How to Have Airbrush Nails from Home

Looking to add a bit of color to your nails but you want to skip the nail polish? Nail polish can be rather hard to use, especially if you would like to add some intricate detailing to your fingernails. A lot of women these days are choosing to airbrush their fingernails as an alternative to the classic nail polish or nail varnish.
You can either go to a salon to have your nails airbrushed, which is generally how it is done, or you can even choose to do it yourself! Here’s what you need:

• An airbrush machine (do beware, if this is something you haven’t purchased yet an airbrush machine can easily set you back $160USD or more)
• A stencil
• Airbrush paint
• An airbrush cleaning product
• Soap and water (for clean up)

1. Find a stencil you would like to use. If you are doing the airbrush nails yourself, you can find several stencils at a nail salon. Some stencils include stars, flowers, lines, rainbows, and even a skull and cross bones design! It’s also possible for you to make your very own airbrush stencil too.
2. Apply a basecoat to your fingernails before airbrushing. Though any basecoat type will do, if you tend to have finger nails that crack or break easily you may want to invest in a basecoat that will help strengthen your nails

TIP: You can airbrush a background onto your nails before applying a base coat if you’d like.

3. Once the basecoat has dried, it’s time to airbrush! Place the stencil over the top of your chosen finger. It is generally best to place the stencil a bit above the area you would like for the design to go, as the “blast” from the airbrush machine may make your stencil shift downwards
4. When you are happy with how your design as turned out, clean up any excess paint with an acetone nail polish remover.
5. Apply a top coat overtop of your nail design once it has dried. Once the top coat has dried, you’re good to go!
One of the important things to keep in mind before you begin this process is that your air brushing machine is clean and loaded with the paint color of your choice. Both before and after airbrushing your nails, be sure to clean out the airbrush machine properly (read the user’s manual if you need any help with this). Airbrush machines are prone to clogs or partial clogs that can definitely ruin your design!
Also, though it is recommended that you use an acetone varnish remover to get rid of any excess airbrush paint, if you have false nails choose a remover that does NOT have acetone in it. Opt for an acetate remover instead, and make sure to wear gloves when ever using remover, when ever possible (such as if you need to clean up any excess airbrush paint from the area).
If you have any concerns about airbrushing your nails yourself, invest in a trip to the salon once before you do it yourself and see how they do it! Ask as many questions as you may need to do ensure that you will be able to apply airbrush to your nails at home with confidence.