Ombre manicure: what is, how is it done and looks on the nails?

Undoubtedly, one of the most burning topics for girls and women has always been and, most likely, will be the theme of nail design. Today in the market of nail art you can find an infinite number of various variations, even for the most capricious woman. Among the most relevant is an ombre manicure, which always looks special in an unusual way. However, in order to look beautiful and at the same time as closely as possible with current trends, it is important to know some of the techniques and rules for combining colors. This article provides the answers to these questions, as well as talks about how to make such a gradient manicure yourself and presents some of the most vivid ideas of stylish ombre nail design.

There are always things that, despite the rapid movement of fashion, have not lost their relevance for many years. A classic and neat ombre manicure is one of them. Among the fair sex has long been observed a special sympathy for such a sophisticated, but at the same time very modern decor nails.

Design technology itself is pretty simple. and is a smooth blending or transition of colors from one to another with blurred borders between them. This nail design can still be called "stretching" or "gradient."

If the first one assumes the perfect tonal transitions, then for the gradient the visible borders of colors completely different in the palette are quite acceptable. To a greater degree, of course, the technology is the same, but qualified specialists will certainly tell about the difference between these types of manicure.

In addition, there are several varieties of such nail designs.

Degrading implies a transition from bright colors to more pale or darker ones.

If you believe the historical data, the first to use the services of a personal manicure master became the Egyptian queen Nefertiti. And it is she who is credited with the idea of ​​gradient nail design. And although the materials at that time were very different from what is customary to use for manicure today, the excavations suggest that it was the queen that used this décor - at the base of the nail the color was richer and gradually became more pale.

Nowadays, the popularity of the ombra manicure is due to the popular 80s actress Rihanna Damond, who, at the Oscar presentation, supplemented her bow with a gradient nail art in the style of a gloomy vampire image. After that, there was a boom on such a manicure. And then in the 2000s, this idea was adopted by the master of hairdressing, inventing fashionable and stylish hair coloring of the same name.

Among the characteristic features of this type of manicure:

• universal combination with any shape and length of nails;
• The borders of color blurring can go both vertically, horizontally and diagonally, or from a figure to a figure, which greatly expands the scope for choosing the original decor;
• suitable for everyday manicure, and for a festive event, depending on the chosen color palette;
• the gamut of colors is possible and bright acid, and tender and warm, and contrast;
• nail design can be complemented by decorations in the form of rhinestones, sculptures, beads, drawings, etc .;

• It is possible to combine with various techniques of manicure: French, moon, metallic, etc .;
• gradient transition can be performed both on all the nails, and on one or two fingers;
• a winning option for short nails, since such a design visually lengthens the nail plate;
• the simplicity of the technique allows you to independently make such a manicure, thereby saving on visiting salons;
• A thousand and one variation of the ombre manicure will allow you to choose the best option according to your desires and purpose.

With all the many positive characteristics, they emit, though insignificant, but still flaws.

• Ombre coating involves a long process of application, so if it was decided to stay on this decor, you should be patient and free time.
• The selection of colors and textures for the transition is extremely time consuming.

Careful consideration of the choice of decoration elements, with which there is also the danger of overdoing. Then, no matter how tidy the manicure is, it will lose all its charm due to, for example, alypisty rhinestones or huge colors.

For a classic manicure, ombra are characterized by quiet pastel colors, including beige, pale pink, peach and others in this range. It is noteworthy that even such a seemingly gentle manicure can be combined with brighter shades. The main thing - to choose the right color palette.

Effectively, of course, looks gradient on long nails. This form will expand the variety of colors. For short ones, it is optimal to use two lacquers to make the manicure look more neat.

Modern manicure can rightly be considered a whole art with a variety of methods and ways of its execution. Experts of the fashion world declare the democratic requirements of the current season for the design of nails. Today, in the trend of creativity and originality, but it is succinctly combined with accuracy and naturalness.

And if there are still certain requirements to the shape and length of the nails, then there will be few of them regarding the color solution. Oval and almond-shaped nails with a length of 3-5 mm are not only the most natural, but at the same time relevant for this season.

Regarding the range of shades, preference is given to casual nude tones. Among such solutions can be considered a light gradient transition from a beige-milky shade to a hint of coffee with milk or cocoa. For contrast, this palette can be combined with a dark chocolate lacquer.

In the trend, of course, and other light-delicate shades. A bright and spectacular ombre in such a palette will be obtained by adding rich berry flowers. Among such fashionable nail designs is a combination of soft peach and juicy plum or cherry.

Beauty masters also recommend using the same color for the ombre manicure. Dark purple can be combined with pale purple, and light mint translate into coniferous green.

Another recommendation is the linear ombre manicure. A palette of one color scale from 6-8 shades is selected for it. It is noteworthy that the transitions with this design are not made smooth - the borders from color to color are preserved.

Despite all the fashion trends, it is more important to choose a manicure and color scheme in accordance with your own preferences and desires, while respecting the sense of proportion.

Several options for the most fashionable ombre manicure.

• Combination of airbrushing ombre with french design. Perhaps the addition of patterns and a few rhinestones for one or two nails.
• Vertical ombre in combination with the effect of the lunar design looks very advantageous and stylish.
• Ombre manicure rub with pigments. Such a design is applied to a pre-made stretch, after which it dries out using a brush to pigment.
• Acrylic powder in ombre manicure is one of the popular options.

From how carefully thought out design will depend on the effectiveness and attractiveness of the result. Tasks to be solved before the direct implementation of the ombre manicure:

• selection of colors;
• location on the nail plate;
• selection of texture options;
• whether decorative elements will be used.

First you need to deal with the base color color palette. Manicure specialists advise you to choose yellow, blue, red, green colors for nail design, and mix them with black or white varnishes to expand the palette of shades.

In addition, the type of shade is of great importance. There are warm, cold and neutral.

Warm presents a range of red shades.

Among the cold ones there is a palette of violet, blue, green colors and their shades.

The neutral colors are brown, nude or gray.

It is possible to combine with each other both cold and warm colors, as well as them separately. It is important that the selected color is fully combined with the alleged bow, makeup and accessories. To do this, you must take into account the rules for combining the color palette, which is already spelled out in a special table of shades.

Another danger is busting with decorative elements, which, even with regard to compliance with all norms and rules of color combinations, can spoil the appearance of nails.

Then, taking into account the color combination rules, the color scheme of the future manicure is combined. There is also a division of techniques.

For monochrome combination, shades of the same color range are characteristic. For an ombre, this is the classic version. You can use about 2-5 colors.

The achromatic appearance is distinguished by the base of a white or black lacquer coating, over which a more saturated shade is applied. It can be bright red, blue, mint, which is applied on top of nude, white, gray or black base color.

Another type of color combination is the complimentary type. It is a contrast of two colors in one key. An example is the transition from bright yellow varnish and violet. Among the popular combinations - coral with turquoise, green in combination with red.

In addition, a combination of textures can be attributed to this type of manicure. Complimentary design technique can be presented as a combination with pearlescent, matte or cream coating.

The tricolor type with its name speaks for itself. This is a combination of three different colors. At the same time, this somewhat unusual combination with a skillful choice of scale creates a harmonious and bright contrast. An example would be the transitions from red, blue, and orange or yellow.

For a competent combination of shades in manicure, you can use special tables, which will certainly prompt a fashionable and elegant combination for manicure.

The technique of direct arrangement of colors on the nail plate in the ombre manicure is also diverse, thereby expanding the space for finding the optimal design. Depending on this feature, such gradient positions are distinguished.

Such a gradient stretching is carried out vertically from the base of the nail to the opposite edge from top to bottom. It is considered one of the simplest methods of creating an ombre manicure, as it greatly simplifies the process of feathering.

Lucky for such a gradient manicure should not be very thick, but not very liquid. Working with such material will be much easier, and the result will be neater.

To apply a vertical gradient to the nail surface, the following materials are needed:

• top and base for varnish;
• varnishes of the chosen palette;
• brush (flat);
• place for mixing varnishes (palette).

Independently make a vertical ombre can be as follows:

1. nail coating base for varnish;
2. drying with an ultraviolet lamp;
3. you need to alternately dip the corners of a special brush in the desired color varnishes;
4. heading from bottom to top, brush over the center of the nail plate so that the colors blend;
5. dry in the ultraviolet lamp;
6. repeat several times;
7. cover with a protective colorless varnish.

In this way, you can decorate one or all the nails. Moreover, the color palette may be different on different nails.

This method is somewhat more complicated than a vertical gradient manicure. To perform an ombre, you can use a brush, sponge or sponge. In accordance with this, the technologies of applying a varnish coating on the nail plate are also different, one of which makes the transitions smoother, not sharp. Such a gradient stretching is provided by applying a varnish on the surface of the nail using a sponge or sponge.

To implement such a horizontal manicure, an ombra needs to perform such actions.

1. Apply to the skin of the fingers and cuticle a special tool that prevents varnish from entering the areas outside the nail plate. After completion of the coating procedure, this tool is easily removed beyond the edge of the film.
2. Specially selected orange stick varnishes mix a little at the borders, thus forming smooth transitions.
3. Then a sponge or sponge is dropped into the color mixture.
4. Next, the sponge is transferred to the already prepared nails and shading on the nail plate with blotting movements.
5. The finished feathering is dried under an ultraviolet lamp.
6. The procedure is repeated again.
7. On the horizontal ombre applied top or protective varnish.

Another horizontal design method involves using a brush. However, it is worth remembering that the boundaries of such a manicure are more noticeable.

If you already have a practice with vertical and horizontal transitions in an ombre manicure, then this option of nail design does not seem to be something difficult. The principle itself remains the same, the only moment - the nail is now divided into sectors along the diagonal, depending on the number of shades. Manicure is performed using the same sponge and brush, applying and smoothing smooth transitions between colors. This decor looks unusual and attractive.

This technology consists in coating each subsequent surface of the nail with a darker lacquer or, on the contrary, lighter than the previous finger. The laborious process of color matching and mixing is laborious.

It is possible to embody such decor on hands so.

1. Cover the nail plate base and dry using a UV lamp.
2. Choose a varnish coating of the desired shade.
3. Varnish the darkest color to put on your thumbs.
4. To prepare a lighter shade for the next nail should be a toothpick mixed on the palette of the original shade and a drop of white. Quickly apply it to the nail plate until it is dry.
5. Then the procedure is repeated, adding to the original color one drop more for each subsequent nail.
6. Apply a fixative coating and dry.

Peculiar and not so often used variant of the ombre technique. Transitions of shades with this design are carried out from one geometric shape to another.

A noteworthy feature of the manicure is the presence of clear, undiluted borders between the elements. It is recommended to try to paint it on a sketch before starting painting.

The method of applying geometric manicure Ombre.

1. Surface preparation of plates and base coating.
2. Drying in the UV lamp.
3. White lacquer on the surface of nails.
4. Next, you need to mix in the palette of the desired shade with white drop by drop, and with the help of a brush paint a small geometric figure, starting from the cuticle. Run the entire row along the bottom in the same way, painting the elements with the resulting shade.
5. For the next row, the white coating is already mixed with two drops of colored lacquer, forming a new shade, which is applied on the nail according to the same principle.
6. Subsequent actions follow the same pattern, each time adding colored lacquer one drop more.
7. For the last row, the original non-mixed color varnish is used.
8. The surfaces of the nails are dried under the lamp and covered with a colorless protective varnish.

As geometric figures for manicure, you can use triangles, rhombuses and other shapes.

For such a time-consuming and lengthy process is a spectacular and truly original looking manicure.

For a high quality ombra manicure a set of tools is very important.

• Lacquer coatings of one color palette (several pieces) and preferably white lacquer.
• Thin and flat tassels.
• Base coat.
• Anchoring colorless varnish.
• A few toothpicks or orange sticks.
• Sponge or small sponge for feathering transitions between shades of varnish. You can use the sponge for washing dishes, but it is recommended to moisten before use.

• Cotton pads.
• A palette that serves as a place to mix varnish. You can use a plastic cover, a small saucer or a sheet of paper.
• Nail polish remover.
• Cuticle Remedy or PVA Adhesive. It allows you to protect the cuticle and the skin around the nail from excessive pollution from varnish. The tool must be applied with a thick layer and after finishing the manicure, carefully remove it with excess varnish.
• Ultraviolet or Led-lamp for drying gel polish.

An optional, but handy tool for performing gradient nail designs is the aero-amping kit. With this kit you can create volumetric images and spectacular gradients. The secret of the set lies in a special device - a stylus in the shape of a pen, to which various sponges are installed (round or drop-shaped). Due to the fact that the device is two-sided, the simultaneous use of several colors is possible, which is very convenient for this type of manicure. The kit also includes a variety of stencils.

By the above numerous types of design, it is clear that there are quite a few options for making an ombra manicure. Step by step instruction of one of these methods involves the following steps.

1. Prepare the surface of the nails by removing the previous coating and adjusting the shape.
2. Remove the cuticle, pre-steam nails in a hot bath.
3. Apply a base coat of the chosen color (often light). Brightness of a shade directly depends on the number of layers.
4. Separately, in the palette, mix the necessary shades, arranging a darker color at the end, which, thanks to what is applied to the tip of the nail, will visually add extra length.
5. Using a toothpick or brush, lightly mix the borders of varnishes of different colors.It is necessary to perform this stage very carefully in order to avoid abrupt transitions.
6. If a sponge is used, moisten it and, wetting it into a palette with mixed varnishes, transfer it to the surface of the nail with a few patting movements. It is not recommended to strongly press the sponge to the nail plate, as it will absorb the entire varnish.
7. Repeat for each nail.
8. Before complete drying of the varnish on the surface of the nail, it is important to have time to cover them with a colorless varnish, which will smooth out any irregularities from the sponge.
9. Extreme, but no less important stage - drying. Experts advise using a UV lamp or at least special sprays. If such options disappear, you can use ordinary cold water, in which the hands fall. This action will reduce the process of drying varnish.
10. If after the procedure of manicure there is a trace of color coating, it is recommended to remove it with a nail polish remover and sticks.

The technique of the next method, though not much different from the previous one, but has its own characteristics. It involves mixing lacquer not on the palette, but directly on the sponge or sponge itself. Among the disadvantages of such a technique is the speed of drying the varnish on a sponge much faster than using a palette, so after 2-3 nails the procedure will need to be repeated.

To exaggerate the borders, an already varnished sponge can be lightly attached to paper or a palette.

After the main part of the gradient manicure is done, it is possible to supplement it with drawings, give a matte effect, use rhinestones or three-dimensional shapes.

Ombre with a French design is especially good for long nails. In this case, the gradient is located on the tip of the nail plate, so it will be more accurate to use the option of a vertical color transition. To perform a manicure you need:

1. cover the nail base or a special light-colored lacquer for french;
2. wait until the varnish dries;
3. stick special stencils on each nail;
4. separately on the palette or on the sponge itself, using a thin brush, stripes of the desired colors are applied;
5. gently transfer the varnish strips to the tip of the nail, without going beyond the borders of the stencil and placing them vertically;
6. the procedure can be repeated several times, due to which the manicure will become more saturated;
7. cover all with protective varnish.

Such a gentle manicure will look very original and feminine.

If the sponge or sponge is not at hand yet, you can use a brush with a rare nap at the tip. The smoothness of color transitions on the nail plates depends on how dense the brush is. The way to perform such designs for manicure.

1. After applying a transparent base double layer, dry the nails under ultraviolet light. Pre-select combinations of colored varnishes.
2. Apply a thin layer of the first one to one half of the nail plate, moving vertically from the cuticle to the free part of the nail. Repeat the procedure with the second shade, covering the second part of the nail.
3. Using a flat brush, make a vertical stretch and combine colors. Smoothness and lightness in brush movements are important, and it should be held almost parallel to the surface of the nail. Before creating a gradient brush can be slightly moistened in a wedge.
4. After the area with shaded lacquer becomes softer, you can dry your nails in a UV lamp.
5. Repeat the process of applying varnish and creating a gradient of the second layer.

After each step, it is recommended to clean the paintbrush from varnish using a lint-free cloth. If you want the color to look as rich as possible, you need to cover your nails with a third layer.

In addition to a thin brush, you can use a fan. Accordingly, the effect will turn out as a result to others. Work order:

1. prepare a base coat;
2. one of the colored varnishes is applied on the upper part of the nail in the interval from the cuticle to the middle of the nail or slightly higher;
3. the second shade of lacquer is designed for the remaining half of the nail;
4. after the lacquer dries slightly, lightly move horizontally from one side of the nail to the other to feather the transitions between the varnishes;
5. repeat the action, causing several layers;
6. fix all colorless coating and dry the result.

Among the dangers of such a method of performing a manicure is also likely to strongly press the brush on the varnish.

Among the options for applying ombre one of the most festive and bright is the way to perform a gradient transition using glitter.

The sequence of actions for such a manicure.

1. Prepare the surface of the plates for varnishing and cover them with a base, then dry under ultraviolet rays.
2. The selected shade of varnish is applied in two layers and dried again.
3. This decor is possible with the use of both dry spangles, mixed for a manicure with a top, and already finished varnish with glitter. They are applied in the area from the cuticle to almost the middle of the nail plate.
4. For the remaining uncovered part of the nail using a simple glossy top.
5. With the help of movements parallel to the nail, a thin brush gently needs to stretch the sparkles from the base of the nail to the edge, without overdoing the transition.
6. Cover painted nails with protective varnish.

In addition to sparkles, for the gradient manicure, you can use acrylic powder of various shades. Application Method:

1. perform a base coat (recommended in two layers; usually white lacquer is used for this);
2. having dipped a special brush in the desired shade of powder, apply it on the nail plate in the part near the cuticle;
3. slightly overlapping, repeat the action with a different shade, covering the area slightly lower;
4. to feather the transition between the shades of powder with the vertical movements of the brush from the cuticle to the free part of the plate;
5. remove excess powder;
6. fix with protective varnish and dry in the lamp.

Custom design for manicure in a gradient style can be realized with the help of the so-called airbrush device. The machine is a special dispenser, shaped like a pen. A variety of nozzles, nozzles defining the scope of spraying, are put on the airbrush.

For a gradient design with the help of such a device fit nozzles with sizes of 0.2 and 0.4.

After use, the airbrush must be cleaned. For this, special brushes are used. Also, for a complete set of airbrush design, it is necessary to prepare special paints for the typewriter, a primer, a special basic base and colored inks.

Instructions for creating a gradient design using an airbrush:

1. prepare the nails;
2. apply the main coating and dry in UV rays;
3. cover with a basic shade;
4. dry the surface of the nails;
5. apply top and after drying, remove the sticky layer;
6. with the help of the buff, gently clean the nail plate with the top;
7. spray on the nail plate, heading to the center of the free edge;
8. using an airbrush, dry the coating;
9. after drying with the aid of a buff, clean up the excess paint on the nail cuts;
10. walk the primer through the zones of the sides and cut the free edge of the nail plate;
11. to correct chipped nails after using the buff, using white gel polish, after which not to forget to dry everything under the lamp again;
12. Finally, apply several layers of top and, after drying, remove the sticky part along with paint around the nails.

If desired, this design manicure can be combined with rhinestones and three-dimensional figures. The main thing is not to overdo it, since this manicure already looks very impressive.

Before using the airbrush need to check his work on paper.

It is also worth noting some secrets of high-quality homemade manicure with his own hands.

• Good care plays a key role in the appearance of nails. A variety of therapeutic baths and nourishing creams will prevent their fragility and lamination. In addition, to nails in perfect condition, it is important to comply with some recommendations of experts about the removal of varnish, hygienic manicure, adherence to shape and length.
• It is recommended to wash the usual coating with a nail polish remover, and not containing acetone.

• The ideal shape and length of the nails is attached with the help of a nail file and a buff. Among the variety of forms, there are trends in this area. Today there is a greater interest in the moderate length and round shape of the nails.
• Apply varnish should be very carefully. Moreover, experts advise after each of the next nail to get the varnish from the bottle. And the painting itself should begin a few millimeters from the cuticle border and move to the free edge. It is recommended to apply varnish in three strokes - first the middle, then the edges. The second layer will give manicure saturation.
• At home it is very convenient to experiment with the decor, so do not be afraid to use rhinestones, stickers and other elements.

Variants of classic Ombre manicure design.

Gradient in the style of the starry sky will give an image of festivity and mystery.

Bright summer ombre, made in the technique of a vertical transition - a great option for the summer season.

Saturated pigmentation gradient manicure.

Neat geometric ombre.

Rhinestone decor against the background of the ombre manicure.

How to make the perfect gradient (ombre) on the nails, see the following video.