Manicure with mica

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 her nails are enough. Such a manicure looks very stylish and expensive, but in reality it is nothing complicated: the main material is mica, and it is very easy to work with it.

First of all, mica is a mineral. It is often found in nature and has a nice iridescent pearly appearance, luster and a very pleasant texture. She found application 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.

Most often, artificial mica is available in liquid or dry form - the first option is more popular, the liquid texture is easier to use, spreads well and is the most common. Liquid mica is an almost non-embossed fine sparkling powder in lacquer 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 is 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 a holographic rub. There is a plain 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».

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 look very interesting under a transparent top, especially in combination with rhinestones, beads and patterns. In general, manicure options 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.

With dry mica, you can create a real holography on the nails - particles of different sizes refract differently in the light and sparkle differently. Liquid mica from a distance is more like a familiar glitter. And you can also grind dry mica if necessary 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 a regular one, you can also save on materials.

The work of dry and liquid mica, of course, is quite different from each other. However, there is one constant - in any case, you need to prepare your nails step by step. File them, remove or tidy up the cuticle, use peeling or a salt bath, and in the end, moisturize them well, then degrease them. Next, apply one layer 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. With an orange stick or a toothpick, start transferring the mica plates to the nail. Act carefully, quickly, but not hastily - the particles should not touch the side rollers and cuticles.

Now it's the turn of the cling film. Gently pack your finger into it, in parallel, gently pressing the mica to the nail with patting movements of the fingertips. Put 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 lies tightly 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 friable mica that is used when building.

Getting started is no different from regular extensions - 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 toothpick, you can spread the pieces of mica on the still not completely dry coating with a dots. Next, dry your nails in a lamp and cover with 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 must also dry the first layer of varnish in the same way, without removing the sticky layer, carefully spread the powder over it - it lays down easily - and dry it in the lamp for about twenty seconds. In the case of liquid mica, applying a second layer of top is not necessary - the nail plate is aligned and so on.

A special mention is the design called "Aquarium”, because mica became popular precisely because of him. This technique allows you to apply three-dimensional patterns or compositions of various materials (mica, glitter, sequins, powder, dry flowers) on the nails and hide them behind a “glass” top - a tool that creates a three-dimensional effect. When viewed, 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 securely seals the pattern, which allows you to safely engage in any active business. It is suitable for any length and shape of the nail, you can also make extensions with it - it is easier and more pleasant to draw on long nails.

Mica is ideal for this technique, because it is iridescent plates or sand, the brilliance of which only intensifies under the glass coating. It also completely smooths out all the bumps that may appear in the case of a dry type of 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 complicated - it seems as if the drawing was made with special paints or in several layers - but it's all about the glass top.

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

French manicure is an unshakable classic. This is the 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 an already familiar set - gel polish, gel lamp, stencils for French manicure and directly mica - it can be either liquid or dry. In the case of nail extensions, also shapes and material. The principle of operation is not much 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.

Apply a layer of gel polish on the entire base of the nail - the varnish does not have to be strictly white or transparent, as in the classic version, experiment with contrasting colors. Let it dry, do not remove the sticky layer.Now use a stencil - for a jacket, it is a rounded strip that needs to be attached to the nail, forming the tip. And it is on the tip that you now need to apply mica - use a brush in the case of liquid and an orange stick or dots for dry. Do not be afraid to go to the stencil - it is removed anyway, but you should not touch the plate below it. Carefully separate the stencil, pack the nail in cling film (with dry mica) and send it to dry under the lamp. Do this manipulation with each nail, and voila - an exquisite sparkling jacket is ready!

In the next video - a master class on performing a manicure with mica.