Coating layers in manicure – what is it, learning how to apply it correctly

It takes more than just choosing the appropriate color to get the ideal manicure. The way you apply each coat of nail polish holds the key to its success. Every layer, from the base coat to the top coat, is essential to ensuring that your manicure looks amazing and lasts as long as possible.

However, what are these layers precisely, and how should they be used? Recognizing the significance of every step can help you improve your technique, regardless of your experience level.

We will dissect the fundamentals of layer coating in manicures in this article. You’ll discover the functions of each layer, their significance, and the proper application techniques for a polished appearance.

Coating zones of the nail plates

The application of multiple layers of materials with various purposes, intended to preserve, strengthen, and decorate the nails, is known as a modern manicure with coating.

The nail’s surface is divided into four coating zones, each with specific guidelines for where to place the brush, how much pressure to apply, and how quickly to stroke:

Central region beneath the painting line or cuticle. To avoid touching the cuticle and smudging the paint, there are three methods to apply the material to the painting line:

• With a thin brush. Pick a small amount of material on the tip of the brush and draw a line along the cuticle.
• Pushing. Place the brush almost butt-on to the cuticle line, flatten the brush at an angle of 25 degrees and push it in with a step of 0.5 mm, bring the material to the roller. The biggest mistake in this method of painting is to take a large amount of material on the brush and push it from afar under the cuticle with a sharp pushing motion.
• Fan technique. Flatten the brush and bring it into the sinus, move the corner of the fan of the brush along the cuticle line and go to the second sinus. With one pressure, draw a “fan” with the brush.

Central plane is the easiest area for painting. On the central plane, we need to hold the brush at an angle of 25 degrees, pressing on the dome of the brush to flatten the brush on the surface of the nail and get a good contact area. Along the central plane, we move only with long movements, without interruption. When moving, the brush drops almost to the plane with the nail surface, and we pull it towards ourselves. The angle is only 3-5 degrees. You cannot lift the brush by 45 degrees on the central plane and pull it towards yourself, this way we remove all the color behind us. In no case should you press the varnish with a brush;

Slopes or side planes. In order to draw side lines beautifully, you must step back from the nail’s end line. To do this, move the brush one millimeter instead of placing it end to end with the side portion. We do this so that when the brush is pressed, it flattens and appears to be "drove" to the periungual fold rather than touching it. It is not advised to make strokes when painting; we apply one pressure in a single, strictly downward movement;

Sinus rotates. Position the brush perpendicularly, one millimeter away from the bend, smooth it out, and apply paint to the sinus surrounding the curve.

If brush painting scars bothers you, you can paint over the sinuses separately and then cover the other areas.

Coating layers

It is essential to apply materials according to the right order and technique in order to achieve a stunning and high-quality coating. There are a number of crucial things to consider:

Layers of coating rely on:

• The original architecture of the nail. If the nail plate is flat or with flaws, then the leveling layers will be denser to raise the architecture, make the nails with a bend, that is, a beautiful arch. And vice versa, if the nail is without flaws, with the correct bend, then it will be enough to apply one thin layer of the base material.
• From the consistency and density of the materials used. More fluid varnishes with a medium consistency produce thinner layers, graceful. Thicker materials lay down more densely.
• From the design, requiring fixation. The more different designs are combined on the nails that need to be covered and fixed with a top, the thicker the nails will be, which means that initially, the base must be made elegant.

Closing the chapter In the following situations, the nail plate’s free edge is made:

• In various strengthening systems, if this is required by the application technique prescribed in the instructions for use;
• On thin nails, if you want to protect and strengthen the free edge of the plate;
• At will, especially if it turns out neat. But it is best to make a beautiful and correct architecture and refuse to seal. This way the nails will look neater and aesthetically attractive.

Extent of coverage. You should take into account the following to avoid layers of decorative manicure applied to the natural nail growing back and creating an ugly "step":

• If the sinuses are narrow and low, then the base and color are joined with the roller.
• If the sinuses are open and deep, then the base is pushed under the roller by 0.5-1 mm, and the color by 0.5 mm. The top is laid out end to end with the roller.

The base, color, and top are the three primary products that we apply in a precise order.

Knowing the various layers of coating involved in a manicure is essential to achieving a perfect manicure. Every layer, from base coats to top coats, serves a distinct function and is essential to the overall appearance and longevity of your nails. Acquiring the skill to apply these layers correctly prolongs the life of your manicure while maintaining the strength and health of your nails.

Base coat

A one-color layer that serves as decorative varnish’s foundation. The base lengthens the wearable period of decorative nail art by strengthening the nail plate, leveling it, guarding against colored varnish pigment seeping into the nail, and ensuring that the natural nail and coating interact well.

Base coats are available in the following varieties:

• Rubber. The most common composition. Rubber gives a thick dense structure and perfectly strengthens.
• Silicone. Easily applied to the nail, and also allows the most gentle way to remove the coating.
• Acrylic. Contains acrylic powder, which gives strength to nails during extension.
• Gel or camouflage. Combines base, top and colored gel polish. It lasts much less on nails, so it is mainly used as a base for light gel polishes for easier painting.
• Vitaminized. It contains vitamins E and D. It is well suited for damaged nails, especially after acrylic extensions.

Colored coating

The most noticeable manicure coating is decorative varnish, which comes in a variety of hues and textures. You can easily create any kind of pattern or effect on your nails with pigmented gel polishes.

Now let’s look at how the initial coat of decorative varnish is applied:

1. Check the base coat for deep irregularities, buns, hairs and bubbles. If there are any flaws, then after applying the pigmented varnish they will be even more noticeable.
2. If desired, you can remove the sticky layer from the base coat.
3. Pick up the color material on the brush and remove the excess from one side.
4. Place the brush on the coating area at the right angle. We looked at these techniques at the beginning of the article.
5. When moving, adjust the pressure on the brush and watch the wave of the material so that longitudinal clots and bald spots do not form.
6. Smooth the material evenly, let it level out.
7. Dry in the lamp.

It is preferable to apply multiple thin layers and let each one dry under a lamp for a deep color. For your manicure, if you started with a varnish that has a rich, saturated pigment, you can apply the following method:

1. Apply a thin, even layer of color as close to the roller as possible, but do not dry it in the lamp.
2. Pick up additional color on the brush and add it to the wet first layer, that is, put a drop.
3. Distribute over the surface as when leveling.
4. Turn your finger at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface of the table for 10 seconds so that the varnish concentrates in the apex.
5. Then check for buns.
6. Dry in a lamp.

This technique improves the architecture of the nail plate and shortens the time needed to apply the pigmented material.

If you’ve decided to go with pastel-colored nail art, you should think about the following crucial factors:

• Before applying the pastel, make sure that the alignment is done well;
• A white or camouflage base coat is needed under the pastel. If you do not want to make a base coat, then you need to remove the top sticky layer;
• Apply the pastel with a plastic brush with a smooth cut;
• Observe the correct angle of the brush on the surface of the nail;
• Avoid pushing from afar;
• There should be an average amount of material on the brush;
• Align the pastel exclusively with long vertical strokes and at a fast pace. You cannot work with the pastel slowly;
• You also cannot press the brush hard into the pigment.

The beautifully shaded and effortlessly applyable Lunail pastel has shown itself to be incredibly pigmented and easy to use in the workplace.

Achieving a polished and long-lasting manicure requires mastering the application of coating layers. Your nails can look amazing and remain protected for extended periods of time with the correct technique.

Understanding the fundamentals of base coats, color layers, and top coats is crucial whether doing your nails at home or having them done at a salon. Every layer is essential to the overall appearance and longevity of your manicure.

Don’t rush the process; instead, take your time at each step. A well-applied and properly cured manicure can add resilience to appearance. You can achieve flawless nails every time by honing your technique with a little practice.

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