Do Not Rush Into Nail Art When You Are Starting Out

Do Not Rush Into Nail Art When You Are Starting Out !!

When you start nails, it’s tempting to jump straight into nail art. That’s the fun part, right? Swirls, glitter, foils, French… it’s what you see on Instagram all the time.

But here’s the thing: creating a solid foundation of perfect nails is more important than anything else.

Not everyone wants nail art straight away. Most clients actually want long-lasting nails with a clean shape and good structure. If you can give them that, they’ll keep coming back — even if it’s just a simple nude or block colour.

Why Nail Art Shouldn’t Come First

One of my zebra design attempts! I definitely wasn't ready. The lines are shaky, wobbly, and honestly, it doesn't really look like a zebra print at all!

If your prep, application, and shaping aren’t right, no amount of nail art is going to hide it. In fact, art makes mistakes stand out even more. A French line will show uneven lengths. Glitter application can be bulky and lumpy.

By the time you’ve learned your skills properly, you’ll not only be faster and cleaner — you’ll also understand how gels behave and how to use them. That’s when nail art becomes easier, because you’re working on a strong base instead of fighting problems.

What To Focus On Instead

Painting close to the cuticle – this teaches you how gels behave when you press harder on your brush, how to control product, and how much to add for small details.

Practising French – picking up nice gel colour beads and working with your brush to make the smile line crisp instead of shaky. This alone builds so much brush control.

If a client sends you a nail art pic, don’t try it on the spot — practise it first so you’re ready when she sits down.

Keeping designs simple at first – stickers, water decals, foils, stamping, or minimal lines. There’s always a way to give clients designs without jumping into the most difficult techniques too soon.

Create abstract designs — no rules, no limits, and no one can say what it’s meant to be

Final Thought

Nail art will always be there waiting for you. But if you slow down and build your skills first, your work will not only look better — it will actually last. And that’s what keeps clients happy.

galaxy nails design

galaxy nails design 2020

galaxy nails design 2025

My first attempt at galaxy nails was back in 2011 ( I didn't know how layers works, all is bit merged all together) - and wow, what a difference compared to my 2020 and 2025 versions. You can clearly see the progress not only in the design but also in the overall nail work. The first set even looks like it already had two weeks of growth. Between second and third pic, my lines got so much smoother - proof that practise really does pays off!

Ready to start nail art the right way?

That’s exactly why I created my Nail Art Upskilling Manual. It walks you through techniques like stamping, marble, glitter, animal print, water decals, pigments, and sugar effects — all explained step by step so you can practise with confidence.

These designs are here to make your life easier — you can still offer nail art to your clients without having to do full hand-painted designs that require a bit more practice.

Instead of wasting hours figuring things out through trial and error, you’ll have a clear guide in your hands that shows you how and why each design works. So when you’re ready to add art to your sets, you can do it without the stress.

Maya xx