What liquid mica looks like on a nail. Stamping with mica
It's no secret that any beauty requires sacrifice. And beautiful, neat manicure Not easy to do on your own: it takes time, practice and experience. However, there are exceptions in nail art techniques, and the nail design with mica, which appeared not so long ago, but has already won the hearts of beauties, is one of them. Quite simple to perform and full of luxurious shine as a result, a manicure with mica pleases both avid fashionistas and girls just starting to practice nail art techniques.
How did mica get into nail art techniques?
Mica is one of the most attractive minerals for beauty lovers. Layered, varied in shades and stunningly sparkling, it quickly found use in architecture, jewelry, technology and even secrets. female beauty. In addition, people soon came up with special “replacements” for mica: artificial materials, having all the properties and qualities of the mineral, but more affordable. A great find for nail art too!
Benefits of Mica
This bright mineral, endowed with a pearlescent glow, has a number of irreplaceable properties. And manicure using mica is superior to most well-known nail art techniques.
First of all, mica is layered, and therefore very beneficial in manicure: its structure simplifies the use of the mineral and allows you to achieve a special volume;
Secondly, the incredible and at the same time refined shine of this natural treasure opens up a wide field for ideas and designs in manicure.
Types of mica
According to its structure, mica is divided into two types: dry and liquid. Dry mica is a shiny powder or many small "shards" formed from this layered material when a piece of mica is processed with special tools. Such mica can be easily cut even with nail scissors, and you will get smaller pieces. Dry mica is sold in individual packages, each containing several containers in powder or pieces.
Liquid mica is more like regular mica, only very glitter varnish both in thickness and in its slightly noticeable pearly tint. It is easily applied to the nail, usually with a brush, and is sold in small bottles, just like regular polish.
How to use mica in nail design?
Of course, this bright and unique mineral found wide application not only as a unique type of varnish. It can also be used as a quick-drying, colored or clear base coat, glitter or glitter colored powder.
Using dry mica in manicure
As with any other technique, nails must first be treated with a degreasing compound and prepared for applying varnish.
Then one or more layers of varnish of the main color are applied to the nail. For better contrast, this polish should be bright and matte, then the shiny mica is brighter, more noticeable and looks better on the nails.
Now you can start applying the mica itself. If in a manicure only part of the nail should be covered with shiny dry mica, it is best to use wooden stick or a regular toothpick with a broken tip. Before touching the mica, the tip of a stick or toothpick should be dipped into a container with clean water: this will relieve the material from electrification and better “hold” the mica on a homemade beauty tool. Then dip the stick into a jar of mica, so that a little mineral gets on the tip, and begin applying it to the nail.
If the manicure involves covering the entire area of the nail with dry mica, you can use a very ordinary brush. But don’t forget to dip it in water. In addition, you can add even more shine to your manicure: with mica and glitter, your nails will become even brighter. But it is important to remember a sense of proportion.
After completing the application of mica, you should cover the nail with a coating or drying so that the result does not smear and is pleasing to the eye for a longer time.
Using liquid mica in manicure
Liquid mica itself is a kind of varnish, so there will be no problems applying it to the nail. Using a thinner brush, you can make neat mica patterns, and a wide brush will allow you to cover the entire nail with it. However, in this case, we should not forget that the brilliant luxury of this mineral will look better on an already applied colored coating.
When using liquid mica, there is no need to dip the brush in water. The result should be secured by coating or drying.
Stamping with mica
Since mica can be used as a regular, albeit very beautiful varnish, the boundaries of this nail art technique are expanding and practically disappearing. Any technique, any style and any design – everything is at the service of the fashionista.
However, more successful than other techniques, the use of mica looks like stamping: a technique in which special stencils are used to apply designs and patterns on the nail. The radiant beauty and beautiful liquid structure outshine ordinary polishes, and the patterns on the nails come out stunning. But there is a little trick: for best achievement effect, you should not use mica in performing very small parts: the shine of this mineral will not allow the eye to focus on the drawing, and beautiful drawing risks turning into one uneven spot. For example, a manicure with circles or other geometric shapes: it definitely won’t blur and won’t lose its grace.
Definitely difficult to execute. In fact spectacular manicure you can create without even having professional skills. Today in specialized stores it is presented huge selection various decorative elements designed to make your nail art incomparable. Mica is especially popular for nail design, which can transform any manicure.
To its name decorative material must be similar to a natural mineral. Artificial mica is produced in the form of chips, plates different colors, vaguely resembling pieces of foil. The elements are light, and in the rays of the sun they shimmer and shine amazingly. More often decorative mica used when creating aquarium or any other volumetric nail art, giving the picture additional depth. Such decor is usually used when working with since it is necessary to seal the picture. If this is not done, the manicure will turn out rough and lumpy.
Depending on its structure, decorative mica for nails can be regular or liquid. The latter has a fluid consistency and is a bit reminiscent of glitter in appearance. The different colors of the material allow you to create an original and unique design with mica every time. Various shades of decorative elements are presented in the following video.
Manicure technology with mica
To make a manicure with mica at home, it is advisable to master the basics artificial extension nails On our website you will find all necessary information on this topic, as well as useful photos and video materials. When using gel or regular varnishes You can experiment only with liquid mica, but it should be applied in a very thin layer. To create a luxurious design on your extended nails, follow a few simple steps.
- Using gel or acrylic, lay out the free edge, having previously installed paper form. At first, give preference to shorter nail tips.
- After polymerization (when working with gels) or drying of the composition, apply an additional layer of color coating.
- When using acrylic, without waiting for it to set, use a dot to arrange the mica in any order. It is more convenient to apply liquid elements with a brush. When extending nails with gel, mica is fixed after polymerization on a sticky layer.
- Applying decorative elements, make sure that they do not extend beyond the free edge. When the mica decorates your nails, press it with cling film, which you need to carefully wrap your fingers with. In the case of gel, carry out half-minute polymerization.
- Finally, coat your nails with a top coat. If necessary, file and sand. The mica design is ready! So that you can diversify your nail art and turn it into reality interesting ideas manicure, we have prepared a colorful photo gallery for you.
Sparkling Mica Nail Art Ideas
The design with mica is light and elegant. It looks great on nails of any length. You can decorate the ends with mica, making a kind of French jacket, or complement various patterns and designs with sparkling elements. Luxurious manicure, without a doubt, will attract everyone's attention to its owner. Make sure of this by looking at a few photos of the sparkling design.
Nail art with mica is the perfect finishing touch festive look any girl. The photo gallery will help you bring your ideas to life, and to clearly demonstrate to you interesting design, we bring to your attention educational video lesson from Svetlana Sokolova. Express your inner world through a manicure, and those around you will certainly appreciate it!
Having taken a leading position in nail art in 2015, manicure with mica is still a favorite design of many girls and masters. Due to multifaceted overflows and bright colors it can completely transform both natural nails and extensions.
Mica, what is it?
Natural mica is a mineral with a layered texture and a mesmerizing pearlescent sheen.
Design mica looks like pieces of cut foil when viewed. This mica is sold in the form of flakes and shavings and boasts a huge color spectrum.
Types of decorative mica
Dry or regular - has a dense structure that resembles pieces of foil. Sold in jars or bags, which may contain large particles, they are very easy to cut with ordinary nail scissors.
Note! Dry mica is used by nail technicians when doing nail extensions. This is because when using it, it is necessary to apply a thick covering layer on top. It is necessary to eliminate lumpiness and roughness on the surface of the nail.
Liquid mica ( liquid foil, wet shine) is a shiny pigment that applies evenly even to natural nails. Used for manicure with gel polish or regular polish.
French manicure with dry mica
To create an extended jacket with mica you will need the following materials:
- Orange stick.
- Nail clippers.
- Files: for natural nails (180-220 grit), for artificial nails (80-100 grit).
- Nail brush.
- Acid-free primer.
- Paper forms for extensions.
- Gels for extensions (base, modeling and finishing).
- Dry mica.
- Brush for extensions and dots.
- Sticky layer remover.
- Cotton pads.
- Ultraviolet lamp.
- Cuticle oil.
The first step is preparing nails for extensions:
Let's start building and decorating:
- We place a form under the nail, making sure that the “ears” connect without overlaps.
- Apply the first thin layer base gel When creating the shape of the future nail, dry it in a lamp for at least 40 seconds.
- Make the second layer a little thicker with base gel and dry for at least 40 seconds.
- Remove the paper form and put it away sticky layer. We file the surface with an artificial nail file and shape the free edge.
- Degrease the surface with a sticky layer remover.
- We draw a “smile” with modeling gel, apply mica to the sticky layer using dots, align the pieces, and polymerize for at least one minute.
- Cover the nail completely with the finishing gel in the lamp for one minute. We remove the sticky layer, file it with an artificial nail file, and degrease it.
- Apply a second layer of finish, dry for three minutes, degrease, apply oil to the cuticle area.
French nail design with mica is ready. Nails with such a manicure sparkle effectively and are suitable for both everyday look, and for the holiday.
Home manicure using liquid mica
Not all girls like extended nails, and not all know how to do them. Therefore, now we will consider two ways to create a simple manicure with mica, photo step by step process They will help even beginners perform it at home.
To get started, you can do regular manicure using nail polish containing glitter. There is nothing tricky about this process, but the effect will be sparkling in the literal sense of the word.
Step-by-step creation of a glitter manicure:
Everything is quite simple, but the nails already look much more original than with a simple colored coating.
You can also do a manicure at home using gel polishes and liquid mica:
- At the first stage, you need to process the nail plate, follow the instructions from the example on nail extensions.
- We cover the nails with a thin layer of gel polish base, seal the end of the nail in a lamp for two minutes.
- Cover the nail with colored gel polish, then apply liquid mica with a flat brush or dots. Carefully align all the pieces and dry for 30-40 seconds.
- Cover the entire surface with the finishing coat. You can admire the shine and shimmer on your nails!
Any girl will appreciate the ease of execution and the original result of a manicure with mica. Its versatility and unpretentiousness continue to win an increasing number of fans. Perhaps the ideas below can inspire someone else to achieve this truly dazzling manicure.
Every girl wants to be irresistible, and sometimes in order to show herself to the world, a couple of catchy designs or beautiful iridescent particles on her nails are enough. This manicure looks very stylish and expensive, but in reality it is not anything complicated: the main material is mica, and it is very easy to work with.
What it is?
First of all, mica is a mineral. It is often found in nature and has a pleasant iridescent mother-of-pearl appearance, shines and has a very pleasant texture. It has been used in both jewelry and cosmetics. Mica is most often used for manicure, but this is no longer the same natural material, but artificial, but completely repeating the properties of its natural counterpart.
Kinds
More often artificial mica Available in liquid or dry form - the first option is more popular, the liquid texture is easier to use, distributes well and is the most common. Liquid mica is an almost non-relief fine sparkling powder in varnish form, so the manicure with it comes out smooth and perfectly even. It can be used on both short and long long nails, and also at home - liquid mica is easy to work with. Dry mica looks like very small shiny dense plates that look like foil or shavings. It is easy to confuse it with holographic rub. One-color crumbly mica is found, with combined colors or plates of different sizes and shapes - the choice is truly huge, and it is sold in every major cosmetic store. It is this type that is most often used for extensions or the so-called design “ Aquarium».
Also worth a special mention is the chameleon mica. It can be either liquid or dry, and consists of particles of similar shades shimmering in the sun - for example, red and orange or pink and purple. They refract under the sun and create a color changing effect.
Peculiarities
It is thanks to mica that you can create a 3D effect on your nails. She can create for real relief drawing with a flat smooth surface. Various patterns underneath look very interesting. transparent top, especially in combination with rhinestones, beads and patterns. In general, manicure options with this miracle cosmetic industry amaze. It will be equally interesting to look like a French jacket with iridescent tips, patterns and drawings with mica, combinations of several different colors on the nails.
You can also find varnishes with mica - its particles are already mixed into the varnish, so all that remains is to cover your nails with it.
With dry mica you can create real holography on your nails - particles different sizes refract differently in the light and sparkle differently. From a distance, liquid mica looks more like regular glitter. If necessary, you can also chop dry mica yourself using nail scissors. And what’s also really amazing is the price of mica - it’s quite inexpensive, and if you use regular gel polish rather than gel polish, you can also save on materials.
How to use?
Working with dry and liquid mica, of course, is quite different from each other. However, there is one constant - nails need to be prepared step by step in any case. File them down, remove or tidy up the cuticle, use peeling or a salt bath, and at the end, moisturize them thoroughly and then degrease them. Next, apply one layer of gel polish and dry thoroughly. After that - the second layer, but do not let it dry completely and do not remove the sticky layer, because this is where the mica should adhere. Using an orange stick or toothpick, start transferring the mica plates onto the nail. Act carefully, quickly, but not hastily - the particles should not touch the side rollers and cuticles.
Now it’s the turn of the cling film. Carefully pack your finger into it, while at the same time gently pressing the mica onto the nail with patting movements of the fingertips. Place your finger under the gel lamp for twenty to thirty seconds. The final stage Apply a layer of sealer. Make sure that the mica lies tightly under it and does not fall off - the nail should be perfectly smooth, without roughness. Pollen may form - shake it off, apply more fixative and now you can remove the sticky layer.
Also, it is crumbly mica that is used for extensions.
Getting started is no different from regular extensions - you need to shape the nail with acrylic or gel special forms, located under free edge natural nail. After applying colored varnish and carefully using an orange stick or a toothpick, you can use a dot to distribute pieces of mica on the not yet completely dry coating. Next, dry your nails in a lamp and apply top coat – twice if necessary. Unlike dry mica, liquid mica is distributed with a flat brush or the one that comes with it in the package. You should dry the first layer of varnish in the same way, without removing the sticky layer, carefully distribute the powder over it - it applies easily - and dry it in a lamp for about twenty seconds. In the case of liquid mica, applying a second layer of topcoat is not necessary - nail plate aligned and so on.
Aquarium design
A special mention is due to the design called “ Aquarium“, because mica became popular precisely because of him. This technique allows you to apply to your nails volumetric patterns or compositions from various materials(mica, glitter, sequins, powder, dried flowers) and hide them behind a “glass” top – a product that creates a three-dimensional effect. Upon examination, it seems that the images are hidden behind glass and placed in an aquarium with water. " Aquarium"is also distinguished not only by its beauty, but also by its strength and durability - the “glass” top lasts about eight weeks and reliably seals the pattern, which allows you to safely engage in any active activities. It is suitable for any length and shape of the nail, you can also do extensions with it - it is easier and more enjoyable to paint on long nails.
Mica is ideal for this technique because it comes in the form of iridescent plates or sand, the shine of which only intensifies under the glass coating. It also completely smoothes out all the unevenness that may appear in the case of a dry type of product and, as it were, fills in all the flaws and micro-cracks of the varnish itself. As a rule, such a manicure looks very complicated - it seems as if the drawing was made special paints or in several layers - but it’s all about the glass top.
Geometry on nails
Dry mica big size ideal for creating geometric patterns. It can be cut into different pieces and create the effects of cracked glass or shards. Main principle geometric manicure is to use various figures– triangles, squares or rectangles that are easy to cut from dry mica. In this case, you will need a base varnish - black or any other will look great dark shade, gel polish kit and light coarse dry mica. You must come up with a pattern in advance, cut the mica into the necessary pieces and later carefully glue it onto a still sticky layer of varnish, cover cling film and wait.
The base polish can be matte, which will create even more contrast, and you can also use mica not on all fingers.
French
French manicure is an unshakable classic. This is the manicure when the tip of the nail is coated with a darker varnish than its base. But no one bothers you to change this design a little - for example, paint the plate with roses or other colors, and make the tip sparkling. To do this, you will need the usual set - gel polish, gel lamp, stencils for French manicure and mica itself - it can be either liquid or dry. In the case of nail extensions, also the shape and material. The principle of operation is not much different from covering the entire nail with mica – it’s just a matter of stencils. First of all, prepare your nails as usual - file, trim, remove cuticles and degrease.
Mica for nails is an artificial, very light decorative material that, thanks to its iridescent shine, resembles natural minerals. It happens various forms, sizes, colors and shades.
Nail designs with mica, especially in the sun, shimmer beautifully and give nail art a special depth. More often this material is used for volumetric designs (aquarium) in professional salons beauty, although you can make beautiful and fashionable nails at home.
Volumetric nail design with mica
The technique of designing nails with mica is actually not difficult; any girl can do it while at home. Another thing is if you want to get voluminous nail art on artificial nails. This will require basic knowledge of nail extensions with gel or acrylic. And in the case of more complex designs, without the help of a master nail service not enough. Let's look at the basic elements of designing with mica on extended nails:
- process natural nail using a nail file and bonder, set the shape;
- use acrylic or gel to lay out the free edge;
- when working with acrylic, without waiting for it to dry, apply mica to the nail using a brush or dot;
- when working with gel, after polymerization, you need to lay mica on the gel (it will be fixed due to the sticky layer);
- lay out the next layer of acrylic or gel (polymerize), file, sand, and cover with finishing gel. And the manicure with mica is ready!
This manicure will decorate women’s hands; it looks gentle and elegant. Mica can be used in many designs, on any length and shape of nails, it will add a festive mood.
French manicure with mica at home
There are many options for mica nail designs that can be done at home. For example, you can cover the entire nail with decorative material, you can lay out a design, etc. We suggest trying to make a french coat from mica. To make beautiful French manicure
- with mica at home, you need to prepare:
- mica;
- clear nail polish;
dots.
- Design technique:
- apply clear varnish;
- Before the varnish hardens, quickly and carefully transfer small pieces of mica to the tip of the nail using a dot;
Apply one to three more coats of clear varnish and let dry.
