So you want to try your hand at DIY nail art, but where do you start? The first thing to do is get your hands on some basic nail art tools. This is a list of my 5 essential DIY nail art tools.
1) nail polish
The essentials are: a base coat (to prevent nail discoloration and allow the nail polish to glide on smoothly), nail polish, and a top coat (to ensure the manicure lasts more than a day). I like to use a quick dry top coat because it is very time saving and very convenient to use, but a regular top coat or clear polish is also nice to have on hand for certain more complex nail designs.
After trying many different brands, I found that investing in good quality nail polishes is very important. They are more expensive, but they are worth it because they last longer, they dry faster and they do not clump. I have had such bad experiences with cheap nail polish that now I only stick with brands that I have used before (and like) and big name brands. Orly, OPI, China Glaze, Sally Hansen, and Essie are some of the good guys. It’s also a good idea to try nail polish from a brand you haven’t tried before purchasing.
2) nail pointers
Nail pointers help create dot and circle patterns. I use them all the time to create simple polka dot designs. They come in a variety of sizes. To begin with, it will be good to have in your hands one that has a medium-sized round tip at one end and a small one at the other so that you can choose the size of the points you want to create.
HOW TO USE: Find a plastic sheet and put a few drops of nail polish on it. I like to use business cards that are tough and feel a bit sticky because they are small and disposable. Dip the round tip of your dotter into the nail polish. Try to make a few dots on the ID sheet / card until you get the correct size and consistency you want. Do the same on the surface of your nail. Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as it can make the points look deformed. Remember to clean them after use and dry them well. These tools are made of metal and are susceptible to rust.
DO YOURSELF: It’s also easy to create your own nail pointer using things you have around your house. Forks are an inexpensive and convenient alternative. Just fold them out and use the round tips at the end just like normal pointers. Because all you need is a round end, you can use anything that looks like a pointer, like the back of the lid of an eyeliner pencil, for example.
3) Nail tracers
These, to me, are absolutely essential. They are nail polishes that come with a long, fine brush instead of the usual flat and wide ones. I use them to paint lines and add random pops of color. They are so easy to use and so versatile. I recommend getting two colors, black and white, when you first start out. Brands like LA Colors have a wide range of colors and are quite cheap, so have fun!
If you don’t want to have to buy a new polish every time you want to try another color, you can also get a brush to trace nails. However, not all brushes are good for nail polish. I tried nail polish on some and they completely ruined the hairs on the brush. Use water-based nail paint if necessary. This makes cleaning the brushes much easier. If you’ve used nail polish, use acetone, some soapy water, and a paper towel to clean your brush.
4) stationery tape
Ever wonder how DIY nail artists create super neat and straight lines and stripes? With tape you can create many different striped and geometric designs.
Stationery tape is one of the best tools for nail art. Any type of regular duct tape is fine, but you can experiment and see which one gives you the best results. They are ideal for creating sharp lines and geometric shapes. Just cut the tape to the desired strip / shape, stick it on your nail and paint. Easy as that!
HELPFUL TIPS:
- However, always make sure your base nail polish is completely dry. Use a quick-drying top coat like Seche Vite if you don’t want to wait.
- Cut the tape before you start painting your nails to avoid smudging when you try to cut it with wet nails.
- Stick the tape somewhere easy to remove so it won’t get stuck when you want to stick it on your nails.
- Use tweezers to remove the tape to avoid accidentally messing up your nails.
- If you mess up, you don’t have to start all over again. Use a nail brush and touch up where needed. This usually fixes the problem.
5) Nail brushes
If you are really serious about nail art, you may want to consider investing in a good set of nail art brushes. The main types of nail art brushes are fan brushes, flat brushes, angled flat brushes, thin brushes (for details), and long strokes. These brushes can be conveniently (and quite affordably) purchased in one set. The Monster New Pro 20pc Nail Art Design Brushes Bundle from Amazon is a pretty good bargain and it comes with a dotter.
DO YOURSELF: You don’t need to use nail art brushes for nail art, you could even use your regular brush. Just cut it out to the shape you want and use it as a nail brush! It is convenient and cheaper to start with a brush.