NTNA Challenge #2 Sponsored by Akzentz: Vintage Couture
Inspiration and Description
One of my favourite fashion eras is the Victorian period because of the ornate materials, textures and layers throughout most of the clothes that were worn so I was automatically drawn to this for my inspiration for this Vintage Couture design. Coco Chanel was also born in this era and I can see a lot of inspiration from this period in her designs. My Vintage Couture design combines the contrasting romantic and feminine touches and dark side of the Victorian era and fashions. Akzentz sponsored this challenge and as a predominate L&P tech I wanted to challenge myself to use gel to create everything on my design, from the extensions to the pearls.
The feminine element was represented by the dusky pink base and delicate lace patterns and to exemplify the dark side, I was inspired by steampunk and made this more romantic by creating rustic old newspaper print in the shapes of butterflies.
Many of the dresses in this period were styled with layers, underskirts and ruffles. My design incorporates fun elements of different layers from the flower underskirt on the pinkie peeking out from under the ruffles of a black skirt to the hand-painted lace elements throughout the design. The ornate patterns of handheld fans, lace gloves and umbrellas inspired me to use different versions of hand painted contrasting black and white lace throughout the design. Quilted ankle boots which were often worn under the layers of skirts inspired the quilted pattern on the thumb.
I created the butterfly shaped middle finger by filing in the lace pattern and adorned with pearls made from gel. This represented the beautiful gloves worn in this era. The 3D gel butterfly was inspired by steampunk timepieces. It is detachable to symbolise the pocket watches famously sported by the gentleman of the era.
Step-by-Step Nail Art Tutorial
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1)\tUsing Akzentz Trinity Clear UV Gel, create the extensions and file into shape. Mix Akzentz Gel Play Brown, White and Red to create a dusky, vintage pink and apply to the 4 nail extensions with a flat gel brush. Apply Akzentz Matte On and remove the dispersion layer with acetone for a good base for painting.
2
Mix Akzentz Gel Play White, Brown and Yellow to create a beige shade. Using a fine line brush, paint the shape of a butterfly and cure. To create an old newspaper effect, use a fine line brush to outline the wings with Akzentz Gel Play Black and Brown and blend around the outside of the butterfly with small strokes. Paint the handwritten detail using Akzentz Gel Play Black. Create the fine line at the top of the nail with Gel Play Cosmic Silver. Create a lace underskirt effect with Akzentz Gel Play White and shade and detail with Akzentz Gel Play White and Grey. Add Akzentz Pearlescent Silver Pigment at the tip of the nail. Dilute Akzentz Gel Play White with Akzentz Shine On Top Coat and paint a sheer lace pattern at the base and paint a darker lace outline with Akzentz Gel Play White. Use Akzentz Shine On Top Coat to finish.
3
Mix Akzentz Gel Play Brown, Golden Nugget and Cosmic Silver with Akzentz Gel Powder on form paper and using a small gel brush dipped in cleanser, mold into the shape of roses. Keep layering this till you get the desired height. Paint with Akzentz Gel Play custom mixed Brown and Cosmic Silver for shading. Apply a coat of Akzentz Matte On for an ornate, vintage finish. The quilted boot pattern is created by painting Akzentz Gel Play White, curing and applying the fine lines in a criss-cross pattern with Akzentz Gel Play Golden Nugget and curing. Use Akzentz Gel Play White to fill in the squares and cure one square at a time, to avoid the product running. Use Akzentz Gel Play Golden Nugget to paint lines and Akzentz Gel Play Black for the buttons. Paint the black design using Akzentz Gel Play Black and a fine line brush. Use Akzentz Shine On Top Coat to finish.
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Create the scroll paper effect using the method in step 2 and 3D roses using the method from step 3. Use Akzentz Gel Play White to create underskirt lace peeking out. Mix Akzentz Gel Play Red and White to create the flowers and Akzentz Green Glass Gel to create the leaves.\nMix Akzentz Gel Play Black and Akzentz Gel Powder to create the skirt ruffles. Freeze cure for 5 seconds, then bend into shape. Apply to the nail with Akzentz Bond X and paint the edges with Akzentz Gold Pearlescent Powder. Paint layers of Akzentz Gel Play White to create the bow, highlight with Akzentz Gel Play Cosmic Silver and add a handmade pearl in the centre. Finish with Akzentz Shine On Top Coat.\n
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Using a dotting tool, apply beads of Akzentz Trinity Clear UV Gel on a nail form and cure for 30 seconds. Brush Akzentz Pearlescent Silver Powder over and apply Akzentz Shine on Top Coat to create the pearls.
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Create fine lines at the cuticle zone with Akzentz Gel Play Cosmic Silver. Create the butterflies using the method in step 2. Use Akzentz Bond X to apply the pearls to the nail. Mix Akzentz Gel Play White and Akzentz Gel Powder and pick up a sausage shaped bead, apply to the base of the nail and use a needle tool to press in lines for the quilting. Cure for 30 seconds.
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Paint Akzentz Gel Play White in the shape of a handheld fan and cure. Apply flower detail using the method in step 4 and apply a coat of Akzentz Matte On and remove the dispersion layer once cured. Mix Akzentz Gel Play Black and Akzentz Gel Powder and use a dotting tool to carve out a lace pattern. Cure for 30 seconds.
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Using Akzentz Trinity Clear UV Gel, create an extension in the shape of a butterfly wing and file into shape. Using a small pointed e-file piece carve in a lace shape on the wings. Paint the lace shape with Akzentz Gel Play White. Apply the torn pieces of newspaper map using the method in step 2 with the butterflies. Outline with Gel Play Black and use a dotting tool to place Akzentz Gel Play Cosmic Silver for the metallic studs. Use Akzentz Bond X to apply pearls and a black popper.\n\n
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On a nail form, draw the outline of a butterfly. Fold the form in half and trace the first side for symmetrical wings. Fill the outline with Akzentz Trinity Clear UV gel and cure for 30 seconds. Layer up the gel for the body. Paint with Akzentz Gel Play Cosmic Silver and Black, cure and apply Akzentz Gel Play White over. Apply a coat of Akzentz Matte On over the wings and paint with a mix of Akzentz Gel Play Golden Nugget and Cosmic Silver. Using a fine line brush paint Akzentz Gel Play custom mixed Brown, Black and Cosmic Silver to create watch pieces on the wings. Finish with Akzentz Matte On and remove the dispersion layer. Use Akzentz Bond X to adhere the wings to the body and the other side of the popper. Paint a piece of chain with Akzentz Gel Play Golden Nugget and Akzentz Pearlescent Gold Powder. Use Bond X to adhere one end to the butterfly and one to the base so the butterfly can be detached on a chain .
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Final Design.
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