Monochrome manicure – nail design in one color tone

Simplicity and elegance are the hallmarks of a monochromatic manicure. This nail design can create a strong style statement without being unduly complex by concentrating on a single color tone.

A monochromatic manicure offers countless options, whether you go for a bright, bold color or a subdued, muted tone. It’s an adaptable choice that you can easily customize to fit any mood, occasion, or personal preference.

This post will discuss the advantages of monochromatic manicures, various styling options, and how to get the ideal look. Learn how a single color can change your nails, from traditional reds to chic pastels.

Fashionable shades 2024–2024

The Pantone Institute’s forecasts and seasonal fashion shows allow for the compilation of an exhaustive list of 2019–2020 nail art color trends. When designing a single-color design, the shade selection is crucial because it becomes a major accent when creating everyday looks in casual and office settings.

Nail art experts and fashionistas who keep up with industry advancements should be aware of the following colors in manicure design in 2019–2020:

• Red in the shade of "chili pepper"
• Dark burgundy, marsala
• Light pink, cream
• Orange-pink or peach
• Dark brown or bitter-chocolate
• Pink
• Almond or red-brown
• Mustard, yellow-orange
• Dark blue
• Violet-blue "evening sky"
• Gray-blue
• Orange
• Dark green
• Vanilla, creamy (white with a creamy halftone)
• Gray
• Green in the shade of lime or avocado
• Golden coral

The full list of this year’s must-have colors is provided by Pantone. They are fresh, intriguing, and creative when it comes to applying a single color manicure. When restocking the varnish and shellac supply, keep an eye out for these hues. Among them is living coral, also known as coral with a golden undertone, which is the primary color for 2019.

It’s important to consider the colors of the year based on Feng Shui and the Chinese horoscope in addition to Pantone’s recommended hues. They are as follows:

Remember that background neutral shades like black, white, nude, gold, and silver can be used to create a win-win light decor or a daily manicure.

Let’s look at some common single-color manicure designs in the suggested tones. You can test on the colors you like for an entire year.

Marsala and burgundy in a single-color manicure

Every fall and winter, a deep wine color with cool and warm undertones is in style. In everyday versions, it frequently functions as the primary accent of the entire style and embellishes understated yet striking images. Black and gray clothing, as well as gold and silver hand jewelry, look great with burgundy nail art.

Mustard single-color nail art

Chic yellow is better suited for summertime and a more youthful appearance; for older girls and businesswomen, consider mustard-colored nail art for daily wear. They are stunning, understated, and exquisitely accentuate a tan or warm skin tone. complements clothing colors such as green, turquoise, brown, and blue.

Monochrome manicure in shades of olive, lime, avocado

These are the hues that nail art trends 2019–2020 are elevating. Olive goes well with subdued daily attire and skin tones. During beach season, images will be adorned with tones of avocado and lime.

Universal gray design for everyday looks and for a dress code

Those who enjoy simple, uncluttered designs will adore this color combination. A light gray palette is in for 2019 and 2020. A gray design frequently calls for delicate, complimentary embellishments, like silver accents or lines, as in a moon manicure in the lunula area.

Red monochromatic manicure in the shade "chili pepper"

Red nail art is the secret to happiness and self-assurance. Don’t let your décor overshadow a timeless, rich tone. Simple black, gray, or blue clothing can make nail art the main focal point. Experiment with powder and matte textures to achieve a powerful color presentation.

Cream vanilla design for the office

Delicate vanilla shellac can help you decorate your nails without drawing attention away from the color scheme. It’s one of the hottest colors for 2019 and 2020. If you still want to draw attention to the manicure, you can use small rhinestones or broths to complement the color.

Dark blue monochromatic design

All year long, various tones of blue will be in style, but a deep, rich shade is expected to be the most in demand. In addition, tiny sparkles can draw attention to the tone’s depth. In office styles, it can also take the place of black. Fits well with jewelry made of silver. Additional concepts in various blue tones and methods of implementation.

Orange monochromatic manicure

Although bright colors are typically associated with summer, they are currently in style all year round in 2019. Such color contrasts are only going to make winter and demi-season outfits look even better. Select an orange nail polish with hints of peach and yellow. If your skin has the corresponding undertone, there are also shades with a cool undertone.

Nude, beige nail art

If you pair classic beige polish with décor that has hints of glitter and is in the same tone, it will sparkle in a new way. For those who prefer understated solutions and well-balanced color schemes, a nude manicure is a universal answer to a rigid office dress code. Choose a nude color that complements the undertone of your skin.

A monochromatic manicure, in which only one color is used on the nails, provides a chic and classic appearance that works well for any setting. The simplicity and beauty of this style are emphasized, letting the color itself take center stage. Whether you go for a subtle nude, a bright red, or any shade in between, a monochromatic manicure is a simple way to look put together and elegant.

Play of textures and decor in a single-color nail coating

Some people find it boring to have their nails painted only one color. Consider going with a single-color manicure in a trendy texture if you want to experiment with more than just color. The coating’s surface greatly affects how the entire design is perceived. It might be:

• Glossy
• Matte
• Velor
• Powder or powdery
• Shiny with sparkles, rhinestones or kamifubuki
• Caviar in a manicure with bouillons
• Mirror with metallic, rainbow or colored rub-in
• With a "cat"s eye" effect
• With liquid stones in the same color as the coating
• With a velor flock design
• With a transparent volumetric pattern, "dew" effect

It is necessary to become proficient in the application technique specific to each texture. It is advisable for novices to begin with simpler ones as they vary in complexity.

Monochrome kamifubuki design

If you incorporate confetti or kamifubuki into the décor, the nail color will take on a new sheen. Shellac is used to spread out flat glitter, which is then covered with a top and polymerized. You can experiment with the decor’s color or select a glitter color that is as close to the background as feasible.

Caviar monochromatic design with broths

The luxurious evening solution is created from a basic beige varnish shade by the caviar decor’s shimmering volumetric texture. Broths are metallic and translucent. It is preferable to stop at transparent so as not to disrupt the background color.

Velour manicure with flock

Nothing is cozier and more comforting in the winter and on chilly days than a terry design featuring flock. Velour creates an entirely new mood with a seemingly balanced monochromatic background coating that evokes celebration and novelty.

Powdery monochromatic design with velvet sand or acrylic powder

In a monochromatic manicure, the difference between glossy and matte surfaces can serve as the primary focal point. Whereas velvet sand adds volume and has larger fractions, powder is ground finer and only produces a matte finish. Those who need to strengthen their nails even more can also use this design option. You can draw patterns, monograms, and other designs on a varnish surface that is monochromatic, and then cover it with sand or powder to continue drawing on it. Regarding the methods and concepts of the velvet sand manicure.

Design with rhinestones and a contrast of matte and glossy textures

A single-color manicure is enhanced with a unique charm by the placement of bouillons, sparkles, and rinestones in artistic lines or compositions. And you won’t be able to take your eyes off your nails if you combine this with the contrast between glossy and matte surfaces. A stylish shade of blue also draws attention to nail art. More about methods and fascinating concepts involving rhinestones.

Monochrome design with mirror rub-in

Stunning mirror shine and a glossy texture will present any color well, even in the absence of extra decorations. You can experiment with metallic or rainbow colors, or you can use a colored rub-in that matches the varnish. Additionally, there is a rub-in that contains magnetic particles and has a "cat’s eye" effect. Whichever path you decide on, be prepared to stand out and grab everyone’s attention.

Monochrome design “liquid stones”

An eye-catching and vibrant nail design can be achieved with a precious stone made of gel or gel paint. You can use colored foil for the base, tiny rhinestones or crystals in tone, poured into gel, painted bouillons, or cut foil to create a stone that matches the background color. To begin with, you can blend the gel with paint to replicate streaks found in real stones. Select a method that you are proficient in.

Single-color manicure with a transparent pattern or "dew" effect

A single-color manicure will look amazing with popular volumetric drawing applied with gel or top coat. There will be a light play thanks to the "dew" effect on the nails. Using gel polish or shellac without a dispersion layer, a volumetric transparent pattern is applied to an already-completed design and then polymerized in a lamp.

Simple single-color manicure

A square-nail manicure in matte pink.

An in-vogue shade of green is particularly noteworthy during the summer-autumn transition.

Single-color manicure in blue and green.

Three nail design options with vibrant colors are available for those who enjoy brightness and long nails.

Dark brown nail color, suitable for any length of nail.

Another yellow, almost pastel in its calmness.

Here are two single-color nail art ideas for square nails: red-pink and blue.

Trendy techniques for performing nail design in one color tone

Light color transitions within a single color can add diversity to a monochromatic design. This allows you to mix halftones, play with shading, and combine transitions across your entire hand, from finger to finger.

Single-color manicure with similar tones: step-by-step instructions

In ready-made solutions, close tones of varnish can be chosen for application to different fingers on a single hand. For instance, a transition from black and blue to blue and denim varnishes. Alternatively, you can add black or white gel paint to a single color to achieve a similar subtle transition. To carry out this:

1. Paint all nails with one base coat of varnish.
2. With the second layer of varnish, cover two nails on one side of the hand, depending on which way the gradation of shades is planned.
3. Separate a drop of varnish and mix it with white gel paint on a piece of foil until you get a slight difference in shade. Paint the nail and polymerize.
4. On the foil, mix the base polish with a slightly larger drop of paint until you get an even lighter base tone. Paint the next nail and polymerize.
5. Mix another drop of polish with white paint and apply to the last nail.
6. Secure everything with a top coat, polymerize.

The final two nails will be painted in a soft pastel shade that is only slightly different from the base color due to the white undertone.

Because it allows you to use multiple polish tones in one design, monochrome manicures with painting are also very popular. Grisaille is among these methods. What is it, and how is it applied to nail art? Black and white paints with a focus on shadows, or a sepia palette, are used in grisaille design. Once you’ve mastered this technique, you can produce true nail art masterpieces for presentations, exhibitions, and festive solutions for picky customers. Feel free to implement this year’s biggest trend into your nail art as the style is only becoming more and more well-liked.

It turns out that if you work with textures, paint in adjacent grisaille tones, or combine a balanced play of shades within one color, a single-color manicure might not be at all boring. Choose one nail art color that works for you, or select a few for further experiments.

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Benefits of Monochrome Manicure	How to Choose the Right Shade
Creates a sleek and elegant look	Consider your skin tone and wardrobe colors
Easy to match with any outfit	Pick a shade that suits the occasion
Requires less maintenance than complex designs	Experiment with different shades to find your favorite
Versatile for both casual and formal settings	Choose a long-lasting polish for durability
Allows for quick and simple nail updates	Opt for seasonal colors to stay trendy

Monochromatic nail art is a straightforward but fashionable choice. When you stick to a single color, you can create an elegant yet adaptable look that works for any setting.

This nail art method is simple to apply and keep up, which makes it a useful option for people who want a polished appearance without a lot of hassle. In order to add depth and interest without detracting from the overall cohesiveness of the design, different shades, textures, or finishes can be used to enhance the simplicity of monochrome nails.

A monochromatic manicure is a classic that never goes out of style, whether you’re going for a bright, bold shade or a soft, neutral tone.