Nail Art and Design
What the exam tests
Nail art and design tests sanitation, product compatibility, and design principles: balance, proportion, color, scale, and durability. Art must fit the nail shape and lifestyle without creating bulk, lifting, or allergy risk.
Core rules
- Sanitize brushes, dotting tools, and stampers between clients; porous art items should be single-use.
- Use cosmetic-grade or nail-specific pigments, glitters, and adhesives; craft products may not be skin-safe.
- Keep embellishments away from the cuticle and sidewalls so they do not catch or lift.
- Encapsulate 3D art or heavy glitter within the system so it is smooth and secure.
- Scale the design to the nail: large art on a short nail looks crowded and lifts at edges.
- Confirm the client's color, theme, and removal expectations before starting.
Worked example
A client with short, narrow nails wants a large rhinestone at the free edge. Reasoning: a large stone will overhang, catch, and lift. Offer a smaller stone placed away from the edge, or a hand-painted accent with a vertical line to lengthen the nail visually. Explain the durability trade-off and let the client choose.
Traps
Applying art over cuticle; using unsterilized brushes; mixing incompatible gels and polishes; and promising that heavy 3D art will last as long as a smooth overlay. Also avoid posting client photos without consent.