Key Difference:  Nail art refers to the art of drawing or painting different patterns on the nails. There are various techniques to decorate the nails with nail art. Nail art can be classified on the basis of these techniques. These techniques include sponging, taping, painting or drawing with brushes, digital nail art, etc.

Nail Art is the technique of decorating or drawing designs on nails. It has gain a lot of popularity as it has become a part of fashion. Many of the beauty salons provide this facility but at the same time, may people like to do it themselves to exhibit their creative style. Credit for nail art goes to the Chinese who around 3000 BC started this phenomenon by using enamel on their fingers, which resulted in a pinkish finish on their nails. Indians also used Henna which is a dye derived from a plant, for decorating fingers. Usually .a base coat of neutral varnish is applied for making a background for the nail art.

There are various nail art techniques like –

Painting with Brushes – This technique is similar to body painting technique where a variety of brushes, suitably ones with the synthetic bristles are used. One can draw any pattern of choice with the help of these brushes. However, it requires a lot of practice and skill for achieving the perfection. There are numerous types of brushes like angled, flat, line, detail, dotting, etc. which are used for creating different types of patterns on nails.

Sponging – This technique is used for getting gradient or faded type designs on nails. The splattered type of finish is obtained by using sponges. Any kind of sponge like art, paint or makeup, can be used depending upon the effect and design required. Generally, the base coat is applied, and when it dries than sponge with nail polish is used and applied on the nails. Sponge can be gently or firmly placed on the nails depending upon the design. Acetone is used for taking out the nail polish which has spread in areas apart the nails.

Stamping – In this technique, first the image to be printed on the nail is covered by the thick layer of special nail paints in the image plate. Later scraper is used firmly across so that only polish is left in the pattern. Then a stamper is used in rolling motion to pick the image and then this image is laid upon the nails.

Taping – A base color is applied on the nails, and then tape is cut into small pieces and applied on to the nails. These small pieces of tapes are applied to those areas of nails which are to be left in the base color only. Then, the next coat of desired color is applied on the entire nail. Lastly, the tape is removed.

Digital Nail Art machines – These machines are usually used with the therapists or beauty salons. The procedure is automated, and therefore it takes only some time to get the desired nail art look. One can also get the scanned photographs, or pictures from digital cameras for printing on the nails. These machines nearly cost 2000 to 5000 pounds.

Stencil Method – It makes use of stencils which are placed on the dry coat of nail polish serving as the background for the image of the stencil. Then the stencil is placed firmly against the nails. Like in taping, the entire nail is pained with other colored nail polish. Then, after a few minutes the stencil is removed creating the pattern similar to the stencil.

Airbrush nail Art: Airbrush machines are used for spraying paint on nails. These are usually used with stencils or stickers to get the desired look. After a base coat, the stencil is placed on the nail and the airbrush machine is used for painting the design. Later the stencil is gently removed, and acetone is used for taking out the split paint.

Nail Art stickers/Decals – Art stickers and decals are just applied to the nails. There is not much to do in this case. However, with a great variety of these stickers and decals in the market, one has numerous options to choose from. However, one should be aware of placing the stickers and decals properly on the nails.

One can also go for any combination of the above mentioned techniques. This is a creative field, and therefore all depends upon the imagination and creativeness of the artist to draw some amazing patterns on the nails. Many types of accessories like tattoos, jewels and glitters are also used for adding more style to the nail art. The most important thing still is to take care of the nails so that they give a healthy look, and appear more beautiful with the nail art.

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