100 Ways to Lose Weight 

How to use mica for nail design. Dry coating instructions. Secrets of performing manicure

Every girl wants to be irresistible, and sometimes, in order to show herself to the world, a couple of catchy drawings or beautiful iridescent particles on the nails are enough. Such a manicure looks very stylish and expensive, but in fact it does not represent anything complicated: the main material is mica, and it is very easy to work with it.

What it is?

First of all, mica is a mineral. It is often found in nature and has a pleasant iridescent pearlescent appearance, shines and has a very pleasant texture. They found application both in jewelry and cosmetics. Most often, mica is used for manicure, but this is no longer the same natural material, but artificial, but completely repeating the properties of a natural counterpart.


Views

Most often, artificial mica is produced in liquid or dry form - the first option is more popular, the liquid texture is easier to use, well distributed and is the most common. Liquid mica is an almost non-embossed fine sparkling powder in a varnish form, so the manicure with it comes out smooth and perfectly even. It can be used on both short and long nails, as well as at home - it's easy to work with liquid mica. Dry mica looks like very small shiny dense plates that look like foil or shavings. It is easy to confuse it with holographic rub. There is a monochromatic crumbly mica, with combined colors or plates of different sizes and shapes - the choice is truly huge, and it is sold in every major cosmetic store. It is this type that is most often used when building up or the so-called design " Aquarium».



Also separately mentioned is the chameleon mica. It can be either liquid or dry, and represents particles of similar shades iridescent in the sun - for example, red and orange or pink and purple. They refract under the sun and create a color change effect.



Peculiarities

It is thanks to mica that you can create a 3D effect on the nails. It can create a truly embossed pattern with a flat, smooth finish. Various patterns under a transparent top look very interesting, especially in combination with rhinestones, beads and patterns. In general, the options for manicure with this miracle of the cosmetic industry are amazing. It will be equally interesting to look like a jacket with iridescent tips, patterns and patterns with mica, combinations of several different colors on the nails.

You can also find varnishes with mica - its particles are already mixed into the varnish, so all that remains is to cover your nails with it.



With dry mica, you can create a real holography on nails - particles of different sizes are refracted in different ways in the light and sparkle differently. Liquid mica, from a distance, looks more like a familiar glitter. And even dry mica can, if necessary, grind with nail scissors yourself. And the price of mica is really amazing - it costs quite a budget, and if you use not a gel polish, but an ordinary one, then you can also save on materials.


How to use?

Working with dry and liquid mica is, of course, quite different from each other. However, there is one constant - the nails need to be prepared step by step in any case. File them, remove or tidy up the cuticles, use a peeling or salt bath, and in the end, moisten them well, then degrease. Next, apply one coat of gel polish and dry thoroughly. After - the second layer, but do not let it dry completely and do not remove the sticky layer, because it is on it that the mica should be fixed. Use an orange stick or toothpick to begin transferring the mica to your nail. Proceed gently, quickly, but not hastily - the particles should not touch the lateral ridges and cuticles.


Now it's the turn of the cling film. Gently pack your finger into it, while gently pressing the mica against the nail in parallel with the patting movements of the fingertips. Place your finger under the gel lamp for twenty to thirty seconds. The final step is to apply a layer of fixer. Make sure that the mica is firmly under it, does not fall off - the nail should be perfectly smooth, without roughness. Pollen may form - shake it off, apply more fixative and now you can remove the sticky layer.


Also, it is crumbly mica that is used for building.

Getting started is no different from the usual extension - you need to form a nail with acrylic or gel in special forms located under the free edge of a natural nail. After applying colored varnish and gently with an orange stick or a toothpick, you can distribute the pieces of mica with a dots on the not completely dry coating. Next, dry your nails in the lamp and cover with a top - if necessary, twice. Unlike dry mica, liquid mica is spread with a flat brush or the one that comes with it in the package. You should dry the first layer of varnish in the same way, without removing the sticky layer, carefully distribute the powder over it - it lays down easily - and dry it in a lamp for about twenty seconds. In the case of liquid mica, applying a second layer of the top is optional - the nail plate is aligned and so on.


Aquarium design

The design called “ Aquarium", Because mica has become popular precisely because of it. This technique allows you to apply voluminous patterns or compositions of various materials (mica, glitter, sequins, powder, dried flowers) to nails and hide them behind a "glass" top - a tool that creates a three-dimensional effect. Upon examination, it seems that the images are hidden behind glass, placed in an aquarium with water. " Aquarium"Also differs not only in beauty, but also in strength and durability - the" glass "top lasts about eight weeks and reliably seals the pattern, which allows you to safely engage in any active business. It is suitable for any length and shape of the nail, and extensions can be done with it - it is easier and more pleasant to draw on long nails.



Mica is ideal for this particular technique, because it is an iridescent plate or sand, the luster of which only intensifies under the glass cover. It also completely smooths out all the irregularities that may appear in the case of a dry look of the product and, as it were, fills in all the flaws and micro-cracks of the varnish itself. As a rule, such a manicure looks very difficult - it seems as if the drawing was made with special paints or in several layers - but it's all about the glass top.


Geometry on the nails

Large dry mica is ideal for creating geometric patterns. It can be cut into different pieces and create the effects of cracked glass or shards. The main principle of geometric manicure is the use of various shapes - triangles, squares or rectangles, which are easy to cut from dry mica. In this case, you will need a base varnish - black or any other dark shade, a set for gel varnish and light coarse dry mica will look great. You must come up with a pattern in advance, cut the mica into the necessary pieces and later gently glue it onto the still sticky layer of varnish, cover with cling film and wait.

The base polish can be matte for even more contrast, and you may not want to use mica on all your fingers.

French

French manicure is an unshakable classic. This is a manicure when the tip of the nail is covered with a darker varnish than its base. But no one bothers to slightly change this design - for example, paint the plate with roses or other flowers, and make the tip sparkling. To do this, you will need a familiar set - gel polish, gel lamp, stencils for French manicure and mica itself - it can be either liquid or dry. In the case of nail extension, also the shape and material. The principle of operation is not very different from covering the entire nail with mica - it's just a matter of stencils. First of all, prepare your nails as usual - file, trim, deal with cuticles and degrease.

The use of mica material in manicure is a fairly new trend in nail art.

In this article we will tell you what effects can be achieved with its help and how long such a design will last. We will also provide step-by-step schemes for decorating a manicure with mica.

Mica is the secret of sparkling manicure

Manicure mica is a small thin plate, similar to shavings or pieces of foil, has a pearlescent shine, and shimmers under the influence of light, which gives the decorated nails additional volume and depth of color.

This is a light, almost weightless decoration, so it does not require an obligatory extension.

This design can be done on natural (short or long) nails of various shapes (from oval to sharp).

However, it is usually used precisely on extended nails, since the design must be "sealed", i.e. cover with an additional layer of varnish. Otherwise, the plate will be ribbed, rough, and pieces of decoration will quickly fly off.

Types of manicure mica

There are two types: regular and liquid.

Regular is a powder material made of dry glitter, dense and hard.

Some of them are too large, so before a manicure you need to inspect the material and cut those plates that are too large with scissors.

You can decorate any area of ​​the nail. To lay out sequins you need:

  • base (varnish);
  • drying-fixer;
  • stick or brush;
  • container with water.

You need to apply the plates to the newly laid layer of varnish with a stick. Use a brush to cover the entire nail.

Liquid mica(other names - liquid foil, wet glitter) is a glitter varnish, it lays on the surface more evenly, so you don't have to wield a stick.

Apply base followed by one or two coats of wet gloss. Pieces of mica can "break" through the coating, so fixer will be needed again. This type of material is used to decorate natural nails.

Decorating nails with mica at home step by step

The technique of using liquid and ordinary material is different, but the initial stage is one - you need to process the nails:

  • trimming;
  • grinding;
  • applying a base coat.

Nail design using mica should be done on gel polish, since the glitter firmly "sticks" to the sticky layer, which guarantees a longer service life of the manicure.

Manicure with ordinary mica

  1. Color gel polish is applied to the base, after which it is dried in a lamp for 2 minutes.
  2. With the help of an orange stick, the required pattern is laid out with sparkles.

You can cover the entire nail with a thick layer of mica plates - then it will be cumbersome, heavy, and to create an unobtrusive image, the plates must be distributed at a distance from each other.

  1. Cover the nail with cling film, press it down, gently spreading the mica with your finger.
  2. Dry in the lamp for about 30 seconds.
  3. Peel off the film and apply the final coat of varnish. Dry for another 2 minutes.
Next, you need to carefully examine the resulting design: if there are uneven, protruding pieces, carefully file them, but do not try to straighten them with your finger. Are you sure the surface is smooth? Cover it with another protective layer.

For more information on what ordinary mica is, what happens and how it is applied, see the video.

Liquid Mica Manicure

Liquid gloss has been used successfully on short nails. In this case, cling film is not needed - you need to stock up on a brush.

  1. Apply gel polish to the base layer and dry it in a lamp.
  2. Using a brush, "catch" the sparkles and cover the desired part of the plate with them.
  3. We smooth the surface with a brush. Dry for about 20 seconds.
  4. Apply the final protective layer, dry again.
It is not necessary to apply the second finishing layer, because the structure of the liquid foil is softer. If you find irregularities, grind them with buff.

You will learn more about liquid mica from the video:

Designer delights

For greater effect, cover with mica not the entire nail plate, but part of it:

  1. Apply base, dry, remove the sticky layer.
  2. Apply drawings with gel (flower petals, stripes, geometric shapes), dry. Do not remove the sticky layer.
  3. Apply glitter to the desired elements, blend with a brush - they will remain only on a sticky base.
  4. Brush off the rest.
  5. Cover with a final coat.
If you wish, you can decorate the base with additional lines and monograms. After the secondary decoration, you need to apply another layer of the top.

A video tutorial will tell you how to easily and quickly make a beautiful glass manicure at home.

Bright ideas for manicure with mica


  • Dry mica is a capricious material. Before starting a manicure, carefully examine the plates. If you find large particles, cut them up with scissors. You can do the same with small sequins if you want a beaded pattern.
  • Do not be afraid to put additional layers of the top on the extended nails: mica is knocked out from under one final layer. Several coatings are the key to a long-lasting manicure. If you add another layer of mica after each top, the design will be more voluminous and there will be a beautiful overlay effect.
  • Does the color become cloudy when the nail is polished? Do not worry! Polishing is needed to level the layer. The color and brightness will return when you cover the plate with the top.
  • When using a brush or spatula, remember to soak it in water from time to time to remove magnetization.

Manicure mica adds extra volume to the nails and deepens the color. The design is thus 3D.

For natural nails, liquid foil is suitable, since it lies smoother and does not require strong fixing.

Loose material is ideal for extended nails. With its help, you can bring any ideas to life: from a simple jacket to fancy monograms.

If you are tired of monochromatic manicure or nail designs with various patterns and want something new, bright and effective, then a mica manicure is just what you need! However, you need to be prepared for the fact that a beautiful nail design is almost always very difficult to execute, especially when it comes to doing it yourself.


Natural and decorative material

What does mica look like in nature? This beautiful mineral has a beautiful silvery pearlescent luster and is distinguished by a layered relief surface and a lamellar structure. It is capable of exfoliating into thin sheets with uneven edges. The area of ​​application of this beautiful natural mineral is very diverse. Mica is often and quite successfully used in construction, interior design, stained-glass windows, painting, and even in jewelry.

In the art of manicure, artificial mica is used, which maximally repeats the properties and abilities of a natural analogue. It also features layering and pearlescent luster. Manicure mica is a thin film that resembles a foil with torn edges.

Under artificial lighting and in the rays of sunlight, mica sparkles very beautifully. With its help, when creating a manicure, you can achieve a magnificent 3D effect. Depending on what image you plan to create with this decorative element, all nails or 1 or 2 accent fingers can be decorated.

Views

When performing nail design, two types of decorative mica can be used - dry and liquid. The properties of these materials are somewhat different from each other, as well as the technique of performing manicure with their participation.

Dry mica, or as it is also called, friable, is a small plate that is very similar to foil or small shiny chips of a relatively dense structure. This decorative material is sold in small bags or jars and comes in a variety of colors. Most often, loose material is used when building nails with gel and acrylic, as well as when creating an aquarium design, since a sufficiently thick layer of top coat is needed so that it is not visible above the surface of the nail. Pieces of mica are laid out on the nails one by one and very carefully with the help of orange sticks.

Liquid mica is more like a homogeneous, very fine sparkling powder. This material is lighter, more manageable and flexible, so the nails decorated with it are smooth. It is this type of decorative material that is recommended for use by beginners.

But there is also a third option - shiny pieces added to regular varnish. This version of manicure with mica on gel polish is the easiest to perform, and in terms of its decorative characteristics. At home, it is easiest to use just such a tool.

Secrets of performing manicure

Due to the fact that the dry mica particles are relatively large, it is advisable to use them when making designs on long nails. The technology of performing a manicure with large pieces of mica is much more complicated than with a small defect. However, experts often advise clients to choose it for a festive manicure. Large particles refract light rays beautifully, create an excellent holographic effect and make nails bright and visible.

Liquid mica, when viewed from a distance, looks more like a regular glitter. But this does not make it a less popular material for nail design. The most versatile is chameleon mica, which can change shades when light hits it from different angles.

At home, of course, the easiest way is to use a transparent varnish with the addition of shiny irregularly shaped pieces, which are laid out on the surface of the nails in random order during the manicure process. The photos of manicure with mica, presented below, show how original and attractive it can be. Therefore, you should not be afraid of experimenting when performing a manicure. A little perseverance and perseverance and everything will definitely work out.

It's no secret that a woman's hands can tell a lot about her age. That is why they need careful, and most importantly, regular, care. In this case, it is important not only to lubricate the skin of the hands with nourishing and moisturizing creams, but also to systematically do a manicure. Recently, mica for nails has become more and more popular. How to use this new product, you will learn from today's article.

Main varieties

A bright and sparkling mica manicure with a characteristic volumetric effect instantly attracts the attention of others. Those who first saw this design are sure that specific materials and knowledge of a complex technique are required for its implementation. But in fact, you can repeat this at home.

Mica for nails is a small thin plate differing in color and shape with a holographic effect. To date, two main varieties of this material are produced:

  • Loose mica, which looks like relatively dense pieces of foil. It is often used for building up and in order to avoid the appearance of roughness, a thick layer of gel is applied to the surface of the material.
  • Liquid mica for nails with a softer structure. It evenly lies on the nail plate, so it is often used to work with gel polish. Due to the fact that this mica is easily smoothed with a brush, it is optimal for creating designs on short nails.

Plain mica application technique

In this case, an important role is given to the primary processing of nails. Before applying mica, you need to go through several mandatory steps, including grinding the plate, applying the primer and base.

First, the base is covered with a thin layer of colored gel polish, which is dried in a lamp for two minutes. The captured nail mica is evenly distributed over the surface of the nail. Depending on the chosen design, thin plates can densely cover the base or be neatly placed at a considerable distance from each other. It is important to ensure that the material does not run out onto the side rollers.

After that, the nail is covered with cling film. If necessary, you can gently spread the pieces with your finger. A finger wrapped in foil is placed in the lamp and dried for about thirty seconds. After drying in a special lamp, you need to make sure that all the pieces of mica are laid down evenly. Then the nail is painted with a finishing varnish and polymerized within two minutes.

At the end, you should carefully examine the base and, if necessary, process it with a nail file. For greater reliability, you can walk with a buff on the nail plate. As a result, you should have an absolutely smooth surface.

The second way to apply mica for nails

The varnish of the selected shade is applied to the base and dried in a lamp. For these purposes, you can also use gel polish. Pieces of mica are applied to the sticky layer, captured with a flat brush, leveled well, evenly distributed over the surface of the nail and dried for twenty seconds. A finishing layer is applied on top, and the manicure is ready.

As a rule, such mica for nails does not need additional buffing, since it lays down evenly and does not leave bumps and other irregularities on the plate. Usually, masters are limited to one finishing layer, but for greater reliability, a second one can be applied.

First you need to paint the base in the chosen color, dry it thoroughly and remove the sticky layer. Then you can start creating drawings with gel polish. These can be geometric shapes, stripes, or flowers with wide petals. The patterns are dried without removing the sticky layer. Then mica for nails is applied to them and carefully shaded with a brush. The pieces will only stick where there are sticky areas.

After removing excess material, the base is covered with a top and decorated with fancy patterns. You can brush off the remnants of mica with a dry brush. At the end of the procedure, the finished design is covered with a second layer of the top.

Mica for nails are small shiny pieces of foil. Most often they have a different shape and negligible weight. Mostly mica is used in nail extension. However, you can try to design your nails with mica at home, which I actually did. And, in my opinion, it turned out very much even nothing.

How to do a mica manicure

To make beautiful nails with mica, we need the following:

  • - mica,
  • - clear nail polish,
  • - dots or toothpick,
  • - metal file.

Before you start creating your design, get everything you need ready. For convenience, it is better to pour the mica itself (not all of it!) On a flat surface. And decide on the application option. At the end of the article, there are some interesting options for decorating with mica. There are many options for applying this decorative element. For example, you can decorate the entire nail, create a pattern, combine colors, etc. And you can even make a jacket with mica, that is, decorate only the tips of the nails with it, which, in fact, I did.

Step 1. Draw a strip of clear or colored varnish (I have lilac varnish) on the tip of the nail and immediately start applying mica. It is best to do this with dots - a manicure tool with a round metal end. By the way, I ordered it in the Avon catalog. Of course, dots from Avon are far from the best and most convenient, but still it is better than a toothpick. Although if there is no dots, you can use it.

Step 2. Select small pieces of mica, press on them with a dots or a toothpick and transfer to your nail. After the entire tip of the nail is covered with mica, reapply the clear polish.


Step 3. Do the same with all the other nails. When the clear coat dries a little, press down on the mica more firmly and reapply the clear varnish to the tips of your nails. It is better to press down on mica with a metal file.

Step 4. To keep the mica better, apply another layer of clear varnish. The more layers of varnish there are, the stronger and more beautiful the jacket with mica will look. True, such an unusual manicure will dry for a long time. Therefore, it is better to use mica under gel polish, I wrote about how to use it at home.

If you make mica under gel polish, it is better to apply it on the main (colored) gel polish, then send it under the lamp, then cover it with a top and dry it again. It is advisable to apply 2 - 3 layers of top, then the mica will hold up well.










P.S.: Dasha, thanks for the mica =)