Velvet Nails | Nail Art Tutorial
Not to get all Miranda Priestly on you, but velvet for fall isn't exactly revolutionary.
And yet somehow it never gets old.
While researching Fall/Winter runway trends, I found myself completely obsessed with the rich jewel tones, depth, and texture showing up throughout the collections. Naturally, my brain immediately went to nail art.
How do you translate the depth and iridescence of velvet into a manicure?
Enter magnetic gel.
Emporio Armani F/W 2020
Magnetic gel, sometimes called cat eye gel, dragon's eye gel, or any number of other brand-specific names, contains metallic particles that move when exposed to a magnet before curing.
Most people are familiar with the traditional cat eye effect, where the particles are pulled into a single line across the nail.
Personally, I prefer maximum coverage and a soft, velvety finish.
A velvet nail art look by Rachel Messick
Velvet nails are absolute showstoppers, and once you get the technique down, they're surprisingly approachable.
Zimmerman Fall 2020
Tips for Creating Velvet Nails
Choose Quality Products
Be careful when purchasing magnetic gels from unknown sources. Whenever possible, choose brands that provide ingredient transparency and safety documentation.
As professionals, we have a responsibility to know what's going on our clients' nails.
Get the Texture Right
Before applying magnetic gel, remove the inhibition layer from your base color using alcohol and a lint-free wipe.
This helps prevent contamination and allows for better particle movement, which means more sparkle and a stronger velvet effect.
A velvet nail art look by Rachel Messick
Work One Nail at a Time
Because magnetic gel is designed to move, work one nail at a time and cure as you alternate between fingers or hands.
Fixing a Slip-Up
If the particles aren't moving the way you'd like or you accidentally create a dark spot, don't cure it.
Apply a little more magnetic gel to refresh the surface and try again.
Once you're happy with the effect, cure.
Off-White Fall 2020
Experiment
You're not limited to a black base color.
Try layering magnetic gel over different shades and finishes to create unique effects. Just keep in mind that many magnetic gels have a gray undertone that can darken and cool the color underneath.
You can also mix magnetic powders into sheer or jelly gels to create custom magnetic shades.
Ready to create some velvet nails? Watch the tutorial below.
Products Used
Kokoist Color Gel E-148 Blackest Black
Kokoist Round Brush
Kokoist Dragon's Eye Gel D-06 Pink Gold
Kokoist Ultra Glossy Non-Wipe Top Coat Gel
Disclosure: This post was originally published before I became a Kokoist USA educator and affiliate partner. Affiliate links or discount codes may be included. For additional information, please visit my Disclosure Policy at rachelmessick.com/disclosure.
