Noah Sinclair
Aura nails, also known as airbrush or blush nails, are inspired by the concept of an aura, a coloured energy field around a person. This nail art features an ethereal blend of colours radiating from the centre of the nail outwards, creating a dreamy, hazy, blurry, gradient effect. There are several ways to achieve this look, including using an airbrush, a small sponge, eyeshadow, or a product called blooming gel.
How to do Aura Nails with Gel Polish
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Technique | Airbrushing, sponging, or carefully blending polishes |
| Nail shape | Rounded edge or square tip |
| Base coat | Pinky nude shade |
| Tools | Small sponge, fluffy eyeshadow brush |
| Colors | White aura on black nails, pinky-red |
| Pigments | Eyeshadow, pigment powder |
| Gel | Blooming gel |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping and filing your nails
To begin your aura manicure, you'll need to prep and file your nails. Start by using a nail file to shape your nails. You can opt for a rounded edge or square tip, depending on your preference. Filing your nails not only helps you achieve your desired shape but also smooths out any ridges or uneven surfaces, creating a uniform canvas for your nail art. After filing, gently push back your cuticles with a cuticle pusher. This step ensures that your nail bed is ready for polish and prevents any unsightly polish buildup around the cuticles.
Once your nails are shaped and your cuticles are pushed back, it's time to apply a base coat. This step is crucial, especially when using gel polish, as it creates a protective layer between your natural nail and the coloured polish. It also helps the coloured polish adhere better and prevents staining. Remember to apply thin coats and allow adequate drying time between each layer.
If you're using a nude base, as recommended by some nail artists, apply it at this stage. A nude base can enhance the overall look of your aura nails by creating a subtle transition between your natural nail bed and the colourful aura effect. Again, remember to use thin coats and let each layer dry before moving on.
Now that your nails are prepped and filed, it's time to move on to the next step—choosing your colours and creating the aura effect. Remember, the key to achieving the perfect aura nails is blending, so take your time and slowly build up the colour to create a seamless gradient. Whether you use eyeshadow, pigment powder, or nail polish, the right tools and techniques will help you achieve that ethereal, glowing look.
Some people prefer to use a gel nail kit and lamp for their aura manicure, as it can provide a longer-lasting finish. If you don't have one, it might be worth investing in a kit to take your manicure to the next level.
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Applying a base coat
To apply a base coat for gel aura nails, start by prepping and filing your nails into your desired shape using a nail file and cuticle pusher. You can opt for a rounded edge or a square tip. After shaping your nails, apply a thin base coat and let it dry. Then, apply a pinky nude base coat and let it dry as well. Remember to use thin coats and allow them to dry in between applications.
If you're using a gel nail kit, make sure you have a lamp to cure the gel polish. Once your base coats are dry, you can move on to creating the aura effect. There are several methods you can use to achieve the aura look, such as airbrushing, sponging, or blending polishes.
One popular method is to use a small sponge to stipple on your chosen colour in the centre of the nail. Start with a light hand and slowly build up the colour intensity. You can use a pinky-red shade or any other colour of your choice. Repeat the process until the colour is opaque in the centre, creating a gradient effect towards the edges.
Another technique is to use eyeshadow or pigment powder with a fluffy blending brush. Start at the darkest part of the aura and work your way outwards, circling the remaining pigment for blended edges. You can also use a small, densely packed eyeshadow brush to create a more precise gradient. For a white aura on black nails, for example, you may need to use nail pigments, which are more pigmented than eyeshadows.
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Using a sponge to apply colour
To achieve the aura nail look using a sponge, start by prepping and filing your nails into your desired shape, using a nail file and cuticle pusher. Next, apply a base coat and a nude shade as your base colour (remember to use thin coats and let them dry in between).
Then, take a small makeup sponge and slowly start stippling your colour of choice onto the centre of your nail. A small, round eyeshadow brush with dense bristles can also be used to apply colour. You can use eyeshadow, pigment powder, or nail polish for this technique. If you are using a classic nail polish, keep in mind that you won't be able to wipe off and start again without taking off the base coat as well. Repeat the stippling process until the colour is opaque in the centre but blended towards the edges, creating a blurry, gradient effect.
For colour combinations such as a white aura on black nails, you may need to purchase nail pigments that are more pigmented than eyeshadows. You can also use a product called blooming gel, which, when applied over the base shade, will cause the polish applied on top to spread and bleed, creating the aura effect.
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Using eyeshadow and a fluffy brush
To achieve the viral eyeshadow method for creating aura nails, you'll need a gel nail kit and lamp, as well as a short and densely packed fluffy eyeshadow brush. Start by prepping and filing your nails into your desired shape, using a nail file and cuticle pusher. You can go for a rounded edge or a square tip. Then, apply a base coat and a pinky nude base, remembering to use thin coats and let them dry in between.
Now it's time to grab your eyeshadow and brush. Choose an eyeshadow colour that is nicely pigmented and easy to blend. Using a small, fluffy brush, start by applying the eyeshadow where you want the darkest part of the aura to be. Then, use the remaining pigment on your brush to create a gradient effect by circling the area with lighter, blended edges. Take your time with this step to slowly build the desired colour gradient.
If you're looking for a colour combination idea, try a white aura on black nails for a striking look. For this, you may want to use nail pigments, which tend to be more pigmented than eyeshadows. You can also experiment with different colours of eyeshadow to create the perfect aura effect. Remember to keep your brush strokes light and fluffy to achieve that dreamy, hazy aura nail look.
The eyeshadow method is a great way to create aura nails without the need for specialised airbrushing equipment. It gives you more control over the blending process, allowing you to perfect that ethereal blend of colours radiating from the centre of your nails. With a bit of practice, you'll be able to create Instagram-worthy aura nails that you'll never want to take off!
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Airbrushing
Aura nails are inspired by the concept of an aura, a colourful energy surrounding a person or object. The trend first appeared in the '90s when airbrushing was a popular method for creating nail art. Today, airbrushing is still used by nail technicians to create the aura effect, as it ensures perfectly even density and control.
However, it is not necessary to use an airbrush device to achieve the aura nail look. There are several other methods that can be used to create the effect at home, including sponging, carefully blending polishes, or using a product called 'blooming gel'.
When creating aura nails with gel polish, it is important to remember that gel polish has a thicker consistency than regular nail polish. Temperature affects the ease of use of gel products, with colder temperatures resulting in temporarily higher viscosity and warmer temperatures making the gel more water-like. Additionally, it is important to store and use gel polish away from sunlight or natural light, as exposure to sunlight can result in a clumpy texture.
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Frequently asked questions
Aura nails are inspired by the concept of an aura, a colourful energy surrounding a person or thing. They are also known as airbrush or blush nails, and feature an ethereal blend of colours radiating from the centre of the nail outwards, creating a blurry, gradient effect.
There are several ways to achieve aura nails. One method is to use an airbrush, but this requires good ventilation and a respirator to protect yourself from inhaling the paint. You can also use a gel nail kit and lamp, or a product called 'blooming gel', which when applied over a base shade, transforms any polish that is then applied on top, causing it to spread and bleed. Another method is to use eyeshadow or pigment powder with a fluffy blending brush, starting with the darkest part of the aura and circling outwards with the remaining pigment for blended edges.
To do aura nails with gel polish, you will need a gel nail kit and lamp, as well as a short and densely packed fluffy eyeshadow brush. You can use either specially formulated pigment powders for nails or eyeshadow, depending on the consistency of the shadow.
First, prep and file your nails into your desired shape and push back your cuticles. Apply a base coat and a nude base colour, letting them dry in between. Using a small sponge, start stippling on your chosen colour in the centre of the nail, slowly building up the colour until it is opaque in the centre but keeping the edges blurred.
Yes, it is important to note that if you are using an airbrush method, you should use proper ventilation and a respirator to protect yourself from inhaling the paint. Additionally, if you are using a classic polish with the sponge method, you won't be able to wipe off and start again without taking off the base coat as well.
