side of the spectrum and vice versa. This is also a kind of harmony with nature.
The classic way to perform ombre
A beautiful vertical gradient manicure created by varnishes can be done in several ways. But the most common, even academic, is the gradient made by the method of imprinting a sponge. Its essence is as follows: a regular household sponge for washing dishes with small pores (the finer they are, the better the print will be) cut into small sponges, the size of which is slightly larger than the nail. For convenience, some grab one side of the sponge with a clothespin so as not to accidentally get their hands dirty.
Strips of varnish are applied to the sponge, slightly overlapping. Check the print on a piece of plastic, and in case of insufficiently colorful print add a layer of varnish to the sponge. Only when the control print meets all the requirements, it is done on the nail. The first time - in the center, the second - with a shift upward by half a millimeter, the third - with a shift down.
Expert Advice
When cutting a sponge, they often make a mistake: cut into small pieces. To be able to saturate the sponge enough, you will need quite high pieces. That is, several strips, approximately two centimeter wide, are cut across the width of the sponge. Since the thickness of the sponge is also two centimeters, a stamp with a square base is obtained.
To perform a vertical gradient on the nails, and not on the side rollers, there is a special tool called a defender. It is an adhesive-like compound that dries very quickly and is removed by a film, leaving skin clean. If a little varnish gets on it - it does not matter, it will remain on the film and will not appear on the skin.
For a more thorough cleaning of the rollers and cuticles, dip an orange stick into the nail polish remover and collect it from the skin.
Stretching color gel polish
Regular varnish dries very quickly and requires speed to complete designs. Another thing is gel or gel polish: it polymerizes with a lamp, so you can take your time. Many masters can share their favorite way of making a vertical gradient on nails with gel. This can be the use of a fan or flat art brushes, one is better able to stretch the companion tone over the main background with a thin brush, the other is convenient to simply apply the gel from the bottle and wait until it spreads and the color transition occurs naturally.
The video shows a method in which the master works with brushes from a bottle. This method is good for neon gels. They are transparent and applied to a white substrate. A little gel of a different color, however, a close shade, will not harm the composition of the bottle. Protection is made by the defender, the final cleansing of unnecessary smears on the skin - with a brush dipped in the clinser.
Fan brush
For a gradient, a fan brush is usually used with sparkles, fine glitter or pigment. Glittering dust is collected from the jar on it and applied to the edge of the nail, acting in several movements, as if driving sparkles into the main background. Such strokes can damage the unpolymerized layer, so the background is dried and stretched on the top, and then sent to the lamp.
They act similarly when stretching with color: they cover the background, which make up the palette of two gradient participants. A transition color is obtained, on which, after drying, one tone is applied from one end, the other from the other. The middle should remain a neutral zone, that is, not affected by contrasting varnishes. They occupy the area of the left and right sides of the nail near the side rollers.
The vertical gradient on the nails, the photo of which is presented above, was smoothed with holographic varnish to smooth out minor defects. After polymerization, it is usually seen how the result is obtained. And before applying the top, you can decide whether to apply additional shine. If you use a top without a sticky layer, you can make a mirror rub - this is now true. But you can simply coat your nails with varnish with a chrome or holographic effect.
Cosmetic sponge work
With the apparent similarity of technology, this method differs from working with a sponge and requires a certain skill. The sponge immediately covers the entire surface of the nail. The sponge is too small for this purpose; therefore, several tones are not applied to it.
The procedure for performing a vertical gradient with gel on nails:
- After standard preparation of the nails, a substrate is applied to them. It can be a transitional color between two partners or completely new. Do not diligently paint over the sides of the nail - a contrasting color will be applied to them and close all imperfections. Polymerize the layer in the lamp. Stickiness is not removed.
- One of the companion flowers is recruited to the sponge. Print on a palette to get rid of excess volume. The print should not be dense, but sparse.
- Starting from the transition area of the proximal cushion in the lateral, the color on the nail is gently printed, moving diagonally to the center. Vertical gradient - a nail design in which a color transition passes along the central axis of the finger. Therefore, you need to ensure that the prints do not go to the middle. Work on the extreme third of the nail.
- The next step is to paint the side of the nail. Apply color tightly. If necessary, gain a new portion for sponge.
- Repeat the action with a different color for the opposite side of the nail.
- Now you should wait until the gel hides the coarseness of the prints. One of the positive properties of the gel is self-leveling.
- Send a hand to the lamp.
If desired, you can apply a drawing using a gradient as a background. If it is not needed, it is coated with a top, polymerized, and the dispersion is removed.
Ombre Drawings
Designers quickly found out that the simplest drawings look great on the color transition. Moreover, stamping offers rich opportunities for this. The black mesh is popular, which turns the nail into a kind of Venetian mosaic. Even a few freehand touches will already divide the color and create intrigue in the neighborhood of tones that are close in gamma. Two companions are used for the background. Such a vertical gradient on the nails with gel varnishes is performed. A photo of a common lattice pattern is shown below.
In the weave of the lattice, you can put small rhinestones or broths. Black will emphasize the knots of the forged cast-iron grate, gold or silver will create a festive mood. For them, it is better to print the grid in white.
This season, geometric shapes are very fashionable - triangles, rectangles, various semicircles and ovals. They are easy to perform in the technique of airbrushing. They create the illusion of playing faces on a polished stone. But if there is no airbrush, it does not matter. The stencils that are used for it are reusable and very convenient. You can work with them in a sponge, creating partial gradients in stencil-limited spaces.
Interesting festive decor
Design of nails with funny triangles is not suitable for a ceremonial reception. Swarovski crystals are needed here. The stones are selected of different facets and of different sizes, they highlight the incrustation zone on the nail and select an expressive background. Stylists advise this year to draw out all the possibilities of a vertical gradient on the nails.
Design with gel varnishes is always associated with the fuzziness of the pattern on the dispersion background, forced to wash it with a master for a better surface. But in this case, the gel spreads, which leads to blurry lines. Therefore, they use acrylic paints for stamping. But not in the case of ombre. Here, the ability of the gel to spread over the surface serves for an excellent color transition, which is not possible with simple varnishes.
Easiest drawing
When you want to look fashionable and stylish, but there is no lamp at hand, make an ombre. Any two varnishes are suitable for it. If they thicken in bottles - dilute them with a few drops of a special tool. It is important to remember that nail polish remover will not work - it destroys the varnish, it coagulates, deteriorates.
Even if the artist’s talent is completely absent, it’s possible to do a cross between the lattice, geometry and stripes of the zebra. To do this, imprint the gradient in any convenient way, and then make a few strokes with a brush. For a contrasting drawing take black acrylic paint or varnish with a thin brush for design.
Apply strokes confidently and quickly from the edge of the nail to the center. Accuracy is not needed here - it's handmade! Here is what a nice vertical gradient on the nails with the decor turned out!
The most popular design option
Nude manicure, like a French jacket, has become a classic and is changing in accordance with fashion. These are discreet combinations of beige or pink with various shades of gray-brown scale. This option is in demand not only in the office, but also perfectly suits receptions and celebrations. Only in this case it is complemented by brilliance.
This season, it is more decorative than usual and is performed in the form of a vertical gradient on the nails with gel polishes of gray with pink colors.
Conclusion
This type of design is very practical: its multicolor allows you to choose the right tones for any situation. Nor can you call it motley. This is a stylish decor that attracts attention. He can demonstrate the impeccable taste of the hostess, and does not require mandatory appeal to specialists.
Although the easiest way is to perform a vertical gradient on the nails with gel varnishes, with a certain patience and accuracy, it is available for home use in a varnish version. Even using it on one nail will make you fashionable. Try it and you will succeed.