Leopard manicure has been in trend for several seasons. He can be seen in photos in famous magazines, on social media profiles and during fashion shows on models' nails. Leopard design is combined with many execution techniques, but even with the classic version it remains self-sufficient and can be used as a single nail art on nails.
General recommendations
In the photo, a leopard manicure can be seen in various colors. The standard color remains classic, in which the base color is white, cream or beige. Blots are applied in shades several shades darker than the main color.
Copper, terracotta, brown and bronze colors are often used. For framing, use standard black or dark brown shades such as coffee.
In the classic style, it would be better to give up a lot of stains on one nail. For a short nail plate, the classic version is great due to its minimalistic design in light colors, but it will also be an excellent option for medium and long nails.
When using non-standard bright colors, for example, blue, green, purple or too dark: black, brown, it is better to apply them on long or medium nails. For owners of pointed nails, for example, a stiletto, the leopard design will not work due to the fact that it will seem unfinished.
The leopard will look best in a soft square shape, almond-shaped or rounded.
There are many techniques for applying leopard manicure, among which are:
- standard drawings with a brush, needle or toothpick;
- dotsom drawings;
- stamping technique;
- water sliders;
- stickers.
Also, the leopard can be combined with various techniques, for example:
- gradient or ombre;
- casting;
- broken glass;
- French manicure;
- volumetric forms;
- metal gel polish;
- matte interpretation;
- rubbing;
- pigment.
For the decor of leopard nail art, standard items are suitable:
- rhinestones;
- sequins;
- kamifubuki;
- glitter;
- small chips;
- velvet;
- cereals;
- shavings;
- broth;
- mica;
- stencils;
- pearl.
Techniques and methods
Tools required for classic leopard manicure with gel polishes:
- file;
- buff;
- milling cutter;
- remover;
- nippers;
- scissors;
- painting tools: manicure brush, toothpick, needle, dots, primer;
- basic coverage;
- at least three colored gel polishes of different shades;
- finishing coating;
- decor (if necessary).
Technique for performing a standard leopard manicure:
- Carry out a complete treatment of the nail plate: remove the previous coating, wash down the nail, give the required shape and length with a file.
- Treat the skin around the nail with a cuticle remover, router, nippers, scissors or pusher.
- Apply a primer to the nail plate for better adhesion of the base to the nail. Wait until the primer is completely dry.
- Apply a clear base coat, cure in UV or Ice lamp.
- Apply the selected color coat, which will serve as the main background, to the base. Cure in a lamp. If necessary, apply gel polish in two layers.
- Apply small spots on the selected nails using a manicure brush, needle, toothpick or dots. Dry in a lamp.
- Around the stains, frame with a darker shade of varnish with a manicure brush and dry again in the lamp.
- Apply top coat, remove tack if necessary.
- Decorate the nail.
For a leopard manicure, it is best to use dense, well-pigmented varnishes. This is especially true for gel polish that will be used to apply stains. It should keep its shape well and at the same time not spread on the nails. Leopard manicure can also be created using water sliders with the appropriate print.
This requires:
- Completely process the nail and prepare it for the design.
- Apply base coat, cure in the lamp.
- Apply black or white gel polish to be used as a substrate to nails. Dry in a lamp.
- Cut the sliders to fit the nail, remove the protective film, dip the sliders in water, or place them on a cotton pad well soaked in water. When the top layer is easily peeled off the backing paper, the design can be transferred to the nail. You can use soft brushes or your finger to smooth over the coating. Remove excess parts of the slider with nail polish remover.
- Secure the nail art with a top coat.
Making a leopard print using the stamping technique:
- Prepare the nail for the application of gel polish, cover with a base and dry it well.
- Apply gel polish of the main color to the nail plate, polymerize in a lamp.
- Prepare a set for stamping: a plate with a leopard print, a thick gel polish of a darker shade than the main one, a scraper and a stamp.
- Apply gel polish to the plate, distribute over the pattern with a scraper. Press the stamp to the plate, and then transfer the pattern to the nail, firmly pressing the stamp to the coating. To see the result, you need to use a transparent stamp. Cure the stains in the lamp.
- If necessary, make the frame with dark gel polish.
- Cover with top, cure in a lamp.
Leopard manicure, the photo of which can be seen, is combined with many techniques. This animal print can be applied to one nail, and an additional technique on the others.
Options in different shades
Leopard manicure has many color interpretations. The most famous of these are using a red, pink, white or black backing. They can be combined with different colors. You can even use the ombre technique.
Colors that can be combined in a leopard manicure:
| Substrate color | Shades that can be combined |
| Red |
|
| Pink |
|
| Beige |
|
| Blue |
|
| Green |
|
| Violet |
|
Black and white can be combined with any of the colors.
You can also often find French manicure with a leopard print. As a rule, it is performed in light shades.You can draw a leopard on the smile line, or vice versa, use it on the nail itself.
The print can be applied in pieces and fragments using the mosaic technique. Multi-colored manicure in bright and dark shades is suitable for medium to long nails, and in pastel, muted and nude tones - for any length.
Matte manicure
Leopard manicure, whose photo can be seen on the covers of fashion magazines, is also performed in a matte interpretation. Different combination techniques with matte manicure are suitable for different colors.
When using bright shades, it is best to skip such coverage, as it can create an unnatural pallor and dullness. Classic beige and muted shades paired with leopard will look good under a matte top.
This design is suitable for owners of medium and long nails. Depending on the chosen design, you can create different looks. Leopard print can be used to cover one nail or several, and the matte top can be applied to the colored cover of the rest.
When using stencils or with proper skill with a matte top, you can draw patterns on the finished design or cover only half of the nail art, leaving the second glossy.
Variants with patterns and drawings
Leopard refers to animal patterns that are applied to the nail. Combine patterns and designs carefully so as not to overload nail art. Apart from animal prints, leopard also goes well with minimalism and geometry. Dots, lines, light strokes will be a good addition to the main design.
You can paint patterns using brushes of different thicknesses, lengths and densities. Divorces in minimalism and in animal prints are made with a sharp needle or toothpick, and dots are done with a dots or a cut toothpick.
Minimalistic patterns are suitable for owners of any shape of nails, but it is better to refuse animal patterns with a narrow or short nail plate. When decorating nail art with patterns, acrylic paints, highly pigmented gel polishes, and a matte top are used.
Decor ideas
Manicure leopard, whose photos have become popular on social networks, is decorated with almost all known methods, however, you should adhere to the tips:
- do not pile up one nail with a large amount of decor;
- it is better not to use jewelry on a nail with a leopard design;
- use no more than two decor items for one nail art.
You can often find decoration using standard rhinestones, glitter or shimmer. Rhinestones and other bulky items, such as pearls, are glued to the finished design using a special manicure glue, and flat decorations, such as glitter or kamifubuki, can be applied to the sticky layer of the colored coating.
Decorations in combination with a leopard manicure are suitable for owners of medium and long nails. With the help of the decor, you can create any image that is suitable for both office work and a shocking party. You can use any color of both the nail art itself and the jewelry. The main thing is that they are combined with each other.
Fashion trends in 2020
In 2020, natural nail shapes remain in vogue: soft square, oval and round nails. The most popular form will be almond. Unlike the previous season, pointed nails, such as the stiletto, pica, beveled and shocking beveled-twisted shape, will go out of fashion.
The colors and length of the nail plate that will be relevant this season depend on the season. For the winter period, cool and dark colors are suitable, for example, black, gray, purple and their shades on short or medium nails.
During the summer, it is best to opt for bright and saturated colors, for example:
- indigo;
- pomegranate;
- ruby;
- ultramarine;
- bright lime;
- blue-violet.
Light nude and pastel shades will be relevant for all seasons.
One of the popular nail art of 2020 in manicure will be minimalism, which is why classic French manicure will remain in fashion with a complete absence or only a small amount of decor, as well as with simple and light patterns, for example, geometry. Matte manicure, ombre and gradient will remain in trend.
For lovers of feminine manicure, monograms will come into fashion, which can be combined with various application techniques, for example:
- drawings;
- broken glass;
- casting;
- stencils.
The previously popular floral manicure will also come into fashion, which can be performed both in a volumetric style with the help of special manicure paints, and in a flat style with the help of drawings and water stickers. Lovers of sequins will also not be ignored.
In 2020, the trend will be bright kamifubuki, massive rhinestones, point manicure, as well as rubbing, among which the mirror and chameleon stand out. Leopard manicure can be found in the photo of the first issues of famous magazines in the new year.
Author: Hadesx (Ismailova Eva)
Video about leopard manicure
Leopard print on nails: