Nail Art made the big time this year with the launch of WAH Nails into Topshop's flagship London store aiding its popularity (wah-nails.com) on the high street. Of course it has always been a hit with certain fashion followers and catwalk shows but it's never quite made the mainstream...until now. Today brands such as Nails Inc (from £7 nailsinc.com) have taken the craze nationwide and celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan use nail art as a form of self expression, even in court! Still, not everyone can afford over £20 a go for nail art hence why brands are bring out their own nail art pens so us creative wannabes - ahem - can have a go at decorating our talons ourselves.
Nail pens tend to be in a duo which come with a thin long brush (best for strokes and lines) as well as a thin nib for applying more intricate art work. The beauty of nail art is that you can spruce up a boring paint with anything from dots and stripes to flowers and leopard print designs. Whatever you want...it goes!
Our favourites so far are the Nubar (£5.95 beautyshed.co.uk) and Stargazer (£2,50 stargazer-products.com) nail art pens. While we are still practicing we have simply been adding dots to painted nails in a clashing colour for a funky finish. Nubar's nail expert Kathryn Reeve told us, "Keep an orange stick wrapped in cotton wool and soaked in Non-acetone Laqcuer remover to hand to help remove any small imperfections, and squeeze, dab and wipe your nail art pen onto some tissue paper to remove any air bubbles or blockages before applying it to your beautifully polished nail."
David Barton nail guru at Fashion Week and Percy and Reed, told us that it's easy to add something different to nails even without nail pens. Why not try adding lace over your brightly coloured paint and sealing with a top coat for a retro finish? Or dipping painted nails into a glass of water with a few drops of nail polish in for a swirled marble effect? Cheap and oh-so cheerful.
Want your nail art to last? Then apply it over a Shellac manicure, which is a chip-free manicure that lasts for two weeks, for the ultimate way to keep nail art for a prolonged period of time.
Shellac manicure or pedicure costs from £30. Find you nearest salon by calling 0845 210 6060. Visit David for nail art or a Shellac manicure at the Percy & Reed salon, W1. Call 020 7637 4634 for appointments.
Get nail art design ideas here wah-nails.com
