Airbrushing of nails: technology, materials, tips and design ideas

An exciting method for producing eye-catching, elaborate designs is airbrushing nails. With the accuracy of an airbrush, this method produces a broad variety of styles, from subtle gradients to striking patterns. It’s a favorite among nail technicians who wish to offer their customers something distinctive and striking.

To achieve a smooth, polished finish, tiny layers of color are sprayed onto the nails using an airbrush machine. Beyond what conventional nail polish can do, you can achieve incredible results with the right supplies and a little practice.

The possibilities for design are endless when using airbrushing, regardless of experience level in nail art. This post will explore the technology underlying airbrushing nails, the necessary supplies, practical advice, and imaginative

Topic Description
Technology Airbrushing on nails involves using a special spray gun to apply fine layers of polish, creating smooth gradients and intricate designs.
Materials The main materials used for airbrushing are an airbrush machine, nail stencils, specialized nail paint, and a compressor for controlling the airflow.
Tips Start with a clean base, practice controlling the spray for even coverage, and use stencils for precise designs. Finish with a top coat for durability.

What is airbrushing of nails

The process of airbrushing involves applying paint to nails using an airbrush, a tool that delivers pigment under the influence of air.

Another name for the technique is "air painting." Generally speaking, airbrushing involves fine spraying paint to create drawings and backgrounds on nails.

A hose connects the handle and compressor of an airbrush. Under pressure, the compressor pushes air into the handle. The paint tank and nozzle are on the handle. The nozzle is made up of two parts: an air part and a material part.

The material nozzle is available in various sizes, ranging from 0.15 to 0.2 mm, to facilitate the creation of nail designs. The nozzle only receives paint when the handle is pressed. Paint cannot flow out of the nozzle when it is in the inactive position because a needle on the inside closes it.

Airbrushes for nails come in two varieties: simple and double-action.

  • Simple – Allow you to control the paint supply, but not the air flow. The tool is more suitable for working with stencils and creating three-dimensional drawings, graphic designs.
  • Double-action – Differ from simple ones by the presence of a valve that regulates the air flow. Thanks to this, the master has the opportunity to accurately draw the smallest details by hand. It can change the thickness or clarity of the edges of the drawing, lines and strokes.

A pipette for collecting paint and brushes for cleaning are typically included with an airbrush. Additional extended sets with liquids and solvents for cleaning the device are available for purchase.

Liquid paint aerosols, in which the pigment is contained in either reusable or disposable cans, are another method for airbrushing.

The speed and simplicity with which airbrushing can produce multicolored backgrounds and clean gradient transitions sets it apart from other forms of design.

It allows for quick stencil drawings even at home and allows the master to experiment with different shade combinations in a much shorter amount of time than they would have to spend on similar manual processes.

Materials for airbrushing nails

Numerous nail designs, including ombre or gradients, graphic designs, and artistic painting with stickers and stencils—which are sold separately for use with an airbrush—can be created with an airbrush.

The following set is required for design in this technique:

  • Airbrush
  • A set of paints for an airbrush
  • A pipette for collecting paint
  • Stickers, stencils for applying designs
  • Protective stickers for the skin around the nail (optional)
  • Training tips
  • Tweezers
  • Acid-free primer
  • Glossy and matte top
  • Buff for natural nails
  • Cleanser for removing the sticky layer
  • Airbrush cleaner, with a brush

Two to three drops of airbrush paint are required to treat one hand; the paint is sold ready to use.

Paints with an acrylic base are suggested. Premium and Fluo are well-known producers of acrylic paints for airbrushing. They are available for purchase both offline and online at specialty stores.

Airbrush design using stencils

It is advised to consider the entire composition right away before applying the drawing. This will cut down on work time, and you won’t have to start over if something doesn’t work out the first time. One nail on training tips can be made and used as a reference. This is particularly crucial when working out a new composition by masters or practicing the initial designs.

When designing a design, one or more stencils are chosen, the necessary paints are mixed or chosen, the airbrush is assembled, and the tool is used to measure the paint supply distance. If you are a salon expert, it is convenient to perform this on a napkin, a piece of paper, or even a glove with your second hand. After that, the paint can be removed with water or a cleanser.

Elastic, flexible film is used to make airbrush stencils. It covers the side sections well and is firmly glued to the nail’s surface. Use an orange stick to cover the sides as well for optimal adhesion. As a result, the paint will not flow into the cuticle area.

Because the stencils were cut with extreme precision at the factory, their edges are clear and uniform. The drawings are produced without any smudges or streaks, and frequently they can’t be distinguished from fine art paintings.

It uses stencils of the second kind. They assist in the creation of abstract drawings that do not require the use of distinct lines. These stencils are affixed to the nails from above, and an airbrush is then used to spray the pigment.

Preparing nails and cuticles for airbrushing

This phase is brief but crucial. It entails first applying a protective lotion or agent to the cuticle, particularly if the client has sensitive, dry skin. The pigment can be readily removed from the skin after airbrushing using water or a cleanser containing acetone or alcohol, but this can further dry out the cuticle area in people with dry skin.

Cuticle protection stickers are available for purchase. They are affixed to the skin around the nail and removed via airbrushing. After treating the first hand, the stickers can be used on the second; one re-fixation is sufficient for the sticky layer.

A fully applied varnish coating is used for airbrushing. The nails are painted in two layers if the polish is gel. Then, based on whether you use a top with a matte or glossy surface, you have two options for surface treatment.

The sticky layer is removed from the gel polish before applying a matte top coat, and the design is then airbrushed on.

If you use a glossy top, you will need to use a buff to remove some of the shine in the areas that will be airbrushed after the sticky layer has been removed. In this manner, the manicure will last longer and the paint will lay much more firmly.

To ensure that the paint adheres properly to the sides and tips of the nails, buffing is essential. Following the application of the design, a top is used to seal the surface and tips.

Step-by-step airbrushing on nails

We will go through each of the features of using the device one by one while using the most well-known and classic version of the ombre design as an example.

Simply plug the airbrush in, change the air flow rate and nozzle diameter, and then load it with the paint of your choice. Two to three drops of gray pigment and a pipette are required. By diluting the pigment with an acrylic paint solvent, you can adjust the shade’s intensity.

  1. Apply two layers of pink or beige gel polish, dry each in a lamp.
  2. Cover the nails with a matte top, dry in a lamp.
  3. Remove the sticky layer from the top.
  4. Refill the airbrush
  5. Test the intensity of the paint flow, try on the spraying distance
  6. Spray the paint on each nail with a very thin layer using pendulum-like rocking movements, increasing the color intensity by layering.
  7. Let the paint dry completely for another minute, and cover the nails with the top.
  8. Remove the sticky layer and the design is ready.

Skilled artists advise applying the paint so that it "dries in the air," or rests on the nails in a nearly dry layer. The paint should only change the color intensity on the sprayed background; it shouldn’t be visible in the air when it’s applied. Working in thinner layers is preferable to applying a lot of paint at once and getting smudges and streaks.

Airbrush design ideas

With this device, nail art can be created artistically in miraculous ways. Mastering a tool typically takes two to three days of work. They can be employed in a variety of ways to produce drawings. The most well-liked and sought-after:

  • Ombre
  • French
  • Moon
  • Graphic transitions
  • Flowers
  • Small thematic images from templates

Let’s begin with a classic: straightforward gradients with two to four shades.

Using an airbrush, create a red and yellow gradient on your nails.

Medium-length and short nails can benefit from an airbrush manicure. The length of the free edge allows for adjustment of the "smudges"’ severity.

The traditional French design is given new life by the same distinct lines of the French manicure, but with sticky flats and gradient spraying instead. It is preferable to cross the stripes multiple times on long nails. When half a ton of gray is added to white, an odd game of shades is produced at the intersection of the lines.

Another common choice for a French manicure is to paint the tips over the fixed ombre effect, with the gradient serving as the background. Instead of using black, try this design with rich contrasting shades for a variety of outfit options. To create a festive vibe, arrange the rhinestones in a layout on the ring fingers.

An airbrushed French manicure, deep and charming.

You can create different shades of a French manicure using the same technique; either way, the results will be stunning.

Combining various graphic stickers into one design creates a unique volume effect. To accentuate the line play, combine two or three colors. To achieve symmetrical patterns on all of your nails, try drawing a design on the tips before you start.

Several possibilities for airbrushing geometric designs.

The airbrush can be used to create delicate, romantic nail designs in the white-pink color spectrum. All that’s left to do is add some festive décor, like stucco, sand, and rhinestones. One major benefit is that the pigment can be sprayed evenly on volumetric rough surfaces, something that the sponge cannot do and which prevents gradient transitions.

For an experienced artist, having an airbrush on hand becomes almost a requirement when working with picky and imaginative clients. Add to your toolkit if you need to save time and obtain fresh, enthusiastic recommendations. After you have mastered the technique, using it will become a constant source of enjoyment, which will take a few days to achieve. Which concepts will you try first? Please share in the comments section.

Airbrush nail art is a flexible method that makes it simple to create elaborate, salon-quality designs. This technique can create anything from intricate patterns to smooth gradients using an airbrush tool and specialty paints. This post will go over the basics of airbrushing, necessary supplies, beginner-friendly advice, and artistic design ideas to get you inspired for your next manicure.

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The creative possibilities are endless when it comes to airbrushing nails. Anyone can create gorgeous designs that are both distinctive and professional-looking with the correct equipment and supplies. Airbrushing provides countless design possibilities, regardless of whether you’re going for delicate details or bold patterns.

It takes practice to become proficient with the technology, but if you have a little patience, you can make stunning nail art that will stand out. To create your unique look, don’t be scared to try out various colors, stencils, and techniques.

Remember that preparation is the secret to excellent airbrushing. To guarantee long-lasting results, make sure your nails are clean and well-prepared. Also, select high-quality products. When done correctly, airbrushed nails can be a rewarding and enjoyable way to showcase your artistic side.

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Ekaterina Belova

Hello! I am Ekaterina, a nail design master and teacher with many years of experience. My creativity is my passion. I am always looking for inspiration and new ideas for nail art. On this site I publish my original master classes, talk about the most interesting techniques and share step-by-step instructions for creating unique designs. Here you will find everything you need to develop your skills in nail art.

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