Imagine matte black nails adorned with gleaming gold foil. Marbled purple masterpieces embellished with a golden touch. Fiery red nails glowing with silver foil accents. These are just a few of the spectacular manicures you can do with foil nail designs.
Did you know there are different types of nail foils with varying application methods? Join us as we explore how to use them. Then, fire up your creativity with the foil nail art below.
What Are Nail Foils?
There are two types of nail foils: leaf and transfers. You’ve probably heard of gold leaf, but those shimmery flakes also come in silver and other colors.
Meanwhile, foil transfers are like stickers that come on a backing.
Both types of foil are fragile, unlike aluminum foil, for example. Therefore, they require delicate handling.
How to Use Nail Foils?
Most of the time, nail foil is applied as an accent or highlight to a design. Sometimes, it’s placed across the entire nail, but this is difficult because of the nails’ curvature and the fragility of the foil.
When you want to apply nail foil, you might use foil adhesive. On the other hand, you could also take advantage of when the polish is tacky. Nail lacquer is a little sticky before it dries. Also, gel polish with an inhibition layer (that you must wipe off with alcohol) will allow the foil to stick.
Don’t worry; we’ll cover how to apply foil to nails later in the article. For now, please enjoy the beautiful foil nail designs below.
Foil Nail Designs
Black Matte Nails with Gold Highlights
This stunning success uses an intensely black polish, gold leaf foil, and a matte top coat. It's a straightforward design but artfully done.
However, you need to understand something about using a matte top coat with foil. You need the top coat to protect the foil, but the matte finish may alter the outcome. Try it out before you do all your nails.
LDS Gel Nail Polish Duo - 074 Black Colors - Black List
Purple Marvels
These gorgeous purple marbled nails enchant the eye with an illusion of depth. The gold flakes only make them more elegant.
If you’ve never tried marbling nails, we have a brief tutorial. It makes use of blossom gel to blend the colors without mixing them. You can also read about how to water marble nails with lacquer.
Lavis Gel Polish 055 - Purple Colors - Mystical Purple
Red Hot and Cool Silver
We can almost hear the polish sizzling here. This is a straightforward design to do at home. It helps if you have a silicone nail stamp to press down the foil without smudging the polish.
LAVIS C02 - 07 - Scarlet Bloom Collection
Delicate Pink and Gold
Isn’t it stunning to see what nude nail polish, gold foil, and a glossy top coat can do? These nails would look gorgeous at a wedding.
LAVIS C03 - 24 - Sundaze Gloss Collection
Pink and White Almond Nails with Silver Foil Accents
The nice thing about foil nails is that they can bring out the beauty of the jewelry on your fingers. We can’t help but wonder if this was an engagement photo.
Tortoiseshell Nails with Gold Foil
Bring tortoiseshell nails to life with metallic accents. The gold seems to float just above the brown polish. But you can see that it’s carefully encapsulated in a thick, glossy finish.
Translucent Foil Nails
These stilettos are acrylics with colored foil and rhinestones. The effect is hypnotic!
How to Do Foil Nails
When you want to do foil nail designs, the first step is to check for instructions for the type of foil you plan to use. If there is no information, use this guide to fill in the gap.
To Glue or Not to Glue?
Depending on the type of foil and the nail art style, you may not need glue at all. For example, if you want a few flakes here and there, you probably don't need an adhesive. But if you plan to completely cover the nail, you will need glue.
But not just any glue will do. There is a specific type of nail foil adhesive that dries quickly. Here’s how to use it.
With Foil Adhesive on Gels or Nail Lacquer
Prep your nails as usual and apply the base coat and colored polish. Once it’s dry or cured, brush on a thin layer of foil adhesive. It will look white, but it will turn clear as it dries. Let it turn transparent, then place the foil onto the nails.
If you're using leaf or flakes, use tweezers to place the foil and a silicone stamp to press it down. (If you use your finger, it will stick to your skin, and the oil on your skin may mess with the polish).
If you use transfer foil from a sheet, push the not-shiny (matte) side against the nail.
Once you're pleased with how it looks, apply two thin layers of top coat, letting each dry before the next.
Transfer Foil Without Adhesive on Nail Lacquer
After prepping the nails and applying a base coat, add one to two layers of colored nail lacquer. The polish will still feel a little bit tacky unless you've used quick-drying drops, but make sure it's not soft, or it will smudge when you press on the foil.
Press the transfer sheet with the matte side down toward the nail. Less foil will stick than if you used adhesive, so you may need to go over certain areas again.
Finish with a top coat.
All Types of Foil on Gel Polish Without Adhesive
For this method to work without adhesive, you need gel polish with an inhibition layer. For instance, gel polish described as "no wipe" won't work. The inhibition layer is the tacky finish you must wipe off with alcohol.
Prepare the nails, apply the base coat, and the colored polish. Cure everything as usual. It should still feel a little sticky. That will hold the foil in place until you apply the top coat. You won't be able to move the foil around, but you won't need glue.
If transfer foil doesn't stick to the nail, try wiping the matte surface with rubbing alcohol. There's a chance that it's oily.
Once you’re pleased with the results, finish with your favorite top coat and cure.
Conclusion
We’re glad you stopped by to see foil nail designs. This nail art style is versatile, luxurious, and easy to do at home.
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