TL;DR:

Celebrating a special anniversary with a unique nail design? Dive into the story behind my red velvet and gold nails—a classy yet bold choice that strays from the typical Valentine’s Day flair. Discover how I chose and created this look to express my style and mark a decade of togetherness. Don’t forget to check out more of my designs and join the community on Instagram @nailsonspectrum.

Introduction

If you haven’t checked it out yet, peek at my first post under Behind the Brush. It offers a glimpse into my world and how I operate. Speaking of which, the cover photo of that post has a story of its own, especially chosen for a very special day.

The Inspiration Behind the Design

Searching for the perfect nail design can sometimes feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, especially when you want something that screams class without the cheesiness. Valentine’s Day designs? Too much for my taste, yet all roads in love-themed nail art lead back to them. Determined to break the mold, I embarked on a two-day quest for the perfect inspiration.

Why Red Velvet and Gold?

Red is a classic, no explanation is needed. But why the gold accents? Not just because gold pairs beautifully with red or because of my newfound obsession with gold (though my watch’s gold accents did influence me). It’s more about reinventing my style—I’ve always been a silver girl until now.

The Process

My natural nails aren’t in great shape, so extensions are my go-to. For this special occasion—celebrating a decade together—I decided to go the extra mile. Enter Acrylogel, my time-saving hero. Using dual forms, I created a nice base quickly, focusing on building the apex manually to avoid cuticle issues and save on the product. Plus, I got to use my favorite rubber base from Makear, which is a dream to work with thanks to its self-leveling feature. Minimal filing is needed!

Choosing the Colors

The red I chose was from a recent purchase. It’s a deep, rich color that is covered perfectly in just two thin layers. And let’s not get started on the allure of red nails—so much history there! For the golden accents, I opted for a symmetrical design across both hands. I deliberately freehanded the details to allow a bit of imperfection—it’s the effort that counts, and symmetry in concept was enough for me.

Connect and Express

Thank you for diving into my story! I’d love for you to continue this journey with me over on Instagram @nailsonspectrum, where you can see more of my work, engage with the content, and become part of our vibrant community. Your support helps keep the creativity flowing!