Nail Art, Design, and Finishing Techniques
What this domain tests
Nail art questions test design principles, product compatibility, tool sanitation, and finishing so the art lasts. Expect color theory, French and ombré work, stamping, foils, and encapsulation.
Core rules
- Use balance, proportion, and repetition; keep the design’s visual weight appropriate to nail length and shape.
- Color theory matters: complementary colors contrast; analogous colors harmonize; value contrast keeps small details readable.
- Work thin. Thick art lifts, traps moisture, and cures poorly. Build in layers and cure or dry each layer.
- Use cosmetic-grade glitter and pigments, not craft products. Seal edges and the free edge with top coat.
- Sanitize brushes, dotting tools, and stampers between clients; do not double-dip into shared product.
- Encapsulation uses clear product over art; keep the layer thin enough to cure.
Worked example
A French tip looks uneven because the smile line is drawn too high on one side. Fix it by mapping the line at the same distance from the free edge on both sides, then sealing with a thin top coat. Reasoning: symmetry is judged from the free edge, so consistent placement matters more than a thick white layer.
Traps that cost marks
- Applying art so thick it never fully cures.
- Using craft glitter that bleeds or reacts.
- Leaving rhinestones unsealed so they catch hair.
- Forgetting to cap the free edge.