JAPANESE NAIL ART PICTURES. HARAJUKU NAIL POLISH TECHNIQUES, MANICURE SUPPLIES DESIGNS & IDEAS, DIY TUTORIAL.
Everyone bow down to Yukiro Dravarious, evil genius of Japanese nail art! Can you believe he did these intricate designs entirely on his own hands — WITH his own hands? (They’re not fake claws, either!) Spill the beans, Dravarious… how on Mars do you do it?
“I mostly use nail polish from the marvellous 100 yen stores found all over Tokyo; I have over 40 different colors by now. I started experimenting with nail art years ago and it’s not really as hard as it looks. You just have to be patient and do one finger at the time, slowly and precisely. My suggestion is to watch a bad movie while you’re painting your nails and waiting for them to dry.”
“First, I paint a layer of hardening polish so the nail’s foundation is steady and won’t shatter. Then I pick a basic color and do the first coat. Careful: don’t start with the second layer before the first one has completely dried. Once you’ve gotten to know the materials better, you can try mixing them together for more complex results — but if you’re a beginner, keep it simple and take your time.”
“After you’ve finished the layered designs, you can put a top coat over your nails for an even stronger result. But if you are incorporating jewels and diamonds, I recommend that you glue them on last. Otherwise, it’s hell to get rid of them with nail-polish remover…”
“A fascinating aside: my female friends always complain that their nails break easily compared to mine. It’s a fact that girls have weaker nails than boys, so my conclusion is that more boys out there should be flaunting colorful manicures! ^_^”
“As for inspiration, I try to match my nail art to my outfits or special occasions. If Halloween is coming up, I’ll paint orange and black pumpkins. If I’m going to wear a new green wig, I’ll start with a greenish base.”
“Every time you paint your nails, I encourage you to experiment with something different. As with make-up, nail decoration is difficult to begin with but gets easier, so don’t give up ね！Go out and by some nice nail polish, make me proud and remember… DON’T f@#$ it up!” 魔と愛～ユキロ★☆
† Thought you’d enjoy this CNNGo article about Japanese host clubs in photographs. Pretty-boy clones with big hair!
† Quite a few of you mentioned a documentary about Tokyo hosts and customers called Great Happiness Space. I’ve reserved it at the local library; excited to check it out!
† Guardian UK published an article about “why Japanese female pop stars matter” including Nana Kitade, Ayumi Hamasaki, Tommy Heavenly/February.
Amazing news: I heard my Japan bento inspired cookbook, Cute Yummy Time, is on display at Urban Outfitters! My book is carried in the NYC stores and other US locations, and coming to Canadian branches soon. You can also see more and purchase it here.
Are you as impressed as I am by Yukiro’s Harajuku-style nail decoration? Will you give nail art a try?
For more photo inspiration, check out this and this post about intricate nail art in Japan. If you liked today’s post, it’d be awesome if you could Tweet or share it with your friends. Domo!
Song of the Day #334: Nana Kitade – Kiss (I adore her British Classical Lolita outfit in this video. Kawaii to the bones.)
SHARE & COMMENT
LA CARMINA
74 Comments
Yukiro rocks!
I heartily agree!
yay!
i plan to get your book so i can make cute lunches for school next year ^^
Thank you, everyone!! Thanks so much for your support. ♥
awesome <3
I love those Japanese nail magazines
Yukiro I will pay you to do my nails XD
We recently had a nail polish party… so much fun!
よろこんで～^_^
Carmina, I have a little problem…I can’t wait to buy your book, as I love cooking, but I reeeeeeeally wish to have one that’s signed by you!!! :( help!
Carmina, I have a little problem…I can’t wait to buy your book, as I love cooking, but I reeeeeeeally wish to have one that’s signed by you!!! :( help!
Clare, I’ll message you ♥
don’t you LOVE LOVE? i blogged about it last year i think…it’s one of my favorite things: http://www.happyblogtime.com/2008/06/japanese-woman-defies-all-stereotypes.html
WOW I love the ones you posted! Cute blog!!
um, wow???
Yukiro rocks!
Yukiro is so creative! He surely has so many different looks and it’s neat to see what he will come up with next! <3
We have an Evil Queen makeup tutorial video coming right up! ♥ ♥
yay!
i plan to get your book so i can make cute lunches for school next year ^^
awesome <3
I love those Japanese nail magazines
Yukiro I will pay you to do my nails XD
Carmina, I have a little problem…I can't wait to buy your book, as I love cooking, but I reeeeeeeally wish to have one that's signed by you!!! :( help!
Carmina, I have a little problem…I can't wait to buy your book, as I love cooking, but I reeeeeeeally wish to have one that's signed by you!!! :( help!
Do you think the book would be in Barnes & Nobles or Borders? :3
Hi Yvonne,
Yes, it is found in both stores. I’d suggest calling first to ask if copies are in the stores; if not, they can order it for you!
I love Nana too, I got the American version of that album as well… I love how punk her lolita outfits get compared to others.
don't you LOVE LOVE? i blogged about it last year i think…it's one of my favorite things: http://www.happyblogtime.com/2008/06/japanese-w…
um, wow???
WOW I love the ones you posted! Cute blog!!
I heartily agree!
Thank you, everyone!! Thanks so much for your support. ♥
Clare, I'll message you ♥
We recently had a nail polish party… so much fun!
Oooo I’ve seen it and I know the director. Its a really great documentary! Let me know how you like it @_@
It’s a pretty good movie :) A little sad though.
saw it, quite depressing – the hosts and their clients. Definitely never going to a host bar because if that movie.
it was really good if a little depressing.
great documentary. Has solid progression and interviews that’ll stick with you.
seen it. it’s very facinating! i love host boys hahah
I thought I was creative! sheesh! so much nail art I can’t stand to look away! lol
so many awesome ones…I like the black & white scissors type one. i’m gonna have to try it.
thanks, its the ones I did most recently and I still have!!
Yukiro is so creative! He surely has so many different looks and it's neat to see what he will come up with next! <3
I’ve seen it too, it’s really interesting, and yeah, it’s kinda sad….but still, really well done! o__o
Do you think the book would be in Barnes & Nobles or Borders? :3
I love Nana too, I got the American version of that album as well… I love how punk her lolita outfits get compared to others.
Hi Yvonne,
Yes, it is found in both stores. I'd suggest calling first to ask if copies are in the stores; if not, they can order it for you!
We have an Evil Queen makeup tutorial video coming right up! ♥ ♥
I went to a asian nail place for the second time yesterday and they removed literally half of my natural nail and destroyed it … it sucked so bad there are like holes in my nails to the nail beds and I cant even breathe on them without it hurting!
Oooo I've seen it and I know the director. Its a really great documentary! Let me know how you like it @_@
It's a pretty good movie :) A little sad though.
saw it, quite depressing – the hosts and their clients. Definitely never going to a host bar because if that movie.
it was really good if a little depressing.
great documentary. Has solid progression and interviews that'll stick with you.
seen it. it's very facinating! i love host boys hahah
I thought I was creative! sheesh! so much nail art I can't stand to look away! lol
so many awesome ones…I like the black & white scissors type one. i'm gonna have to try it.
I’ve seen that movie before, the guys are sooo cute! And they look so charming before the girls, trying to impress them!
I loved the movie..it’s sad…puts a new perspective on the host club industry.
Retweeted your link for you ^_^
Plus, your book is in Urban Outfitters?! That’s awesome! I wish I lived in the US… T_T
I’ll have to Amazon.co.uk it, le sigh.
Thank you for the RT and support!! I really appreciate it <3 <3
The books is distributed in the UK by Penguin as well, and I believe it's on Amazon. xo
よろこんで～^_^
thanks, its the ones I did most recently and I still have!!
I've seen it too, it's really interesting, and yeah, it's kinda sad….but still, really well done! o__o
I went to a asian nail place for the second time yesterday and they removed literally half of my natural nail and destroyed it … it sucked so bad there are like holes in my nails to the nail beds and I cant even breathe on them without it hurting!
I've seen that movie before, the guys are sooo cute! And they look so charming before the girls, trying to impress them!
I loved the movie..it's sad…puts a new perspective on the host club industry.
Retweeted your link for you ^_^
Plus, your book is in Urban Outfitters?! That's awesome! I wish I lived in the US… T_T
I'll have to Amazon.co.uk it, le sigh.
Thank you for the RT and support!! I really appreciate it <3 <3
The books is distributed in the UK by Penguin as well, and I believe it's on Amazon. xo
The Great Happiness Space has been out for a while, you can even watch it on Netflix.
lame.
The Great Happiness Space has been out for a while, you can even watch it on Netflix.
lame.
Really nice designs.
sorry but i think your designs are tacky