Nail art techniques and visual effects
Explore the principles behind gradients, stamping, chrome, shimmer and other nail art effects. The articles explain what creates the appearance and where methods differ. Product instructions determine preparation, layering and curing for the system you use.
Latest Articles · 10
A Beginner’s Guide · Techniques
Drying and curing: why nail coatings harden differently
AI-assisted preparation · NailWiki editorial team · Photo · Pexels
Techniques
Molokom · NaNailsOmbré and gradient nails: how to describe the transition
Techniques
Photo · PexelsFrench and reverse French: describe the accent’s position
Techniques
AI illustrationNegative space in nail art: a gap can be part of the design
Techniques
Molokom · NaNailsStamping and hand-painted nail art: what the names establish
Key Terms
Cat-eye effect
The cat-eye effect is a concentrated reflective band or luminous zone formed by magnetic particles in a nail coating. A magnetic field changes their arrangement while the coating is mobile, shaping where the bright reflection appears.
Read moreExplore Techniques
Techniques
Photo · PexelsSheer and opaque: coverage is different from colour
Techniques
Molokom · NaNailsChrome, glitter and shimmer: three ways to describe reflection
Techniques
AI illustrationCat-eye nails: how magnets shape the reflective highlight
Techniques
Photo · PexelsComparing swatch photos: colour depends on the image setup
Techniques
Photo · Pexels