Quick Summary
Like the title suggests, this article will serve as a guide to nail art designs for manicures and pedicures. It will explain why nail art designs are so popular and why they make the experience of getting manicures and pedicures at a spa or a salon even more fun.
It will also explain the styles, techniques, and tools used for nail art design, as well as identifies a variety of popular, classic, and even themed nail art designs. This article will also serve as a guide to day spa and salon insurance for manicurists.
Nail Art Design: Styles and Techniques
What is Day Spa & Salon Insurance?
Introduction: Manicures, Pedicures, and Nail Art Designs
It’s no question that everyone loves a good trip to a day spa or salon. It’s a place where a person can unwind and treat themselves to a nice, long, relaxing beauty or cosmetic treatment after a long or stressful period of work or other tiresome chores and duties. Two of the most popular and common treatment services that day spas and salons offer and which people choose to indulge in are manicures and pedicures.
Manicures and pedicures are cosmetic beauty treatments, with manicures being for the fingernails and hands and pedicures being for the toenails and feet. When performed at day spas and salons, manicures and pedicures consist of filing, shaping, and clipping the nails while also pushing the cuticles, massaging the hand or feet with special skin-soothing creams, lotions, or oils, and applying nail polish. The hands and feet are also placed in basins of clean warm water that help the skin or, once the nail polish is applied, placed under harmless heating devices to dry the polish.
Most day spas and salons offer to paint special designs on fingernails or toenails when people opt for manicures or pedicures. These nail art designs can range from painting pictures or designs on the nails, or applying small decals such as imitation jewels, artificial nail gels, tips, or acrylics. These are oftentimes referred to as “French manicures”.
Most people choose to get special nail art designs when they go to the day spa or salon for a manicure or pedicure. While nail art designs have existed as long as there have been day spas and salons offering manicures, pedicures, and a wide variety of nail polishes, nail art has become increasingly popular over the last couple of years. With the rise of social media, there has been a boom of online beauty tips and trends that have taken the form of countless websites, blogs, YouTube tutorials, and Instagram accounts.
While these social media channels to deal with a variety of beauty topics, such as hair or makeup, they also talk about, with some even being exclusively dedicated to, nail art. Many people love to show off their newly-done nails after a manicure or a pedicure in pictures posted on their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or post video tutorials on their blogs or Youtube channels about how to do specific nail art designs at home. The more artistic, or creative and unique, their nails look, the more likely they will get “likes”, “hearts”, clicks or views on whatever social media platform they post pictures of their nails on.
This is why nail art designs have become such a popular beauty trend recently, and why many are flocking to day spas and salons to get nail art designs done by professionals with their manicures or pedicures. It adds to the fun and relaxing day spa treatment experience and makes for a great “nail selfie” on Instagram.
Nail Art Design: Tools
When it comes to nail art designs, there are many tools that come into play in order to make the design come alive and look as nice, neat, and aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Nail art kits that have all the necessary tools are available in the cosmetic aisles of most major retail chains for manicure and pedicure nail art design creations, but professional Manicurists & Pedicurists use them as well in day spas and salons. These tools include the basics such as base or top coat, cuticle pusher, nail file, polish remover and cotton balls or cleaning wipes, as well as some more advanced, nail art-specific tools.
These can include a matte topcoat, which instantly gives nails a non-glossy mod finishing touch, a nail polish correcting pin that helps to properly and precisely clean around the nail beds in the event of any messy mistakes, nail polish removal pads that helps scrub off any hard-to-clean nail polish messes, nail repair formula which can help restore your nails to a strong and healthy state if you constantly apply false nails or gel polish (making your nails dry and brittle over time), and striping tape, which is a very thin and metallic tape that is meant to be applied and kept on your nails to enhance your nail art designs, or pressed onto your nails to create straight lines before being lifted off.
Additional tools commonly found in nail art tool kits are transfer foils, which can leave behind traces of oil on your nails for a cool-looking metallic finish; a dotter tool, which can create tiny or large dots or circles on your nails (perfect if you want to paint polka dots, ladybugs, or strawberries on your nails); a striper brush, which helps create thin lines and intricate detail (a must-have for most nail art designs); loose glitter (if you love glitter, or any shiny and shimmery look for your nails); stud embellishments (whether tiny studs like rhinestones, metallic circles, colored crystal domes, or iridescent shavings); domed pearls or clear crystals (for fancier and more ladylike designs); nail stickers and wraps (premade designs that you can press onto your nails if you don’t have the time or skill to create nail art designs yourself, or if you’re in a bit of a rush at the day spa or salon); and an LED nail lamp for hardening gel polishes and other sensitive polish types for a longer-lasting result and shine.
Some nail art design tool kits even provide their own nail polishes, such as high-quality staple shades that are classic shades and commonly used in nail art designs (such as opaque blacks and whites, sheer pinks, and simple reds) and some other good non-staple shades like nude polishes (perfect for business interviews if you don’t want to be noticeable but still want to do something nice with your nails), pastel polishes (beautiful, light, and airy shades that have also seen a recent spike in popularity and are perfect for all types of seasonal designs), glitter polish, jewel tone polishes (for rich shades that go well with any outfit), vibrant hues (such as fuchsia, teal, magenta, orange, and yellow) to make nail art designs pop, and finally metallic polishes (such as gold, rose-gold, purple, mermaid-blue, or the classic silver) which, as the new neutral polishes, are commonly used in popular nail art designs.
Nail Art Design: Styles and Techniques
There are many styles and technique that help make any nail art design come to life and which professional manicurists and Pedicurists at day spas and salons know how to use.
From simple to intricate, bold to elegant, there is a plethora of nail art styles that you can try out at your next trip for a manicure or pedicure at your local day spa or salon. Many are timeless classics, others have special themes like the seasons or holidays, and some are quirky and one-of-a-kind designs that will make your nails pop and stand out among your social media feeds.
Each year magazines and beauty blogs report on the most popular nail art trends of that year, which are full of cool and new nail art designs to try out. A handful of these nail art styles will be explained more in-depth later on in this guide.
There are also plenty of techniques for creating nail art designs. First, there is “stamping”, which allows for detailed images such as animal prints like zebra stripes or leopard spots and other intricate patterns. There is also “sponging”, which requires a sponge and allows the color to build up slowly or blend two or more together.
This technique is ideal for ombre, gradient, and the currently popular galaxy nail art designs. Another technique is “dotting”, which requires a dotter tool and is great for both simple and complicated designs, especially for polka-dots, flowers, and other circular patterns. Dotting can be combined with other techniques like sponging and stamping. There is also “taping”, which requires taping off areas of your nail and applying another coat of polish.
This is good for lines and geometric patterns, as well as laser and half-moon designs and manicures or pedicures with French tips. Lastly, there are “decals”, which, like stamping, allows for pretty and intricate designs without having to manually draw them on the nails. Decals can be applied by either using printer or tattoo paper or even with a zip-lock bag.
What is Day Spa & Salon Insurance?
Day Spa and Salon Insurance is a unique specialty manicurist insurance package that Marine Agency offers to day spas and any kind of salon. It provides complete nail insurance coverage for any day spa, salon, and even yoga and Pilates studios, especially those who provide one-of-a-kind skincare, bodywork, and Electrology services.
The Day Spa and Salon insurance package include coverage for abusive act liability (abuse and molestation), professional liability (malpractice), general liability (trips, falls, and product damage), property coverage (if the owners of the day spa and salon also own the property—this includes burglary, theft, and fires) for business contents and the building itself, and an optional business interruption coverage. Off-site services such as out-call massages will also be covered automatically, and any independent contractors will also be listed as the insured.
Marine Agency is the recognized leader in beauty, electrology, and day spa and salon insurance. We deliver the only nationally available admitted occurrence form, comprehensive day spa and salon insurance program for day spas, salons, and yoga/Pilates studios with skincare, bodywork, and electrology services.
The day spa and salon insurance policies are provided through “admitted” or regulated pedicurist insurance carriers in all fifty states and DC, backed by state approval of the coverage terms and premium rates. Marine Agency is also supported by state “insurance guaranty associations” (similar to the FDIC but instead of insurance companies).
In insurance for pedicurists, all liability coverage will be written on an “occurrence form”, which means that your coverage can last forever, as long as the injury happened while the policy was in place. Meanwhile, property coverage is written on a “special form”, which is sometimes referred to as “open perils” (note: this is not available in the state of Florida).
This means that instead of a short list of covered risks or perils, we provide a short list of the ones that aren’t covered so if your risk or peril is not on this list, which means that you qualify for coverage.
Nail Art Designs To Try
If you need inspiration for the next time you get a manicure or pedicure at your local day spa or salon, here are some good ideas and suggestions for nail art designs to try. Whether classic or seasonal, bold or feminine, colorful or monochromatic, French or American, these samplings of nail art designs are beautiful, trendy, and guaranteed to spice up any look.
Classic
Perfect for any time of the year, these classic nail art designs are some of the most popular nail art designs that people choose to get done at manicures or pedicures at their local day spa or salon.
French
Who doesn’t love a good French manicure? Why not take it up a notch by painting the classic fleur-de-lis or the tricolor, blue-white-and-red flag on your nails? Your nails will look tres belle when you leave the spa!
Black & White
Nothing says “classic” more than black and white. Create a pattern of alternating black and white for each finger or toe, or paint one set of fingers and toes on one hand or foot in all white and the other set of fingers and toes on the other hand or foot all black.
Colors
If black and white just isn’t your thing, then why not try every other color on the spectrum? Pick anywhere between two or five favorite colors to create a pattern for your nails, or why not try all the colors of the rainbow?
Bows
If you’re feeling pretty girly, then why not try getting bow designs done on your nails at your next manicure and pedicure? Have your manicurist or Pedicurist paint bows on your nails, or if they have some in their tool kit or decal supplies, apply tiny bows to your nail beds with some other cute decal details like studs. Either way, your nails will look dolled up and cute as can be!
Polka Dots
This is when the dotter tool found in most nail art design tool kits comes in handy. Polka dots are an adorable classic nail art design that everyone loves and which can look good with any color combination, whether black and white, red and blue, or pink and green.
Geometric
The perfect statement nail art look, geometric designs will give your nails an extra dash of bold and make them stand out. Try simple line patterns or more complicated patterns like zig-zags and lightning bolts.
And finally…
Gradient
Have a combination of your favorite colors blend or cascade into one another to create a nice and unique gradient effect that’s easy on the eyes. Ombre has been a popular beauty trend for the last couple of years, mostly for hair, but now nails can get the ombre treatment as well.
Themed
Next to classic nail art designs, themed nail art designs are the most popular set. Whether it’s Easter, the holiday season, or just the beginning of autumn that you’re excited for, there are plenty of options to choose from to express your excitement the next time you go to the day spa or salon for a manicure or pedicure.
Holiday
There are plenty of holiday-themed nail art designs to choose from to celebrate any holiday of the year. For example, for the Fourth of July, American flags, stars, fireworks, or an alternating color pattern scheme of red, white, and blue make for some perfectly patriotic nail art designs.
For Halloween, there are plenty of spooky nail art designs to choose from the next time you head for a manicure or pedicure at your day spa or salon. You can simply paint your nails an alternating color scheme of black or orange.
You can also paint jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, witch hats, black cats, tombstones, skulls and bones, white dripping red (to represent fangs coated with blood), spiders in their webs, devils, or crows on your nails. You can even decorate your nails to go with whatever you plan on dressing up as for Halloween that year, whether for trick-or-treating or your office costume party.
For example, if you’re going as your favorite superhero, paint your nails with the colors or logo of that superhero. If you’re going as your favorite princess, paint your nails as the colors of that princess’s gown, or paint tiaras or add embellishments like studs and glitter to make your nails look as if they’ve come straight out of a fairy tale. Just like with costume ideas, the possibilities for nail art designs for Halloween are endless.
For Easter, many of the nail art designs for this holiday can also fall into nail art designs for spring, which will be explained more in-depth shortly. Turn your fingernails or toenails into colorful Easter eggs, bunnies, or baby chicks. You can also turn your nails into bright and blooming flowers.
For Easter (and spring) nail art designs, use pastel shades of colors like pink, yellow, green, purple, blue, and white. For more ideas on Easter nail art designs, check out these five great designs.
As for the holiday season, there are tons of nail art designs to choose from for all the holidays that are celebrated from November to January. First, for Thanksgiving, you can have your nails painted as turkeys, cornucopias, or as an alternating pattern between pilgrim hats and Indian feathered headdresses.
For Christmas, you can have Christmas trees, Santa Claus’s face, reindeer (with Rudolph in the lead on your thumb or big toe!), wrapped presents, Christmas tree ornaments, angels or stars painted on your nails.
You can also simply paint your nails as an alternating color scheme between the two most festive colors, red and green, or take it a step further by having glitter or a metallic matte topcoat added to imitate tinsel or the sparkle of snow, for an extra dose of magic and the Christmas spirit.
If you celebrate Hanukkah, you can paint lit menorahs, dreidels, or the colors white and blue on your nails. Lastly, for New Year’s Eve and Day, you can paint fireworks, disco balls, or the digits of the new year on your fingers. Like with Christmas, you can also add glitter or other shiny materials like the metallic matte topcoat to give off a sparkling and bedazzled look to fit in with the holiday’s mood and theme.
Seasonal
While holiday nail art designs like Christmas trees or jack-o’-lanterns can also fall into seasonal nail art designs for winter and fall, there are plenty other more generic but still fun, winter- and fall-themed nail art designs that you can try. For example, you may try snowflakes and snowmen for winter, and leaves (brown, red, orange, or gold) and pumpkins (without faces carved into them) for fall.
There are also plenty of seasonal themed nail art designs to try for spring and summer. Of course, for spring, flowers are a must for nail art. Whether it’s roses or daisies, painting bright and colorful flowers on your fingernails or toenails at your next manicure or pedicure are a perfect way to get over the icy gloom of winter and get your spirits up for a warm, sunny spring.
Many day spas and salons, as part of their nail art tool kits or nail polish supply, offer pastel shades of nail polish which are ideal for spring-themed nail art designs (although they are also good for fall, winter, and summer look). For summer, try painting suns (dark sunglasses and smiles for an added bonus), waves, palm trees, or watermelons on your nails. These will liven up any “summer look” and make any selfie on the beach more fun to take!
Conclusion
There are plenty of reasons to go to your local day spa or salon to get a manicure or a pedicure—to unwind, to de-stress, to treat yourself, to look nice for any occasion, whether it’s a party or an interview or simply because you want (and deserve) to look nice—and there are plenty of reasons to opt for designing your nails with colorful and intricate art designs while you’re getting your manicure or pedicure. Nail art designs look nice, can complement any outfit, help you get in the spirit and celebrate any holiday (or other special occasion), and make for some good photos on social media.
There are plenty of tools, styles, and techniques that your go-to professional manicurist or pedicurist at your day spa or salon can use to give you the nail art design of your dreams, and with so many nail art design ideas and options out there for any look and taste, it’s no wonder why nail art designs are a hot new cosmetic and beauty trend. So next time you go to your local day spa or salon to indulge in a much-needed and much-deserved manicure or pedicure, ask for a nail art design for your fingers or toes.
Think of it as an extra bonus to your “Me Day” that is worth indulging in. Be creative and be bold. You won’t regret it and when you walk out of the day spa or salon after your manicure and pedicure, you’ll feel and look good at the same time!
About Marine Agency
Founded in 1922, Marine Agency has grown from a small insurance company exclusively offering “marine” coverage by being a premier agency offering a large variety of general and special insurance packages and policies.
Located in the towns of Maplewood and White Station in New Jersey, Marine Agency’s team of licensed agents is available to assist with coverage for “Main Street” businesses, contractors, and personal lines, including homeowners and personal auto insurance as well as business insurance, boat & yacht insurance, and, of course, day spa and salon insurance.
Fill out our quote form, call us, or check out our contact page today to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable (real and not automated) staff member who will explain the many ways that Marine Agency will ensure that you’re insured and prepared for the unexpected!
