So contouring is your beloved makeup technique, and you strongly believe there is no possible contouring version you are unaware of. Well, you are wrong, gal! Even if you are a pro at contouring who keeps sculpting almost every body part, the chances are that you have yet to hear about this latest spin on the technique. We are talking about ‘nail contouring,’ the new crazy manicure trend that makes us realize that our nails must be sculpted, too! At least if you are dying to fake long, beautiful nails without putting much effort into it, you should try this foolproof method. We are sure you are going to love it. Let’s know everything about nail contouring from this post:
What Is Nail Contouring?
The trend of ‘contouring’ was started by model and reality star Kim Kardashian to show how a face can look perfectly chiseled by creating the illusion of more proportioned features (cheekbones, jawlines, etc.) with the help of makeup. Gradually, the ‘craze of sculpting’ took Instagram over, and several makeup artists, makeup enthusiasts, bloggers, and vloggers started contouring different other parts of their bodies, including neck, collarbones, cleavage, chest, abs, butt, legs, ears, hair, and so on. Nail contouring is the nail-friendly version of this contouring technique that promises longer, sexier talons in just a few strategic brushstrokes. (1) (2)
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Though the name ‘nail contouring’ sounds funky and sometimes ridiculous, it has gained momentum and emerged as a cult beauty trend. Just like highlighting and contouring the nose, it involves the application of streamlined sweeps of nail paints while keeping the sides of the nails bare. In short, it creates a perfect balance of light and dark shades, giving an illusion of thinner-looking, elongated nails without using acrylics or gels. The procedure is straightforward, the style is easy to pull off, and the result is elegant.
How Did The Trend Start?
The concept of contouring nails was brainstormed by Jin Soon Choi, a famous NYC-based nail artist and the founder of ‘Jin Soon Polishes. She coined the term’ nail contouring’ to show us a ‘nifty’ way of faking slimmer fingers and nails. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, the Korean-born manicurist revealed, “This is something I used to do when I was young. When I was growing up, my friends and I wouldn’t extend the color to the sides of our nails to make our nails look more elongated.”
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Choi used the same genius trick backstage at the latest Vera Wang show at New York Fashion Week. She covered the nails of her models with a transparent base coat, swiped a darker shade (blackberry red or powder pink) down the center, and sealed the look with a semi-matte top coat. All she needed was a thin, dark brushstroke to create the look. The beautifully contoured nails flaunted by Vera Wang models like Fei Fei Sun turned heads during the show, and the trend became an instant hit.
How To Contour Your Nails?
Here are the steps to contour your nails the right way:
- Start with applying a base coat to all of your nails correctly. It can be a transparent or clear base coat readily available at beauty stores or any super light or nude nail paint you choose. Ensure you cover each of your nails entirely with the base coat.
- Wait 2-3 minutes so the base coat dries up very well. This is important to make the application of the second layer of polish easy and effective,
- Take a dark nail paint of your choice and apply it only along the mid-sections of your nails instead of covering them entirely. This will be your ‘contour shade’ and should not be more comprehensive than a single swipe of your nail paintbrush.
- Leave both sides of your nails bare to show the clear base coat or the light-colored/nude nail paint as the ‘highlight shade.’
- Apply a thin layer of clear top coat over your nails and seal the look. You might opt for a shiny top coat or a matte one. The choice is yours.
Why Should You Try Nail Contouring?
If you are still not impressed with nail contouring, here is a list of reasons why you should give it a shot right now:
- It makes the fingers and nails look elongated and thinner.
- Does not make use of gels or acrylics.
- The single swipe method is straightforward to execute.
- It is not at all a time-consuming process.
- You do not need to worry about ending up getting your cuticles painted.
- It is bliss for lazy girls who find it highly irritating to paint their nails and then fix the mistakes for each of them individually.
- Works as a cool trick for girls with short, stubby nails.
- Gives a beautiful two-toned manicure quickly.
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Summary
Nail contouring, a spin on the popular makeup technique, offers a foolproof method to create the illusion of longer, sexier nails. Originating from Jin Soon Choi, a renowned NYC-based nail artist, this trend involves applying contrasting shades to the center and leaving the sides bare. It promises an elegant, elongated nail look without using acrylics or gels. The process is simple, quick, and perfect for those seeking a stylish two-toned manicure.
