Stretch manicure is the same gradient or ombre. That is, it is a smooth transition of one color to another: from dark to light, from one tone to another, etc.
This manicure is performed very, very simply. Even on your own, you can easily repeat it for yourself, having the necessary materials at hand. And, as a result, a beautiful manicure for any occasion.
Design Benefits
Stretching manicure is loved not only by clients, but also by nail technicians, as it has many advantages:
- Ease of execution. To make such a design, you need a brush or sponge. And everyone has such tools.
- This design is not whimsical to either regular polish or gel polish. It is easily made with any of these dyes.
- Manicure-stretching is practical in everyday life. Its owner can safely do the usual things, and the gradient will not change itself in any way.
- Manicure can be done smooth (brush) or rough (sponge).
- By stretching the color, you don't have to mess uphands, or rather, the fingers of the client. The design does not include protrusions beyond the nail fold.
What is useful for design?
To create a gradient, you will not need as many tools as it might seem at first glance. All you need is:
- selected colors to implement the plan;
- brush or sponge.
Many nail artists are of the opinion that it is better to make an ombre with a brush. This is convenient not only for experienced craftsmen, but also for beginners.
Why the brush:
- this is basically everything you need for the gradient, plus polishes;
- stretch marks are created without staining the cuticles and nail folds;
- the previous paragraph also saves time, because removing varnish from fingers is not a quick process.
Having listened to experienced opinion and having chosen a brush as the main tool, it is also necessary to choose this tool correctly. The best option would be a flat brush, as well as a brush for Chinese painting.
But if accuracy is your forte, then you can perform a manicure using the stretching technique with a regular brush from a bottle of varnish.
Methods of implementation
Gradient involves the choice of its execution. According to the direction of color transitions, this design is conditionally divided into three options.
- Horizontal color stretch. The most popular option. The transition of color occurs from the nail fold to the edge of the nail. More often design is done like this: cover the nail platethe lightest of the selected shades, dried in a lamp, and then a different shade is applied from the edge of the nail to its middle. Blurring is carried out on the border of matching colors and, as a result, a smooth transition from one shade to another.
- A vertical stretch of color is drawn from one lateral edge of the nail to the other. It is carried out by the same technique as the horizontal version, only the application is longitudinal. A vertical ombre is more convenient to do, since the application is more familiar. And this design is suitable for both long and short nails.
- Stretching color on all fingers is considered the easiest to do. First of all, two colors of varnish are selected. The nail of the thumb (the entire nail plate) is covered with the darkest shade, and the little finger with the lightest. Then two colors are mixed in the following proportions: 2:1 (dark-light) and the nail on the index finger is covered; 1:1 and the middle is covered; 1:2 - the nameless one is covered. Thus, a smooth transition is obtained on all nails.
Execution technique
Ombre manicure, the photo of which is presented below, is performed according to a strictly defined technique. The design steps are as follows:
- First, all the classic procedures are performed: filing and shaping the nail, removing the cuticle, etc.
- After gently remove the glossy surface of the natural nail. This will allow the nail polish to adhere better.
- Disinfection, remove dust particles.
- Apply acid-free primer and let dry.
- Cover the nail plate with one of the selected colors. From oneedges to the middle.
- A different shade is applied from the middle to the other edge of the plate.
- On the line of joints of colors, spend several times with a brush so that they mix evenly, forming a transition.
- Dry in a lamp.
- Apply a top coat to smooth out any unevenness. Dry in a lamp.
- Remove the sticky layer.
According to this instruction, a vertical and horizontal ombre is performed. A manicure with this effect on all fingers is applied a little differently, although it is done faster.
More options
Ombre manicure (photos to follow) can be done using different techniques. You should not limit yourself to classical performance.
- The lightest of the selected varnishes (or white) is first applied to the nail plate. Next, a different color is applied, and a smooth blur is made at the junction with a brush.
- Some masters practice mixing colors on nails with a brush soaked in alcohol beforehand. This will contribute to a better result.
- Another option: two different colors are applied to the nail plate. On a separate substrate, drop by drop of these two varnishes are mixed, and the result of mixing is applied to the border of the joints on the nail.
- And another option: two parts of the nail are also painted with two varnishes. After that, a small drop of another varnish is applied to each part, and mixing is done at the border of their joints. You will get a smooth transition.
Gradient with regular polish
Manicure with stretching flowers can be done with a simple varnish, not a gel polish. Although this design will not last too long. But many nail masters recommend that beginners train in the performance of the gradient with ordinary varnish. So you can remove imperfections in which case.
Ombre done with ordinary nail polish faster than shellac.
- First the base is applied.
- Then two parts of the nail are covered with two varnishes of different shades. The contact of varnishes with each other should be tight, without breaks.
- With a brush make a few smooth strokes on the border of the joints. You will get a smooth transition - a gradient.
- Dry the work done.
- Finish with a final coat to make the design uniform and smooth.
Ombre with ordinary varnish is done, as a rule, at one time. And for its application, it is recommended to use varnishes from the same manufacturer, since their consistency will be the same.
Brilliant Stretch Manicure Ideas
Stretching with gel polish can be done in absolutely any color. Even a brilliant varnish will not spoil the intended composition, but on the contrary, it will make the manicure more festive. For New Year's celebrations - this is one of the most appropriate options.
The execution technique is aimed at reducing the density of glitter from the middle to the edge of the nail or vice versa.
Creating such a manicure takes just 4 steps:
- The first is the classic preparation of the nail: filing off the edges of the plate, removing the cuticle, etc.
- Second is the application of the base and background color, the lightest one.
- Third - apply on the edge of the nailselected sparkles. The drop should be thick. There should be more glitter at the edge of the nail, and less glitter closer to the root.
- At the end of the application, you can apply a top coat over the gradient. It will fix the shiny material, but its flicker will decrease. And if you do not use the top, then some of the sparkles will crumble.
This design is also good because the glitter goes with any color of gel polish.
Variants in soft colors
Delicate stretch manicure is a great solution for a casual, business, romantic look. Pastel and light colors complement each other well and look good on both long and short nails. Well, the form does not matter.
Light stretch manicure suggests a lot of ideas:
- For example, for lovers of elegant French manicure, you can make a gradient in this style. A smooth transition from a pink or similar base to a white tip looks great on nails of any length and shape.
- For a romantic look, the transition of pastel colors will be beautiful.
- Pink manicure-stretch (and any shade of pink) will look beautiful if this color turns into white.
- Pink-blue gradient will suit not only young ladies. It will perfectly complement the spring outfit.
- Actual, in addition to the white-pink combination, is gray-pink. It can be done in both pastel and saturated shades.
- Gentle manicure gradient - it is not necessary to use only two colors. Many experienced manicuristseasily make this design in three or more colors.
The light gradient has remained relevant for more than a season and looks advantageous with any look.
Combined with black
Stretching with black looks luxurious, sexy and elegant at the same time. This manicure is suitable for ladies who are self-confident and love to attract attention.
- Horizontal or vertical stretch in black and pink, red or burgundy will look great in glossy or matte.
- The black and gold stretch manicure is a more solemn design option, as it will look very, very majestic.
- Black paired with sequins, any color, is a good option for everyday and festive outings.
- Using a black and white gradient is something of a classic among ombre designs.
- A smooth transition from black to light gray will look good.
Mirror gradient
Mirror gradient is done using rubbing - very fashionable for more than one season of manicure design. By itself, a monochromatic rub looks great, but in combination with a gradient, it will be just an “explosion”.
- One of the options: a white-pink ombre, together with a rub, will create a mother-of-pearl effect with distinctly iridescent colors. This option is suitable for horizontal stretching.
- Incrediblea gradient design with a rub, imitating the color of glass in the sun, will look spectacular. Selected individually.
- A blue-golden-green gradient, when mirrored, will create a chameleon effect.
- A black and gold gradient with a rub overlay will give your nails a black gold effect.
Conclusion
The stretch manicure ideas presented in the article can be complemented by various decorations: rhinestones, broths, superficial thin patterns that will not overlap the gradient itself.
Ombre can be made in a matte version - the design will turn out to be velvet in appearance. And the right colors will make it incredibly “warm and cozy.”
In general, you can experiment with manicure in different ways. The final version will still turn out to be attractive, neat and relevant for an everyday or festive outing.
