The classic blue color is also relevant in the new season for masters in make-up and manicure, makeup artists, hairdressers and fashion designers. The latest trends and stylish novelties that appear in photos in glossy magazines and on Instagram of popular fashion houses often contain restrained shades of blue in combination with other colors.
Blue tones are suitable for any occasion, appropriate for any age and image, and the versatility of the color scheme allows you to combine its shades in manicure in a wide variety of techniques.
Features of manicure in blue for short and long nails
Blue is a basic color and therefore versatile. It looks good on short and long nails of any shape.
However, there are some general rules for manicure on short nails:
- preference should be given to the almond or oval shape, since it is they that allow you to visually lengthen the nail, which is important when choosing such a rich and dark shade as blue;
- nails should be exactly the same length;
- if the design is planned to be multi-colored, then on short nails you should limit yourself to 3 different colors.
Who should choose blue for a manicure and when
The blue color is suitable for evening, everyday and business manicure. In the latter case, it is recommended to give preference to dark or matte shades with short length of nails.
The general rule prescribes to choose warm shades of blue for women of warm color types (Autumn, Spring), in the appearance of which a golden tone prevails, and cold ones - for Summer and Winter color types, whose skin is pale, and an ash tint is clearly expressed in hair color.
Matte or glossy?
Matte smooths out bright hues and saturated colors. This property allows the use of rather catchy tones of blue in a formal setting. Matte nail polish is suitable for both long and short nails. Another noticeable advantage is that matte finish lasts much longer than glossy.
Glossy shine, on the contrary, makes any design, even the simplest one, elegant and festive. This is the best choice for evening or wedding manicure.
Blue manicure with gel polish and shellac
Shellac - one of the types of gel polish produced by Creative Nail Design differs from gel polish in a unique composition, which gives the product greater durability, which makes the manicure last longer with it. In addition, in shellac, regular varnish is combined with UV varnish, this allows it to be applied without the use of primers. A thinner layer injures the nail plate less and can be removed quite easily.
French in blue
A manicure in blue tones (the photo demonstrates this the best way possible) is especially good when combined with blue with white, gold or silver. To make french manicure in blue tones lighter, use a clear or nude varnish for the main part of the nail and blue for its edge.
This type of jacket can be combined with white or blue sparkles (1-2 nails should be highlighted with them) or emphasize the line of differentiation of shades with a floral pattern. An interesting novelty was the idea of combining lunar and French manicure in one design. In this case, both the hole and the edge of the nail are highlighted in blue.
Gradient and ombre
The current trend of the 2019-2020 season is a geometric gradient without a blurry transition between shades. On the nail plate, covered with a dense layer of varnish, a clear triangle is drawn, directed at an acute angle to the edge of the nail, and smaller triangles of lighter or darker shades are alternately inscribed in it. Triangles can also overlap.
The design is interesting in that the drawing creates a kind of 3D effect, and the color transition occurs in stages, from element to element, maintaining a clear border between shades.
A manicure in blue tones, photo examples confirm this, it is difficult to imagine without an ombre with blurred color transitions, for example, from thick black to rich blue or from white to light blue or blue. Such a design is effective both in itself and as a basis for a more complex nail art.
You can give an unusual look to the usual ombre by changing its location on the nail plate. So, an angular (from one corner of the nail to another) or vertical gradient is extremely relevant.
Rubbing
A simple, but very effective design with rubbing looks especially good in this color. Monochrome manicure in sapphire, cobalt, blueberry shades are ideal for an evening laconic but stylish look, which is easy to do at home and on a regular varnish.
To do this, the nail is covered with a transparent base, then a thick varnish (for example, black) is applied in 2 layers, and only after it has completely dried out with a sponge, a blue rub is rubbed in. At the end, a transparent or glossy top is applied for regular varnish.
Rubbing allows you to give the nail a mirror, chrome, metal, pearl, velvety look - it all depends on your own imagination.
Geometry
Matte blue manicure is perfect for geometric designs in the form of neat triangles in different sizes. In this case, it is appropriate to combine different colors (blue, beige, burgundy, pale pink), but also textures (for example, combine matte blue varnish with shiny colored varnish to draw geometric patterns).
To create a more fun everyday design, you can combine glossy blue varnish and bright neon shades (pink, blue, purple, lime green) in one design for a dotted pattern of concentric rings.
Stripes
Longitudinal stripes look interesting, on their own or in combination with a dotted or floral pattern.
At home, you can create the simplest two-color design:
- conditionally divide the nail lengthwise into 2 parts;
- paint over one half with blue and the other with nude varnish;
- highlight the color delimitation line with a thin black line or a line of silver rhinestones.
Melange
This fashionable accessory is also called sugar or marmalade. It is a fine matte crystalline crumb of various shades and is used to create Candy Chic designs.
In order for the melange to hold well, it is applied to a wet gel polish, covering the nail platinum with a dense layer. After the melange is poured onto the varnish, the nail is dried under an LED lamp, and the remaining crumbs are shaken off with a stiff brush.
You can cover the entire nail plate with melange, combining this design with a monochromatic glossy or matte varnish on other nails, or use it for moon, geometric or French manicure.
Sand
Sand or velvet manicure is created in a similar way. A fine velvety powder is applied to the wet varnish to simulate a fleecy, suede-like texture. This coating has several varieties (fractions): large, medium (flock) and small.The first one is more suitable for professional manicure, the other two can be used at home.
Sand can be applied to the entire nail plate (as an independent decor or as a base for more complex manicure options, such as gradients, geometric designs or rhinestones). In this case, the top is not applied, since it will hide the main feature of the coating - velvety. It is also used to create patterns on a matte or glossy finish, similar to expensive panne velvet.
Broken glass
A manicure in blue tones, a photo of which instantly flooded Instagram, is, first of all, nail art "broken glass". The original design appeared a couple of years ago in South Korea and instantly became a fashion trend. Shattered Glass Nails looks great on dark backgrounds - black or blue.
To create the desired effect, pieces of silver, golden or multi-colored foil are glued to the varnished nail plate in random order or in accordance with the intended pattern. And for fixing the nail is covered with a shiny top.
Molding
A real work of art can be called a design made in the form of modeling with acrylics or gel polish. It is very good both in delicate nude tones and in the form of a multi-color floral arrangement. 3D design, like no other, is able to convey all the beauty of Chinese painting, but only a professional can do it.
Nail art with imitation of a knitted pattern is also suitable for short square-rounded nails and long nails of a sharp or almond shape.
Yuki
The design, made with Yuki flakes, resembles rubbing or foiling. However, in essence, these flakes are compressed into individual pieces of pigments, allowing you to create a chameleon effect.
You can apply them in different ways, the final look of the nails depends on this, while you can not even remove the sticky layer from the gel polish or apply directly to the base gel polish.
Using a silicone brush or applying the flakes with your finger without breaking individual pieces can simulate a marble finish. You can also rub it into the nail. Depending on the intensity, it will be possible to achieve either an absolutely smooth chrome or soft textured effect.
Flakes look especially advantageous on a dark base, such as dark blue. You can fix the result with a top, while Yuki will not lose either shine or decorativeness. On the contrary, under the matte top, this design will sparkle with new colors.
Droplets
Photo of water droplets This unusual design really resembles water droplets. To do it, you can use a dots or a thin brush. On a completely dried color gel coat, gel polish is dotted, which is carefully shaped into a droplet. In this case, it is important to ensure that the drops do not spread and do not merge. The finished design is carefully dried under a lamp.
Black shiny drops on a black matte background, transparent drops on a vertical gradient look spectacular, but this manicure is most expressive if it is made in blue colors.
Broths
Broths are glass beads of different diameters. The entire surface of the nail is sprinkled with small broths, various patterns are laid out with larger ones, the edge of the nail with a jacket or a smile with a moon design.
They are applied to the still wet varnish and dried well. To minimize the problems that may arise if this bulky piece of decor gets caught in clothes or hair, it is covered with a top. However, it is better to leave the broths for evening or wedding designs.
Kamifubuki
Confetti, or kamifubuki, are small pieces of foil or plastic in a round, diamond-shaped, or other shape. Most often they are sold in a package of several sizes and shades at once. Attach them to a still wet base in any order or in the form of a pattern.
The French manicure made using this technique looks original and fresh.Using confetti of several similar shades, you can lay out the drawing in the form of a gradient against the background of a shiny monochromatic varnish.
"Cat's Eye"
Magnetic varnish has a huge variety of colors and shades. It is great for blue manicure. To get the desired glare, gently move the magnet to the still wet nail polish. Different ways of using magnets can achieve different reflections.
"Cat's eye" is appropriate for a laconic everyday style. It will also provide an excellent foundation for complex multi-component designs.
Sequins and rhinestones
A manicure for special occasions requires shine. And a calm blue tone, like no other, is well suited for sequins, broths and rhinestones. This design is also effective in photographs.
Sequins come in different sizes. The smallest ones are called "give" ("dust" in translation from English), the larger ones are called "glitter". There are several ways to apply glitter. You can apply them in a continuous layer, completely rupture the nail plate.
Using a brush with sparkles, you can paint over a part of the pattern, a hole in the moon manicure, or make a "stretch" when a dense strip of sparkles gradually fades away. The edge or base of the nail is formed with such a "strap". Against a blue background, green sparkles in this technique resemble digital design.
Rhinestones go well with sequins. Like broths, they can give your nails a luxurious festive look. However, for everyday manicure, you can use a reasonable amount of rhinestones. For example, apply them in the form of a jacket or double jacket, pyramid, wave or shirt.
Monogram
The design in the form of monograms seems complicated or even pretentious, but it can be done even at home. It goes well with a small amount of rhinestones, broths, ombre, "cat's eye", sand.
Monograms are applied to the dried nail plate, coated with colored or transparent gel polish, with a thin brush, dots or toothpick. Curls should be done with a very thick gel polish. It almost does not spread and allows you to adjust the pattern. If desired, the still wet monogram can be sprinkled with sparkles, dried and removed with a stiff brush.
White, black, gold or silver monograms are traditionally painted on a blue background. Another option is to use different shades of blue for the background and the picture itself.
Knitted patterns
A manicure in the form of a knitted pattern makes a very cozy, home-like impression. It looks great on short nails. Suitable for matt and glossy varnishes. This technique works well with gradients. At the same time, different nails can be decorated with similar shades of the same color, and not one nail plate.
Blue knitted manicure does not look so strict if it is supplemented with lilac, blue, purple, pale pink, white tones.
Another option is to draw a Norwegian pattern in the form of stylized snowflakes or a simpler pattern in the form of front loops on a plain background instead of a volumetric imitation of knitting.
Small drawings
For everyday manicure, small simple drawings are quite suitable.
Using an ordinary toothpick or dots, you can draw a light floral pattern:
- apply a white dot on the treated and blue-lacquered nail;
- put 5 larger dots around it with blue varnish;
- if desired, you can highlight the center of the flower with a rhinestone.
Such small flowers can be placed diagonally, from one corner of the nail plate to another, or in random order, all over the nail. However, the most elegant and simple look is a kind of vignette of one flower drawn in the corner of the nail and a scattering of dots of different diameters on either side of it.
The Dragonfly pattern is just as simple to draw. In the middle of the nail plate with a toothpick, 5 points are placed in a row (each less than the previous one), and then large droplets are placed on both sides of the second point (at a short distance) and carefully pulled out with a toothpick towards the little body. It turns out the body of a dragonfly from 5 points and 4 wings.
Lettering
Manicure in blue tones (the photo illustrates this perfectly) has another current trend - slider design. It looks great on a classic jacket and matte manicure, with ombre and on nails covered with a glossy transparent or monochromatic (light or bright) varnish. It can be combined with kamifubuki, decorate the top with glitter or rhinestones.
It takes experience to write a short word or phrase on a nail plate, but this design is easier than it sounds. You can use a special sticker with a ready-made inscription. It should be soaked in hot water to make it easier to remove from the substrate and apply to the nail. After the film has been removed, a neat inscription will remain on the surface of the nail.
The slider design is suitable for regular nail polish as well as gel polish and acrylic. In this way, you can apply not only inscriptions of varying complexity, but also complex multicolor patterns and flower arrangements.
Blue manicure with foil
A thick, rich blue varnish is a good base for foil designs. Against such a background, gold or silver metallic sheen looks especially advantageous.
To create such a manicure, a piece of foil (always matte side) is gently pressed against a completely dried nail plate covered with 2 layers of gel polish, pressed down and abruptly torn off in one motion. The foil is suitable for both glossy and matt varnishes. Likewise, a top finish can be matte or shiny.
Blue with gold
Most of these techniques can be performed in a versatile blue and gold color scheme. It gives a touch of luxury to manicure and is ideal for design.
A laconic blue jacket (matte or glossy) with the edge of the nail, on which a dense strip of gold foil is applied, looks especially stylish.
Blue with silver
Blue in combination with silver looks no less luxurious, but somewhat cold. This is the best option for a winter wedding manicure.
In blue and silver tones, you can perform a French or moon manicure, paint silver patterns on a blue background, or combine a blue monochromatic nail polish with 102 fingers completely covered in silver glitter.
The combination of blue with other colors
Blue symbolizes seriousness, loyalty, wisdom and good luck. It has always been given special importance, since the color of the sky could not but be associated with the sphere of the divine and the unknown.
Until now, the blue color gives the manicure a touch of solemnity and luxury. However, its main advantage is hundreds of the most diverse shades, which allow you to create thousands of design options for any occasion.
Since blue is considered the coldest color of the entire palette, it mainly forms contrasting combinations.
|
blue + | The main color with which it is combined | Sample shades |
| pink or coral | magenta, fuchsia, raspberry, barbie, lavender | |
| red or burgundy (it is recommended to complement with white, black or beige) | scarlet, cherry, watermelon, marsala, wine, pomegranate | |
| orange or peach | orange, carrot, pumpkin, orange-coral, sienna, brick, caramel | |
| yellow or gold | banana, canary, apricot, saffron, honey | |
| warm green | chartreuse, pistachio, olive green, green apple | |
| cold green | mint, jade, emerald, malachite | |
| blue or cyan | aquamarine, topaz, cyan, dark blue, black sea color, Prussian blue |
Nail art in shades of blue opens up a lot of room for imagination.Numerous photos on social networks and fashion magazines present thousands of its options, which greatly facilitates the choice and allows you to choose a universal and stylish design for yourself for all occasions.
Video with blue manicure design ideas
What design to make for a blue manicure: