Introduction
Welcome to a vibrant world where the rich colors and intricate designs of India’s spice markets inspire stunning nail art creations. The beauty of Indian culture, highlighted by its colorful bazaars and aromatic spices, has found a way to manifest on our fingertips. This article will guide you through a series of nail art inspirations that reflect the essence of India’s diverse markets. Get ready to explore fabulous nail designs that will not only make your nails stand out but also allow you to express your artistic flair!
1. Nailspiration NP718 – Vibrant Spice Bazaar Nails
The first design features an explosion of colors reminiscent of the spices you’ll find in the bustling markets of India. Follow these steps to recreate this bright and bold look:
Step 1: Base Coat
Start by applying two coats of bright orange gel polish to create a vibrant canvas.
Step 2: Creating the Hourglass Shape
Using a detail brush, paint an hourglass shape at the base of your nail with black gel paint. This design emulates the traditional decorative shapes often seen in fabric patterns.
Step 3: Adding Details
Next, paint a crown at the bottom of the hourglass using teal gel paint. From the center of the crown, extend a black leaf to give an organic feel.
Step 4: Outlining and Finishing Touches
Use a liner brush to add pink lines on the hourglass shape, then outline the leaf with white gel paint, adding veins for detail. Dot yellow gel paint at the top and bottom of the hourglass and outline the top with white paint to finish the design. Seal it all with a top coat for a polished look!
2. Nailspiration NP718 – Floral Festival Nails
The second design draws inspiration from the colorful offerings found during Hindu festivals in Varanasi, known for their vibrant decorations and floral arrangements.
Step 1: Black Base Coat
Begin with two thin coats of black gel polish for a striking background.
Step 2: Green Stem
Using a detail brush, paint a thin, curved line up the nail with green gel paint, representing the stem of a flower.
Step 3: Creating Colorful Petals
At the tip of the green stem, use pink, orange, and yellow gel paints to create an imperfect circle, symbolizing the flower’s bloom.
Step 4: Detailing the Flower
To bring your flower to life, paint yellow hearts that blend together to form petals. Use a dotting tool for tiny dots to the right of the flower and outline the petals with pink gel paint.
Step 5: Flourishing Patterns
On the left side of your flower, create a floral pattern. Use a detail brush for black teardrop shapes inside the petals and accentuate with green gel paint. Finish with small pink lines over the teal at the free edge for a delightful touch. Seal this beautiful design with a top coat!
3. Nailspiration NP718 – Coastal Market Vibes
Our third nail art inspiration is influenced by the colorful Anjuna Flea Market in Goa, where vibrant colors and artistic expressions are abundant. Here’s how you can recreate this look:
Step 1: Teal Base
Apply one coat of teal gel polish for a fresh base that evokes the coastal vibe.
Step 2: Ombré Effect
Create an ombré effect at the free edge by applying a thin layer of mint green gel paint, blending it upwards. For added saturation, repeat with green gel paint.
Step 3: Scale Design
With a detail brush, draw scale shapes using black gel paint from the base to the middle of the nail, adding an artistic flair.
Step 4: Leaf Shapes
Create leaves inside your black scales with green gel paint. Add small black teardrop shapes at the free edge, filling them in with orange gel paint for a pop of color.
Step 5: Dotting the Design
Mix white and pink gel paint on a palette and apply it inside the scales using a dotting tool. Finish with a gel top coat to seal the design.
Guest Artist Spotlight: Sabella Snyder
Nail artist Sabella Snyder (@sweetbcreations) from Los Angeles shares her inspiration for these designs:
“I was inspired by the intricate, bright designs of the tapestries and fabrics.”
Conclusion
India’s spice markets provide endless inspiration for nail art designs that are as vibrant and rich as the culture itself. Whether you choose the bold colors of the bazaars, floral patterns from festivals, or coastal vibes from flea markets, let your creativity shine. What do you think of these spice-inspired nail art ideas? Let us know in the comments below!
All images are courtesy of Getty Images.
This article was first published in the July 2018 issue of NAILPRO.
