So this week we’re moving on to something (just a little) more exiting and creative…
The half-moon mani emerged in the 1920s, and especially featured in the burlesque circles.
It is kind of a “reversed” French Mani, because you accentuate the little half-moon at the base of your nail, instead of your nail tip.
And unlike French Mani’s, it is not usually done in natural/nude colours, but rather with 2 complementary or contrasting colours.
Here’s a little step by step that I prepared for you to try your own :
Step 1. After a clear base coat, cut some paper reinforcement ring stickers in half and stick them on the base of your nail over the natural half-moon. (you can also use French tip guides instead of the ring stickers)
Step 2. Paint a coat of your chosen nail polish colour from the edge of the ring stickers to your tips and allow to dry.
Step 3. Paint a coat of your chosen glitter nail polish, before removing the makeshift nail guides and allowing to dry.
Step 4. Carefully paint on your second colour in a “rounded sweeping” brush stroke – following the border that was created by step 2&3 – on the half-moon area of your nails.
Step 5. Lastly, use a nail art pen and a 3rd colour to paint a thin line where your first 2 colours meet, and finish off with a coat of clear top coat to round off the look.
For a more edgy look – you can also go for a regular triangle, or a slightly curved triangular shape instead of the half moon.
Here I used 2 ring stickers stuck together, to create curvy triangles:
I can’t believe I’ve never done halfmoon… I guess I’m not a fan of french OR half moon on me, but gotta try one of these days ; )
I didn’t know it started predominantly in Burlesque cycles!
Very cool.