Aquarium design on nails. Photo, technique for beginners with sparkles, dried flowers, water inside

Thanks to the improvement of the formula of materials and the professionalism of the nail service masters, complex designs, including the aquarium design, have become available to the fair sex. When doing it a unique effect is created on the nails, and the technique itself allows you to use almost any decor.

General recommendations

Since ancient times, stones with insects and plants frozen in them have been highly valued. Thanks to the use of transparent or translucent materials in the nail industry, it has become possible to repeat this effect on nails.

Giving a wide scope for experimentation, this technique has formed a whole direction in the field of nail art. All design elements are sealed in the middle of a transparent material, which visually resembles an aquarium.

It gained its popularity due to many factors:

• versatile;
• applicable with decor of any character;
• harmonious with both pastel and bright shades;
• performed with any hard material (gel, acrylic, acrygel).

The masters of nail service fell in love with aquarium design because it is perfectly combined with other types of techniques:

• modeling;
• patterns;
• foam manicure;
• gradient;
• french.

The complexity of performing such a manicure largely depends on the chosen design and skills in working with materials.

Features of the artificial material used for aquarium technology:

Today, the most popular are gel and polygel. However, unpleasant sensations may occur due to the heat generated during polymerization. For a thin and sensitive nail plate, acrylic can be used.

Techniques and methods

Aquarium nail design is a rather complicated technique. It looks most impressive on nails of medium length and more. Therefore, when performing a manicure, you must have modeling skills. The exception is when the design does not require a long transparent free edge.

Considering that artificial materials are used to create the correct architecture, proper preparation of a natural plate is necessary:

1. Hand antiseptic treatment.
2. Hardware manicure.
3. Sawdust of a natural nail (shaping, removing gloss from the plate).
4. Brushing and degreasing.
5. Applying a dehydrator to the nail.
6. Application of a primer.
7. Covering with a thin layer of base.

The implementation of this scheme will provide a good adhesion of the construction materials and the plate, increase the wearing time of the manicure.

The execution technique implies the observance of the order of the main stages:

1. Creation of a thin matte.
2. Application of all design elements.
3. Overlapping with transparent material.
4. Top application.

How the steps are performed depends on the method chosen.Aquarium design can be made with bottom (paper) or top (plastic) molds. Each method has its own capabilities and nuances.

Features of using various forms:

Bottom forms are very popular both in salons and for home use. First of all, you need to correctly substitute the form. The applied markings are a hint for maintaining the center axis and the length of the free edge.

Then a thin substrate is formed by the material. After drying in a lamp, it will act as the basis for the design. At this stage, the filing of the form is performed. Before applying the "aquarium" layer of transparent material, it is necessary to fix the elements of the future design. Otherwise, by spreading the thick gel with a brush, you can move the structure.

The order of the technique for performing manicure on the upper forms is different:

1. On the inside of the plastic tips, apply a middle layer of transparent material with smearing movements.
2. After placing the mold on the nail, this layer will be responsible for the architecture.
3. Then you can proceed to creating a design, fixing the decor. You need to place it face down. This technique allows you to see the final result by flipping the tips over.
4. After completing the layout, a small amount of material is distributed over the structure.
5. The ready-to-dry form is placed on a prepared nail and sent to the lamp.
6. After a complete polymerization cycle, the design must be covered with a layer of topcoat. It creates a gloss on the surface.

Ideas for a solid color manicure

Aquarium design on nails is performed to create the effect of a conceived design, texture, pattern or decor frozen in the water column. At the same time, most of the nail or the free edge remains almost transparent. However, this embodiment is not a standard.

If desired, a colored coating is applied to the surface before creating a voluminous manicure.

Depending on the general design idea, these can be:

• gel polish;
• camouflage bases, gels;
• pigments;
• gel paints.

The listed materials are different in purpose, density, method of application. This technique is especially relevant when performing manicure on a natural nail plate. Its free edge lacks transparency.

In this case, you can perform a monochromatic manicure with an effect similar to the aquarium one. It is achieved by applying a shade of material that overlaps the color of a natural nail.

The shade can have a translucent structure (milky, pale pink) or be densely pigmented. After that, decoration and coating with a transparent gel or polygel are performed. Thick materials create the necessary thickness to maintain nail architecture and visual volume.

A solid color aquarium design on simulated nails is used less often. This technique allows for more expressive and complex combinations.

Options in different shades

Aquarium design provides nail artists with incredible opportunities for experimentation. This method allows you to create unique masterpieces, having in stock a limited color palette.By combining varnishes, other coatings on the nails, as well as decor with each other, you can expand the variety of available designs.

Ways to combine colors:

• the use of contrasting shades;
• application of shades in a close color range;
• combine material of different density (stained glass varnish and pigmented);
• use matte varnishes and shimmers.

A well-known technique among masters is coloring the fingers of one hand in different shades. This allows you to dilute the monotony of the manicure or create an accent on several of them. Aquarium designs work well with other techniques to combine different shades.

The gradient is executed as a smooth transition from one color to another. The technique can use 2 or more shades. This coating serves as the basis for future design. Pastel colors are suitable for everyday wear. They will add romance and lightness. Clients who are open to experimentation can be offered a brighter palette of shades.

Often a manicure technique is used with an aquarium, which allows you to combine materials of different shades. It creates an effect similar to marble, haze or ink dissolved in water. The drawing can be chaotic or complementary to the general idea.

To give shimmer in such designs, craftsmen use glitter varnishes, shimmers, mica. When you turn your hand, shiny elements shine in the sun's rays.

Matte manicure

The aquarium nail design with a matte top creates an extraordinary effect. After its application, the previously completely transparent material visually resembles fogged glass. Designs with stretch marks of a different color look especially impressive.

Stretching means the application of gel polish or other material until it disappears completely. The color is applied in a middle layer, after which the material is gradually stretched to the edge. Moving away from the place of initial application, it becomes thinner and more transparent. Depending on the desired result, stretching can be started both from the cuticle and from the free edge.

Craftsmen often frame such designs with designs of rhinestones and stones, dried flowers, sparkles and shimmer. A similar effect looks very summer-like with fimo decor. These decorative elements, made in the form of fruit, are located in a transparent material.

After covering with a matte layer, a glossy top is dotted at the locations of the decor. Creates the effect of a misted glass with ice and fruit.

Variants with patterns and pictures

The aquarium design on the nails allows you to capture a particle of nature. It is precisely because of the desire to give the design a natural look that the masters use drawings and patterns that are similar to those existing in nature.

The most popular ones are:

• scales, fish, algae, waves;
• flowers, branches, plants;
• fruits, berries;
• insects
• snowflakes.

The nautical theme of design is especially popular during the holidays. The easiest to draw are algae and scales. Flowers in the technique of Chinese painting look incredibly beautiful under a layer of transparent material.

Sometimes craftsmen make an aquarium by applying transparent material only to the drawing. Three-dimensional images of fruit or insects stand out on the matte surface.

To complete most of the listed drawings, you will need artistic talent, skills in using a thin brush, and a palette of necessary shades. Not every master has the professionalism to perform complex drawings, let alone beginners.

Decor ideas

The lack of artistic ability to complete a drawing or pattern can be compensated for by the skillful use of decor.

According to the method of application in aquarium design, they can be divided into 2 groups:

• Elements that have characteristics that make it possible to cover them with a transparent layer of material in compliance with the architecture of the nail can be attributed.Their thickness, flexibility, graininess, material of manufacture do not interfere with alignment. As a result, decorative elements are sealed inside the nail. The aquarium layer will not hide the beauty of such a decor, but, on the contrary, will add volume.
• Combines convex, coarse-grained, volumetric elements. They are used for decoration on the surface of the nail. They complement the created aquarium design. Depending on the size and location on the nail, the technique of their attachment may differ.

Grouping of decor depending on the method of application:

Modern stickers and sliders can replace drawings of any complexity. There are even volumetric (embossed) options. They are as easy to use and affordable as possible.

There are three main ways of fixing the decor:

• To the top. The stickiness remaining after drying it is suitable for holding fine powder and glitter, foil, flakes, shavings, sliders. The material is sprinkled on the nail, applied with a brush or sponge.
• On the gel. It is a stronger material. Well suited for attaching crystals of small size broths, large sequins, dried flowers, various sand and crumbs. After applying the gel and decor, the design is polymerized in the lamp.
• On a polygel. Being a mixture of acrylic and gel, the material is able to withstand large rhinestones, stones, various compositions of them. A small amount of material is applied to the location of the future structure, stones are strengthened, and polymerized in a lamp. The density of the material does not allow the structure to float on the surface of the nail, breaking the symmetry.

A mandatory step for any fastening technique is to overlap the result with a top. Particular attention should be paid to the area where rhinestones and stones are located. The finishing material should not fall on their surface due to the possible loss of gloss.

The most difficult option for aquarium manicure is the design inside, which contains water. When you move your hand, the water flows smoothly, creating bubbles. This technique became possible due to the use of rigid construction materials capable of quickly solidifying in the lamp.

A plastic tip is placed on a pre-formed smooth substrate of the future nail. Its size should be a few millimeters smaller than the substrate. The joints are held together by construction material, leaving free space at the cuticle.

Small sequins or other chosen decor of a suitable size are placed in the resulting cavity. Then, using a syringe, fill the remaining space with distilled water or glycerin. The last step is alignment with architecture. The sealed fluid moves the decor as it moves, creating a shimmer.

Fashion trends in 2020

Since its inception, aquarium design has always been in trend. This is due to its ability to harmoniously fit into various new techniques, enhancing their effect on the nails.

The popularity of various aquarium options varies with the seasons:

• In the summer, bright colors, shimmering sparkles, marine and fruit themes are more popular.
• In spring, delicate manicure options with dried flowers and butterflies are popular.
• Shades of red, burgundy, yellow gel polish are in demand in the autumn months. Twigs and leaves of dried flowers look very aesthetically pleasing in such designs.
• The shimmering winter theme looks relevant in the cold season. Designs with a New Year theme look especially fabulous. As a rule, they depict Christmas balls, voluminous snowflakes, glasses of champagne and other attributes of the holiday.

Aquarium design is not the easiest manicure technique possible. It requires minimal skills in working with forms and artificial material on the nails.

Video about aquarium nail design

Aquarium design technique: