Velvet sand on nails: features, application technology, design ideas • NAILS Magazine

One of the most interesting types of nail design is the application of so-called “velvet sand”. This type of manicure gained popularity back in 2013 and became one of the trends. The sand is grains of regular round shape and very small in size, similar to river sand. Depending on the manufacturer and quality, they may be larger or smaller in size, and also resemble dust.

Externally, the finished manicure looks like a matte surface of the nail plate, with an imitation of a soft coating like velvet. It can be either plain or with any pattern applied. In any case, it looks unusual and attractive.

Features of the material

Velvet sand gradient

Velvet sand is a medium to coarse powder.

Compared to acrylic powder, sand consists of larger fractions. It looks like dense powder, semolina or very fine sugar.

Where can a novice craftsman get sand powder? The technology is very popular, and the material can be purchased at any professional store online and offline. If the material is not at hand, it can be replaced with acrylic powder or scrapbooking powder.

Which velvet sand is better? Experienced craftsmen recommend using medium-grain material and light shades for decoration. Transparent white is best. This is a universal solution, since velvet sand, when covered, takes on the shade of the colored base on which it is poured.

There are several varieties of velvet sand:

White translucent . Takes on the shade of the coating it is applied to.
Colored . Can replace gel polish and is applied immediately to the base.
With sparkles . Used for both fine decoration and full nail coverage.

The velvety texture does not need to be covered with a top or finishing layer. Sand dusting can be used to strengthen nail plates, just like acrylic powder. It reinforces and creates a durable layer.

The coating lasts 10-21 days, just like gel polish. The texture does not crumble and does not form bald spots during wear.

Hands with this design can be actively washed with soap and do any housework as usual. The coating does not react to alcohol solvents.

To remove a design with a velor texture, you will need 15 minutes, foil and a gel polish remover on which the material is attached.

Performing a manicure at home

There are several techniques for performing such a manicure; it is worth familiarizing yourself with them all first, so that you can then choose the one that suits you best. The first method consists of the following algorithm of actions.

Having done the simplest trimmed manicure, you should steam your hands in a herbal bath, push back and trim the cuticle, give your nails the desired shape and thoroughly dry each nail with a towel.
Time for a protective base. When the base has completely dried, a little varnish is applied to the nail (or UV gel if the manicure is performed using a lamp). Preference is given to soft shades: cream, pink, sand, but sometimes they choose something completely opposite.
Before the varnish dries, you need to carefully cover it with a thin layer of granulated sugar, waiting until it sets on the surface.
Using a special brush, brush off excess particles; if necessary, you can also use this brush to form a pattern.

The second method is suitable when using gel polish and a special ultraviolet lamp.

Paint your nails with the desired color and draw the chosen pattern. In the future it will be made sand.
Carefully, sprinkle sand on the ornament in a thin stream using a bamboo stick, and correct any grains that do not fall on the intended parts.
Then the nails are dried in a lamp, paying special attention to the thumbs, where the gel usually takes the longest to dry.
Complete the manicure with a few touches of a professional topcoat to seal in any small particles.

If the classic version of sugar manicure already seems boring, manicurists suggest trying the following several options.

It is proposed to fix the grains of sand not over the entire surface of the nail, but to highlight only the hole or apply it to the tip. There is no need to be afraid of additional decorations when choosing a manicure design.
There is no need to save material, as the result will clearly not please you. When choosing a velvet manicure, it is worth remembering that it is better not to skimp on grains of sand in order to get a coating that will be as close as possible to the desired one. There is no need to be afraid that your fingers will get dirty - they instantly fall off from the skin of your hands.
You can also experiment with “sugar” patterns and monograms made in several color options.

Ardent opponents of nail gels, who believe that they spoil the nail structure, will be pleased with a nail polish called “sand”. It is ideal for creating a “sugar manicure”, as it contains small silicone particles of various sizes. Due to them, a “sand effect” is created on the surface of the nail. Often the composition contains sparkles, making the manicure festive and shining.

Before using this varnish, you need to shake the bottle well so that the particles then lie evenly on the nail. For a more textured and rich manicure, apply the polish in two layers. And in order to smooth the surface, if it seems excessively rough, the nails can be coated with a finishing fixer, thereby also strengthening all the necessary shiny elements in their places.

How to apply sand varnish?

Sugar manicure is no different from the simplest glossy manicure. To create it you will need a base varnish and sand or sugar varnish itself.

1. Apply base coat to your nails.

2. Paint your nails with sugar polish, after shaking the bottle. The grains of sand should be distributed throughout the varnish. Sometimes even one layer is enough for a uniform and rich shade. Two coats will give your sandy nail polish even more richness and texture. It is not necessary to use a fixative varnish, but it will help to slightly smooth out the bumpiness of the manicure.

Sand varnish dries quickly and lasts quite a long time. As the layer dries, the grains of sand appear.

How to apply on gel polish

Sand can be poured onto regular varnish, gel paint, gel polish or topcoat as a base. Also, for the base under it, you can take the UV gel of the finishing layer from the three-component gel system for extensions.

Let's look at the procedure for applying velvet sand to gel polish. It consists of the following stages:

A manicure is performed using the desired technique, the nails are shaped, and the cuticles are processed.
Nails need to be buffed to remove their natural shine and improve adhesion to the decorative coating.
Degrease nails and remove dust.
Cover with gel polish base.
We paint our nails in two layers of gel polish or gel paint, dry each layer in a lamp for the recommended time.
Apply topcoat or topcoat to the nail.
We don’t dry it in a lamp, but immediately pour sand onto the sticky layer. It is necessary to pour from 5 to 10 layers so that it is well saturated.
You need to wait a minute for the material to “settle” on the nail in an even, dense layer.
Dry the layer in a lamp. It is recommended to double the drying time from the usual so that the material lasts well from 10 to 21 days.
Brush off any remaining sprinkles with a soft bristle brush or broom.

Some craftsmen apply sand powder immediately to the second layer of gel polish, without topcoat, and dry it in a lamp for double the time. This method also provides reliable coverage, but only if the nail plate is completely covered with sandy decor.

It is convenient to pour the sprinkles onto the nail over a jar with a wide edge or over a sheet of foil or paper. Scattered residues can be returned to the container with the material and used next time.

Sand can be applied with a fan brush, a pusher, or even an inverted training tip on a holder.

You can mix sand with glitter of different shades yourself, creating a new color of the desired intensity.

Rubbing: what it is, how to use it and all application methods with step-by-step instructions

Velvet sand - how to use the material

How to do a sugar manicure at home

To make sugar nails with gel, you need to purchase transparent acrylic powder, which fits perfectly on any colored varnish. In the future, it can be used with a gradient, when you want to make a colored stretch strewn with sand. But before we get into complex designs, let's try a simple coat of colored varnish.

Transparent acrylic powder must be mixed with any sand. When dry, it will help absorb excess moisture and create a very durable coating on your nails. Thus, the manicure will last longer without crumbling, abrasion or chipping.

Prepare the plate for painting with gel polish.
Apply primer, base and send to dry in the lamp.
Apply the selected color in two layers and dry.
We apply the top coat and begin to generously sprinkle sugar onto the wet, undried finish.
After drying, use a brush to remove excess acrylic powder and granulated sugar mixture.

You can perform a manicure in several ways - apply sugar material to colored varnish, base or top. In all three cases, the design is the same, but with different color saturation.

You can add different components to the loose composition: shimmer glitter, acrylic powder for strength, mix several sands to obtain the desired shade. Sand of very bright colors is diluted to obtain delicate pastel shades.

Sugar manicure

Velvet varnish application technology

Sand varnish

An alternative to velvet sand is a new product, velvet nail polish.

This is a type of regular varnish with the addition of tiny acrylic powder, creating the effect of suede or light grain.

With its help, even beginners can quickly create a uniform velor coating.

The varnish dries in air in 2-3 minutes. It must be applied in two layers and covered with the second only after the first has completely dried, so that there are no grooves or screeds. You can use a fixative, but then the suede texture will disappear, leaving only a matte effect. Velvet varnish can be found from the following manufacturers: Dance Legend, OPI, ZOYA, NUBAR. The coating lasts 2-4 days, and then chips and comes off like regular varnish.

Sand effect varnish

“Sugar manicure” polish has become a real find for lovers of home design. It contains small silicone particles of different sizes, which create the roughness effect. For a subtle shimmer, small sparkles are added to the varnish.

Using this varnish is as easy and simple as using a regular glossy finish. This varnish should not be applied without a base; it always protects the nail very well from chemical exposure. Before using sugar varnish, you should shake it very well so that all the grains of sand are mixed.

To make the design look very bright and rich, apply the varnish in two layers, and to smooth out the roughness of the surface, cover the manicure with a fixing varnish.

Powder top, cashmere-effect finish for gel polish

The effect of a velor, velvety surface can also be achieved using a matte top with the declared texture. It does not contain a sticky layer; it is applied, like a regular top coat, on top of two layers of gel polish, and dried in a lamp according to the recommended time.

The top with a cashmere effect has a dense texture and remains flexible after polymerization, making the nails even more durable and resistant to chipping and damage.

How to choose sand for nails

Decorative sand for nails comes in superfine, fine, medium and coarse grinding. The first two are convenient to use for drawings. The third type of product is universal; it is suitable for giving the coating any desired texture. And with it, even a novice master will not make mistakes. Coarse decor in the form of flakes is a little more difficult to work with, but the result is “fluffy” nails. This coating has the most unusual texture.

You can choose any color of granulated sugar on your nails:

transparent gives relief to the surface, but keeps the tone of the gel polish visible;
tints are of two types: consisting of pigmented particles of the same color or multi-colored (the jar contains pink, yellow, blue, green or orange, red, lilac particles);
silver and gold accurately imitate the appearance and shine of precious metals;
pigmented with shiny golden or silver inclusions, making nails look like marmalade.

The choice is determined by what texture and appearance you want to give to the coating.

Velvet Sand Nail Design Ideas

The most popular design directions with this texture are:

Full Coverage
Velvet sand painting
Small drawings
Ombre, gradient
Wedding manicure
Sweater design
French

When applying any designs under the topping, the nail is first sealed with topcoat and the dispersion layer is removed.

Features of manicure

Advantages of the granulated sugar effect design:

the ability to perform it at home;
resistance to aggressive household chemicals;
variety of ideas.

Interesting solutions for manicure:

velvet surface;
marmalade records;
subtle color transition - gradient;
combination with familiar types of design.

Full Coverage

Can be performed on one nail or on all fingers. Allows you to strengthen the nail plates, which is important for square shapes with increased load on the corners. Sand is poured onto regular varnish, gel polish or gel paint after coating with topcoat. The transparent material takes on the same shade as the colored background underneath. Please note that the bright colors of a manicure with a velvety surface do fade over time. By the end of the first week, the color may lose a little brightness, but the coating will remain durable.

How to choose the right varnish yourself

An unsuccessful varnish can highlight the poor condition of the skin on your hands, its dryness or a large number of wrinkles. The color of the skin may not match the shade of the nail covering and worsen the overall perception. In order for a manicure to look great, you need to adhere to certain rules when choosing it:

Consider your color type. Golden skin and olive-colored veins slightly visible through it are best combined with orange, pink-coral, fashionable shades of burgundy, marsala and sangria, dark green, and nude.
Light pink skin and bluish veins are complemented by cool-toned varnishes that will make your hands even whiter and softer. Gray, blue, metallic and berry colors are the best choice in this case.
For skin of a neutral shade, on which it is difficult to distinguish even small wreaths, you can use polishes of any color.

These principles are also true for lipsticks, because quite often women very scrupulously try to choose their shades so that they completely match the color of the manicure. Sugar gel polishes are produced by many brands. They vary in price and quality. In the Jerden Color Sugar series, the color palette consists of 15 colors, which are quite unusual. They dry quickly, and with proper hand care they can remain on the nails for a long time. Dans Legend offered its fans the Sahara Cristal series. The colors of the polishes are quite interesting, but in the bottles they are slightly different from the colors and shades that are obtained when applied to the nails. This group requires a quality base or a good clear coat. Holiday from Golden Rose is, first of all, an inexpensive, budget option that allows you to get a high-quality manicure with a granulated sugar effect for a low price. The result of its use will please even the most fastidious beauties, whose nails will not only be original, but will also cause sincere admiration from others.

Velvet sand painting

The technique allows you to combine several decoration options in one composition. Painting is done with gel paint, top coat or gel polish. The technology is as follows:

After applying the main color of the gel polish, seal it with a top coat.
Remove the dispersion layer.
Using gel paint, gel polish of the selected shade, or just a transparent top coat, we draw monograms using a thin brush.
Sprinkle the drawing with velvet sand.
Dry it in the lamp for double the time.
Brush off any remaining sprinkles with a brush.

The monograms of the painting must contain a sufficient amount of liquid and be “fat” in order to “take” the sprinkles. Otherwise, the drawing will have bald spots and will be uneven.

What is sand

Velvet sand is a special powder for nails, its structure reminiscent of glitter. This type of design appeared quite recently, but quickly reached the peak of popularity. The main feature of this manicure is its originality and beauty.

Its advantages

The velvet design combines a number of advantages, thanks to which many girls preferred it.

Versatility.

Sand looks great on natural and artificial nails, and regular or gel polishes are suitable for attaching it.

Accuracy.

When choosing a component, you should pay attention to the size of the grains of sand; the smaller they are, the neater your manicure will look.

Strength.

This design is quite stable and somewhat reminiscent of the effect of liquid stone. The decor is not afraid of contact with water or exposure to chemicals.

Originality.

Externally, velvet sand fully lives up to its name. The nail is like real velvet, just as soft and pleasant to the touch.

Availability.

The material can be easily found in any specialized store. A jar of sand is inexpensive, and its consumption is low.

Sweater design

The trendy design of the autumn-winter season would not be so impressive without its voluminous velor texture. It can also be done with acrylic powder or flock. The design is applied with paint or gel polish onto the top without a dispersion layer, sprinkled with powder material, and then dried in a lamp. With sprinkles, the design becomes durable and expressive. You can choose different braid patterns for sweater designs. Read more about knitted design technology.

Interesting design ideas

Any decorative element applied to the velvet surface of the nails adds elegance and solemnity. Various patterns, flowers, and symbols look amazing on a plush nail plate. This season it is fashionable to use floral and plant designs. Velvet roses and delicate flower buds look extraordinary.

The dew drops on the flowers, created with the help of rhinestones, add a special charm to the image. Plush floral arrangements can be seen. A white wedding sand manicure with images of flowers and gorgeous patterns looks very beautiful.

Oriental designs are trending. The print with the image of sakura branches and oriental ornament remains the most popular and fashionable design.

New this season is marmalade nail design. It is similar to a sugar manicure. The non-dried nail plate, covered with gel or varnish, is generously sprinkled with melange powder.

Sand manicure is perfect for creating a winter design. Frosty velvet patterns look amazing on nails. A knitted manicure imitates the weaving of a scarf or sweater. Looks great on almond-shaped and short nails. It is ideal for the winter season.

A black sand manicure is suitable for an evening celebration; inlay with white shiny stones will give the design a special shine. Velvet sand goes perfectly with any colored varnish. Red varnish against the background of sand looks bold and bright.

The use of golden sand is suitable for any clothing and is suitable for all events, including everyday life. Golden velvet always looks elegant and luxurious.

Ombre

An effective gradient with sand sprinkles is applied to a ready-made gradient with gel polish. The varnish transfers its color, and a smooth, beautiful transition is obtained. In detail about the technique of performing a gradient.

The second option is to use two or three shades of sprinkles in a horizontal or vertical transition. Due to the fine-grained texture of the material, the gradient is smooth and delicate.

What is the difference between acrylic powder and velvet sand?

Both of these materials are polymer powder. Only their composition is different. In addition to acrylic powder of a special coarser grind, the composition includes microparticles and fibers that add velvety to the material.

Although the products are identical, acrylic powder lasts longer than sand, but does not look as voluminous on the nails. But judging by the reviews of the girls, this manicure solution is very durable and convenient in everyday life.

To create a sand manicure, you can use acrylic powder. To get a sparkling design, you can add glitter of different sizes to it.

The velvet product itself is a patented material and its cost is significantly higher than that of acrylic powder. Each girl decides for herself which product to choose from these two.

Wedding manicure

Sand with mirror or rainbow sand sparkles is indispensable in a wedding manicure. It adds a subtle shine to the base design. The classic white color acquires volume and a fascinating texture. This manicure is worthy of being included in a wedding album photo.

Wedding manicure ideas - from classic to avant-garde

Professional set for velvet manicure

This kit contains the following materials:

Flock or velvet sand
is a material that is applied to the nail plate. It looks like a large number of fibers of different lengths (wool, silk, viscose, cotton, acrylic, polyamide, etc.). One set contains 7 different colors.
A brush that has voluminous and long bristles
, which makes working with flock much more convenient. This brush is also used to clean the hopper or stand, as they can become very dirty during operation.
Metal stand.
It is used for more convenient work when creating nail designs, making the manicure much neater.
Flockider
is the main tool for performing velvet manicure. Thanks to its use, a unique velvet coating of the nail plate will be created. This device produces an electric field that affects the lint particles, which acquire the desired polarity. Thanks to this, the pile fits more tightly to the nail. The flocider must be used according to the instructions supplied with it.

In beauty salons, experienced manicurists create such an unusual design using a flocider and the process goes as follows:

First, powder is poured into a special hopper of the device.
Varnish or gel is applied to the prepared nail plate (the cuticle is removed and the nails are given the desired shape). To make your manicure more vibrant, it is recommended to use colored varnishes.
A finger is placed under the metal stand and the device itself is turned on, placing it directly above the surface of the nail, and a key is constantly pressed. During this procedure, some particles of material will end up on the stand, but this is normal.
Now you need to dry the nail under a UV lamp or just wait a few minutes until the coating is completely dry.
In order for the velvet manicure to last as long as possible, it is not recommended to wet your hands for several hours after visiting the salon.
To prevent dust from getting into your eyes and causing irritation, you should wear a special mask. This rule applies to masters; the client can simply turn away.

You can easily create such an original and stylish manicure at home; you just need to purchase high-quality materials. The main thing is to strictly adhere to the following instructions:

First, a simple manicure is done - the cuticle is processed, the nails are trimmed and filed.
A clean swab is moistened in a small amount of acetone and each nail is treated - degreasing is carried out.
The flock is laid out on a sheet of paper and lightly thinned out using an orange stick. During this procedure, you need to remove all the lumps, otherwise the design will be ugly.
Varnish of any shade is applied to the nail plate in one layer.
You need to wait a couple of minutes until the varnish layer is completely dry.
Then the varnish is applied again and, before it has time to dry, a layer of flock is applied. To do this, you need to dip your finger in the material and with patting, light movements, the flock is evenly distributed over the entire nail plate.
The designs on the nails look very interesting and unusual - they are applied with varnish or acrylic paint, after which only the design is covered with flock on top.
Using a brush, remove all excess fibers.

It must be remembered that velvet manicure does not require additional sealing with transparent varnish.

Benefits of velvet manicure

This is an ideal choice for girls who want to attract everyone's attention.
Focal particles can be used both to completely cover the nail plate and to create various patterns.
This coating is completely unique and has no analogues today.
A salon velvet manicure maintains its ideal appearance for 20 days, and sometimes more, depending on what the girl is doing.
Creating such an original design will not take more than half an hour and does not require the acquisition of any special skills, so you can do it at home yourself.

Disadvantages of velvet manicure

Today, this nail design is a novelty, so in salons it will have a fairly high cost (approximately 800-1000 rubles and more).
A velvet manicure done yourself can last only a couple of days.

If it is not possible to visit beauty salons or use flock, then you can take a special varnish, after applying which the nail plate becomes like a soft velvet fabric.
This type of polish has an interesting texture and does not make the nail color too bright. By choosing even a blue shade, the manicure will not look vulgar or tasteless. It is very easy to use this varnish, since it is practically no different from a simple one. On the prepared nail plate you need to apply 2 layers of velvet varnish and a fixer. To make a brighter manicure, you can experiment a little - apply a design with velvet varnish of a different shade or with sparkles.

When it’s winter outside, and the Christmas holidays are visible ahead, thoughts increasingly arise in our heads about how we will decorate our home. And girls, among other things, are looking for ways to transfer elements of the holidays to themselves. And those who want to have a manicure for all seasons will like our article even more!

More than once we have heard fashionistas say that they don’t want glitter, colors, yes, but not glitter. Varnishes are steamed to give them a matte finish, or even become matte. The use of manicure sand has become a new breath in nail art.

Manicure sand

– special powder of various colors. Sand varnish is distinguished by the size of the grains. For example, a very fine grind can give your nails the appearance of velor, while a coarse grind can give your fingers a shade of granulated sugar.

Varnish with additives is a little thicker than usual, but differs only in the structure of the coating. It is convenient to apply, it does not tend to creep onto the cuticle during coating, and besides, one layer of varnish is almost always enough, in rare cases - two if you want to give your nails a more voluminous look.

French

The powder texture is applied only to the tips of the nails, painted with a French line. This allows you to further strengthen the nails in this area. When using colored or shiny sand, the design becomes even more original.

Design options for a French jacket - a selection of ideas

Velvet sand for nails does not require special skills in mastering the technology and provides a wide field for experimentation both for masters and when performed at home. At the start, purchase a translucent material to strengthen your skills in working with texture.

Secrets of creation

In order for a manicure to please its owner, it is important to adhere to some recommendations.

There is no need to ignore the base coat, as well as pre-treatment of the nails before application: the nails need to be treated and properly degreased.
Using only quality products. It is important to pay attention to the composition, expiration dates, texture, whether the product is manufactured by a trusted company, or whether it is a dubious bottle with Chinese characters.
When using sand, there is no need to skimp; the product is applied to the surface of the nail in a thick layer. For the best fixation, the powder is pressed with a barely noticeable touch.

There are several brands that have introduced “sugar varnishes” in their lines. Of course, it's worth starting with Color Sugar - this is a series with a very wide color palette. Jerden presented 15 magnificent saturated shades that look unusual and quite interesting. The brand did not limit itself to the advantage of color; Color Sugar dries quite quickly, and the manicure lasts an order of magnitude longer than any other polish in approximately the same price category.

Next up for consideration is Sahara Crystal from Dance Legend. Unlike the previous brand, Dance Legend occupies a niche of professional products specifically for creating manicures with a “sugar” effect. The color palette is also pleasing to the eye, but it is important to note one feature here: the nail polish looks different on the nails than in the bottle. And, of course, when using this product you cannot do without using a high-quality base before applying color.