Gradient manicure: preparation, ideas, materials, 6 ways to do it

An elegant and fashionable way to up your nail game is with a gradient manicure, commonly referred to as ombre nails. This method produces a lovely transition effect that can be bold and dramatic or subtle and delicate by smoothly blending two or more colors. Gaining proficiency in gradient manicures is a delightful and fulfilling experience, regardless of your level of experience with nail art.

It’s crucial to comprehend the fundamentals before diving into creating your own masterpiece using gradients. A flawless and long-lasting finish requires preparation, and knowing which supplies to use will make the process much simpler. A gradient effect can be created in a number of ways, each with its own distinct appearance and feel. This post will discuss six different methods, ideas, and pointers to help you create gorgeous gradient nails that go with your style.

What is a gradient in manicure, features in preparing the design and choosing colors

An ombre or gradient manicure is one that features several shades of varnish or paint applied to the nail plate in smooth horizontal, vertical, and diagonal transitions.

Gradient with scratches on the mirror

The most common choice is to combine two or three hues. In a set, the densest or darkest color always "works." This will have the least impact on other colors’ saturation and coloring because it will be required the least.

Therefore, when doing a gradient manicure using pink and red, a brush should be used to introduce a darker shade of red into the pink, painting over the intermediate zone smoothly, and then creating a third color, coral, at the intersection.

The hardest shade combination to master is a gradient of black and red. Experts assert that once you get the hang of the black and red ombre, all other color combinations will look simple. This is because the color black is considered to be the "dirtiest" in the color palette. A single uneven stroke or an additional drop of black can completely destroy the transition. particularly when using a brush.

Mirror rubbing and nude ombre

It is preferable to use the color wheel to guide your gradient shade selection. Companion colors complement each other well; cold tones go well with cold tones and warm tones with warm tones. contrasting colors seem unique.

When creating a gradient manicure, working with neon gel polishes is the most straightforward option for novices. On the blending line, neon colors blend together flawlessly, and the ombre always has a nearly undetectable transition.

1. It is recommended to use white varnish for the base. This is more relevant if you use thin, dim shades for the gradient. White makes light and pastel colors brighter and more expressive.
2. The second option is to use the lightest shade of varnish from those chosen for the composition for the base. If the colors are well pigmented, you can work without a base, applying the shades directly to the base under the varnish.

Whether using paint or varnish, applying the gradient in two or more layers is advised. Even when they are just learning the technique, beginners can achieve a flawlessly smooth coating by using self-leveling gel polish.

Materials that will be needed to make the gradient

You might require different supplies and equipment depending on the gradient application technique that you decide on. All the necessary materials will be provided; all you have to do is select the appropriate item from the list below for each unique design.

1. Gel polish in 2, 3 shades or shellac
2. Acrylic paint when working with an airbrush or sponge (optional)
3. Gel paint
4. White gel polish or shellac for the base/substrate
5. Base, top for gel polish
6. Degreaser, dehydrator
7. Brush: flat, comb, fan
8. Acrylic powder of different shades (for gradient powder design)
9. Pigments (for ombre manicure with pigments)
10. Cuticle protector: cream, tape, liquid cuticle tape, cuticle stickers
11. Cuticle oil at the final stage

Online resources abound with step-by-step instructions and practical tips for creating your own comb brush. Any flat brush will work for acrylic or watercolor paints; just cut it with scissors.

Brush with comb for ombre manicure

Preserving it before beginning work will help ensure that the paint or varnish is not removed from the cuticle using any force. A nourishing cream can be gently applied, but if it gets inside the gel polish while using a sponge, the polish will bubble up.

For cuticles, ordinary tape or PVA glue are frequently used at home. Nail technicians use a liquid product called Skin Defender in salons; it works similarly to PVA glue. When you apply it to the cuticle, a thin, elastic film is formed as it hardens. Just peel off the film once the gradient has been applied, and the skin is still clean.

6 ways to make a gradient with step-by-step instructions

Gradient of pink peaches

Because of this technique’s growing popularity, manicure enthusiasts and nail technicians are constantly coming up with new applications for it. They are appropriate for varying levels of ombre proficiency and are simple to execute. The easiest is to use a sponge. Professional grade: using an airbrush and brush.

The invention of the airbrush was a true innovation. It enables nail technicians to create the perfect soft transitions while saving time and supplies.

Consequently, six methods:

1. Sponge
2. Flat or comb brush
3. Fan brush
4. Pigment
5. Acrylic powder
6. Airbrush

Let’s examine each approach one by one. Regular varnish is not used in the instructions; instead, gel varnishes, paints, and other materials from the aforementioned list are used. When using regular varnish, a significant amount of time will need to pass for the base, varnish, and top layers to dry completely in order to fix the ombre.

The nails must first be prepared, the surface must be buffed and degreased, dust must be removed, and the cuticle must be protected. A cut or uncut manicure may also be performed.

Gradient with a sponge: how to make with gel varnish

A well-liked, easy-to-use, and tested method of gradient creation. You can use a standard kitchen sponge with tiny pores or work with a specialized sponge for ombre. Using a sponge to wash an automobile is an alternative. These are typically big, fine-pored sponges, so there’s a long supply available.

To get rid of tiny dust and particles, you can either use tape to cover the work surface or wash and dry a fresh sponge. They can result in bubbles and will undoubtedly become lodged in the varnish layer.

1. Apply a base or white base.
2. Put 2 drops of varnish shades on a piece of foil, mix them with a stick to create a transition of shades.
3. Dip a sponge in the colors and apply to the nail so that the stripes are horizontal. You can do this vertically or diagonally if you wish. To avoid “bubbles”, you can press the sponge to the foil once or twice to remove the air, and then move on to the nail.
4. Patting movements transfer the design to the nail. Do not pull the shades so as not to smear the transition. Make 2-3 layers.
5. Dry in a lamp and cover with a top.
6. Remove the dispersion layer and process the cuticle.

The second sponge-based method:

1. Cover the nails with a white base or base.
2. Paint the nail with stripes of the varnish chosen for the gradient.
3. With a sponge, patting movements mix the layers on the nail, do not pull.
4. Repeat in 2 or 3 layers. It is recommended to take a break of several minutes between them so that the varnish “settles down”. Remove excess with a brush, wait until the bubbles settle.
5. Only then dry in a lamp.
6. Coat with top, dry, remove the sticky layer.
7. Process the cuticle.

Gradient with a flat or comb brush with gel polish

1. Coat the nails with a base layer of gel polish. This can be a white or pink shade, as it is lighter in the selected combination of pink and blue.
2. Apply the shades chosen for the gradient to the base layer – pink at the top and blue at the bottom. Varnishes can be applied end-to-end or leave a small gap if these are dark, contrasting tones, so as not to smear the brush.
3. Wet the brush in cleanser to achieve the effect of light moisture. Then it is convenient to wipe it on a cotton pad, also soaked in cleanser. Some masters use wet baby wipes for work. The brush is initially blotted with a napkin, and then all the remains of the varnish are also removed from the brush with a damp napkin during the work.
4. Holding the brush almost parallel to the nail, we begin to “pull” the pink color down from the cuticle with light touches, moving from side to side. It is important to immediately mark to what area you will “pull” the top color, and more intensively remove the color from the brush in the final transition zone.
5. We make light ombre in two or three layers. Dry each in the lamp.
6. We begin a new layer by applying shades along the old transition lines, then pull it back with a brush.
7. It is important to constantly remove excess varnish from the brush. In the free edge area, the layer should be thin and neat.
8. We seal the resulting ombre layers with top, dry in the lamp.
9. Remove the sticky layer, remove the protection from the cuticle and treat it with oil.

Gradient with a fan brush

Although the transition is not as even and smooth as it is with other methods, even beginners can use this technique to work quickly and achieve good results.

1. Apply the base pink color in two layers.
2. Mix pink and red 1:1 on foil and apply the resulting color to the transition area on the nail with a brush.
3. Apply red color to the tip of the nail.
4. Wet the fan brush by pressing it to a napkin soaked in cleanser.
5. Set the brush perpendicular to the nail and "sweep" layers of varnish from left to right again and again until you get the desired intensity of the transition.
6. Dry in a lamp.
7. Repeat everything with the second layer, dry in a lamp.
8. Secure the result with a top and process the cuticle.

Gradient with pigments

Use just a base or white gel polish for the base. If you are using pigments for the entire gradient in two shades rather than just half of the nail, then a base or a silver coat of varnish will suffice. The adhesive layer remains intact.

1. Cover the nail with two layers of colored blue or turquoise varnish.
2. Use a flat or round brush to select the pigment and apply it to the sticky layer with small strokes, lightly patting movements.
3. We move from the zone of maximum color intensity to the transition zone depending on how you arrange the shades.
4. We make the pigment layer thin but dense.
5. If you combine two pigments, then in the same way start applying it from the edge to the middle of the nail. In the middle, where the two pigments meet, carefully mix them with a brush, drawing one into the other. We pick up the pigment and put it where bald spots are formed.
6. Seal the result with a top.
7. We process the cuticle.

Depth with acrylic powder

A straightforward technique appropriate for novices. With the fewest possible strokes, a transition effect is produced by a fine, loose texture.

1. Paint the nails with white varnish, dry in a lamp.
2. Cover the nails with a top, leave a dispersion layer.
3. We collect one shade of powder on a fan brush and sprinkle it on half of the nail with small movements. We start from the zone of the most intense color placement and move towards the transition zone as the amount of powder on the brush decreases. The higher the brush is above the working surface of the nail, the wider, thinner and blurrier the layer is, so closer to the mixing zone, we raise the brush higher.
4. Periodically shake off excess powder to ensure an even coating.
5. We do the same with the second shade of powder.
6. Dry in a lamp.
7. Brush off the remaining powder with a brush.
8. Use a soft buff to remove rough bumps to achieve a uniform coating.
9. We process the cuticle.

Gradient manicures are a chic and adaptable option that can enhance any ensemble by smoothly blending colors to produce a breathtaking effect on your nails. This post will go over the necessary supplies, inventive ideas, and preparatory steps to pull off the ideal gradient manicure. Additionally, you’ll discover six distinct methods for mastering this well-liked nail art trend, which will make it simple for you to create stunning, salon-quality gradients at home.

Gradient with shellac: how to do it with an airbrush

A gradient with minimal time and effort expenditure. Paint and an airbrush are required for this project. An extremely smooth and soft transition can be achieved with airbrushing, particularly with white-beige hues. For creating French and wedding manicures, airbrushing is very popular. Learn more about the applications and methods of airbrushing for nail art.

1. Cover the nails with shellac using the base color.
2. Dry.
3. We fix the shellac with a top.
4. We remove the dispersion layer.
5. Fill the airbrush with white pigment.
6. We spray the paint with a thin layer, wait 2 minutes while it dries.
7. We fix the result with a top.
8. Remove the dispersion layer.
9. We process the cuticle.

Ideas for the gradient

You can increase the quantity of designs that are close to the ideas in addition to the techniques mentioned above for applying the gradient with various textures:

1. Drawings on the background of ombre
2. Decoration with rhinestones

If you work with clients, become proficient in multiple application techniques to select the most practical and cost-effective ones in terms of both time and materials. Which are you going to try first? Tell us about your go-to techniques for applying gradients.

Share with friends!

Popular on the topic Manicure

Ideas for long nails manicures

Our impressions of the recently launched Beauty-Free gel polish collection

Ideas for orange manicures

Ideas for a nude manicure

Manicure and pedicure lamps: varieties, attributes, well-known brands

Nail design: master class Slavic patterns

How to select a nail polish color that complements your skin tone

Carnival: modeling acrylic stiletto nails and French art

Ideas for a burgundy manicure

Germany’s finest milling cutters for hardware manicures

Magazine Sections

Express your opinion or ask question! Cancel reply

Topic	Details
Preparation	Clean nails, remove old polish, shape nails, and apply a base coat.
Ideas	Try color transitions from light to dark, or experiment with pastel shades.
Materials	Nail polish in different shades, makeup sponge, top coat, and nail tape.
Method 1	Apply polish on the sponge and dab onto nails for a seamless gradient.
Method 2	Use a brush to blend colors directly on the nail.
Method 3	Apply polish in layers, starting with the lightest shade.
Method 4	Create a gradient using a sponge dipped in acetone.
Method

A creative and enjoyable way to up your nail art game is to create a gradient manicure. You can create a gorgeous appearance that works for any occasion with a little planning and the appropriate supplies.

Try a variety of techniques until you find the one that suits you the most, whether you like the smoothness of an airbrush, the ease of use of sponges, or the precision of brushes. Every method provides a distinct finish, allowing you to freely express your personal style.

Play around with colors and designs without fear. Gradient nails are a great option for anyone looking to add a pop of color and creativity to their manicure because of their versatility.

Video on the topic

How to make a gradient with a brush??

Baby Boomer manicure GEL

Nail design: gradient gel polish. 6 WAYS