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No tutorial video this month, our brand reps have been busy creating instead, and honestly, their photos told us everything we needed. Three looks, three moods, all shoppable. Here's what's in each one and how we'd recreate it. Look 1: Sparkling Ribbons A glittery rosรฉ base with a soft white French tip built in, finished with one small bow on each nail. What's in it: Sparkling French Rosรฉ (Semi-Cured, Ballet Blush Edit) โ the base Mini Bows Nail Art Decals (Spring Details) โ the detail How we'd recreate it: Apply Sparkling French Rosรฉ as your full set and cure as normal. Once cured, pick up a Mini Bow decal with the metal end of your Precision Tweezers and press it just above the smile line on each nail (or just a couple, if you want it as an accent rather than all ten). No extra top coat needed, the shimmer's already built into the shade. Brand Rep Photo: Sparkling rosรฉ French mani with pink bow decals Look 2: Little Orchard A soft, everyday pink with one accent nail finished in a cluster of tiny fruits. What's in it: Pink Lemonade (Semi-Cured, Picnic Club Edit) โ the base Mini Fruits Nail Art Decals (Spring Details) โ the accent How we'd recreate it: Apply Pink Lemonade as your base set. Pick one nail as your accent (we love the ring finger) and finish it with two or three Mini Fruits decals clustered near the base, pressed down and sealed with your Precision Tweezers. Brand Rep Photo:ย Pink Lemonade nail with tiny fruit cluster decal Look 3: Lilac Lines A soft, chalky matte lilac with fine silver lines cutting across each nail at an angle. What's in it: Purple Rain (Semi-Cured, Azure Escape Edit) โ the base Silver Stripes Nail Art Decals โ the detail Matte Velvet Top Coat โ the finish How we'd recreate it: Apply Purple Rain as your full set and cure. Add one or two Silver Stripes decals on an angle across each nail, there's no wrong placement here, whatever feels balanced to your eye is right. Finish with Matte Velvet Top Coat and cure again for the soft matte look in the photos. Brand Rep Photo: Purple Rain nail with Silver Stripes decal ย A note on mixing and matching None of these looks are locked to the exact products listed. Swap Purple Rain for any other Azure Escape shade, or trade the Silver Stripes for Gold Stripes if that's more your palette. The point isn't to copy exactly, it's to see how a base shade and one small detail can completely change a mani. If you want to build your own combination, ourย Build Your Own Nail Art Bundle lets you mix decals, gel liners and tape at a discount when you pick five. Laura + Bek ย Spring Nail Art FAQs Do I need any nail art experience to recreate these looks? No. All three are decals or gel wraps pressed onto a base colour, not hand-painted art. If you can apply a wrap, you can do any of these. โธป What tool do I need to place the decals? Precision Tweezers. The metal end picks up and places decals exactly where you want them, no slipping, no shaky hands. โธป Do I need a top coat for all three looks? Only Look 3 needs one, the Matte Velvet Top Coat is what gives it that soft, chalky finish. Look 1's shimmer is already built into Sparkling French Rosรฉ, and Look 2 doesn't need one unless you want extra shine. โธป Can I mix Spring Details decals with other nail art in the range? Yes. Spring Details sits alongside our wider Nail Art collection, decals, gel liners and tape all mix and match freely. โธป Will these decals work with UV-Free wraps too? Yes. Decals press onto any finished mani, Semi-Cured or UV-Free. Written by Laura & Bek Founders of LA-BEK, an Australian brand creatingย semi-cured gel nail wraps and UV-free gel nail wraps designed to make salon-quality nails simple, at home.
A soft, dove-grey periwinkle base with one fine rose gold line, and a single angled tip to finish it off Periwinkle is having a proper moment this year, that chalky, cool-toned blue-lilac that photographs beautifully and goes with almost everything. We wanted a nail art look that let the colour do the talking, so we kept the detail to one thing: a fine rose gold line. Most nails get a single thin stripe sitting close to the cuticle. One accent nail gets an angled tip instead, like a modern take on a French mani. That's it. No freehand, no patterns, no fuss. It's quiet, it's a little bit luxe, and it takes about ten minutes on top of your usual application. This is the third post in ourย Nail Art Tutorialsย series, the looks we actually wear, broken down step-by-step so you can recreate them at home. Catch up on Violet Moonlight and Night Black and Gold Strip Nail Artย if you missed them. Let's get into it. ย The look at a glance Base:ย Periwinkle Semi-Cured Gel Nails, a soft, dove-grey blue-lilac with a cool, wearable edgeAccent:ย Rose Gold Stripes + Tips Nail Art Decals, fine rose gold line decals plus angled tip decals on the same sheetFinish: Gloss Top Coat, seals everything in and adds that glassy, wet-look shineTime:ย Around 10 minutes on top of your standard applicationSkill level:ย Beginner-friendly, no freehand, no brushes, just tweezers and a steady hand You don't need the stripe sitting in exactly the same spot on every nail, and you don't need the angled tip on the same finger every time. A little variation from nail to nail is part of what makes this look feel considered rather than stencilled on. That's the charm of it. ย What you'll need Periwinkle Semi-Cured Gel NailsRose Gold Stripes + Tips Nail Art DecalsPrecision Tweezers: for clean, controlled decal placementGloss Top Coat: to seal and protect the finishUV LED lamp: to cure your gel wraps and top coatCuticle oil and a wooden cuticle stick/tweezersย for prep ย Step-by-step: how to create the Quiet Luxe look Step 1: Prep your nails Start with clean, oil-free nails: - Push back your cuticles (ourย full guideย if you need a refresher)- Wipe each nail with a prep pad or rubbing alcohol- File and shape if needed Good prep is what turns a 5-day mani into a 2-week one. Don't rush this bit. ย Step 2: Apply your Periwinkle wraps and cure Apply your Periwinkle Semi-Cured Gel Nails as normal: - Match each wrap to the size of your nail- Press firmly from cuticle to tip- Smooth out any air bubbles- File away the excess at the tips- Cure fully under your UV LED lamp If you're new to semi-cured application, ourย Semi-Cured Gel Nails How Toย tutorial walks through the whole process. ย Step 3: Place your rose gold stripe near the cuticle Using yourย Precision Tweezers, gently lift a stripe decal from the sheet. Position it horizontally, sitting close to the cuticle line rather than across the middle of the nail. This is the detail that makes the look: a stripe near the base reads as a fine, jewellery-like line rather than a French tip. Press it flat with an orange stick or the flat edge of your tweezers, working from the centre outward to smooth out any air. Trim the excess at both edges with small nail scissors. Repeat on every nail except your chosen accent nail. ย Step 4: Add the angled tip to your accent nail Pick one nail as your accent. We used the thumb, but the ring finger works just as well. Lift a tip decal from the same sheet and lay it across the upper corner of the nail at a slight angle, following the natural curve of the tip. Press flat, then trim to match the edge of your nail. It's a small detail, but it's what gives this look its slightly asymmetric, modern edge. ย Step 5: Repeat and vary Work your way across both hands: rose gold stripe near the cuticle on most nails, angled tip on your accent nail. You don't need to mirror the placement exactly from hand to hand. A little natural variation is part of the look. ย Step 6: Seal with Gloss Top Coat Apply a thin layer of [Gloss Top Coat](https://la-bek.com.au/product/gloss-top-coat/) over every nail, making sure you go all the way over the decals. Press the brush flat against the nail and sweep from cuticle to tip in one smooth pass. ย Step 7: Final cure and enjoy Cure under your UV LED lamp as directed on the top coat. A little cuticle oil around the edges to finish, and your Quiet Luxe set is done. ย ย ย Why this look works 1.ย Periwinkle is doing a lot of the work.ย It's one of the most talked-about shades this year: soft, cool-toned, and genuinely wearable, which means the nail art on top doesn't need to compete with it. 2.ย Fine metallic detail feels expensive right now.ย The trend has moved away from heavy glitter toward delicate, fine metallic accents, exactly what a single thin rose gold line gives you. 3.ย One decal sheet, two finishes.ย Stripes for a clean line, tips for an angled accent nail. You get two looks' worth of nail art from one set of decals. ย Quick recap - Apply Periwinkle wraps as normal and cure fully- Pick a rose gold stripe from the sheet with precision tweezers- Position the stripe close to the cuticle line on each nail- Choose one accent nail and add an angled tip decal near the free edge- Press flat, trim the excess and repeat across both hands- Seal with Gloss Top Coat over every nail, including the decals- Final cure and enjoy Around 10 minutes on top of your standard application. Lasts 2+ weeks. Looks a lot more considered than it actually is. ย Shop this look -ย Periwinkle Semi-Cured Gel Nails- Rose Gold Stripes + Tips Nail Art Decals-ย Precision Tweezers-ย Gloss Top Coat Buy the Quiet Luxe Nail Art Bundle Or browse the full Semi-Cured rangeย and Nail Art rangeย for more colours and decal styles to mix and match. ย ย Quiet Luxe Nail Art FAQs How long does this look take to do? Aroundย 10 minutes on top of your standard application: a few extra minutes for the stripes, a couple more for the angled tip on your accent nail. If it's your first time working with decals, give yourself closer to 15โ20 minutes so you're not rushing the placement. โธป Can I use the Rose Gold Stripes + Tips decals on UV-Free wraps instead of Semi-Cured? Yes, the decals work on ourย UV-Free wrapsย too. Keep in mind UV-Free wears for 7โ10 days rather than 2+ weeks, so the overall wear time will be shorter, but the application process is much the same. โธป Do I need the stripe in exactly the same spot on every nail? Not at all. Small variations from nail to nail (a touch higher, a touch lower) actually make the look feel more natural and less stencilled. Consistency isn't the goal here. โธป Which nail should I choose as my accent nail? Whichever one you like. We went with the thumb, but the ring finger is a classic choice if you want the accent to be the first thing people notice. There's no wrong answer. โธป Will the rose gold decals stay put through normal wear? Yes, sealing them under a thin layer of Gloss Top Coatย and curing under your UV lamp locks them in for the full life of the set, typically 2+ weeks with proper prep. The top coat step is the one to never skip. โธป Can I skip the accent tip and just do stripes on all ten nails? Absolutely. It's a lovely, simpler variation: one fine rose gold line on every nail, no angled tip at all. Equally, you could do tips on every nail and skip the stripes. The sheet gives you the flexibility either way. โธป Will this look damage my nails? No, LA-BEK Semi-Cured Gel Nails and our nail art decals are gentle on your natural nails when applied and removed properly. For the gentlest removal, head to ourย step-by-step removal guide: cuticle oil, patience, and no peeling. โธป Can I do this look on short nails? Yes, the stripe-near-cuticle placement actually suits shorter nails well, since it doesn't rely on length to work. For the angled tip, keep it a touch smaller so it doesn't overwhelm the nail. Laura'sย tips for short nailsย has more on adapting nail art for shorter lengths. โธป Written by Laura & BekFounders of LA-BEK, an Australian brand creatingย semi-cured gel nail wraps andย UV-free gel nail wrapsย designed to make salon-quality nails simple, at home.
One gold line. That's it. And somehow it changes everything. This is the nail art we keep coming back to when we want something that looks expensive without taking more than a few extra minutes. Night Black as the base, one thin gold strip placed horizontally across each nail, pressed flat, trimmed, and sealed under top coat. It's minimal, it's editorial, and it's genuinely beginner-friendly, no steady hands, no brushes, no artistic talent required. If you can use tweezers, you can do this look. Photo: Night Black Semi-cured Gel Nails and Gold Stripes Nail Decal ย ย The look at a glance Base: Night Black Semi-Cured Gel Nails a deep, high-gloss black that makes every accent popAccent: Gold Stripes Nail Art Decals ultra-thin gold lines pressed directly onto the cured gelFinish: Gloss Top Coat seals the strip in and adds that polished, wet-look shineTime: Around 5โ10 minutes on top of your standard application - Skill level: Beginner-friendly โ no brushes, no freehand, no artistic talent required The placement doesn't have to be identical on every nail. A slight variation in where the strip sits, higher on one finger, lower on another, actually makes the whole look feel more natural and intentional. That's part of its charm. ย ย What you'll need - Night Black Semi-Cured Gel Nails- Gold Stripes Nail Art Decals- Precision Tweezers the key tool for clean placement- Gloss Top Coat to seal and protect- UV LED lamp to cure your gel strips and top coat ย ย Step-by-step: how to do black and gold strip nail art at home Step 1 โ Apply your Night Black gel wraps as normal Follow the standard [semi-cured application process](/starter-kit/): prep your nails, peel, press, file, and cure. Make sure your nails are fully cured and smooth before adding any nail art on top. No need to apply top coat yet โ you'll add that at the very end to seal everything in. If you're new to applying our semi-cured wraps, our Semi-Cured Gel Nails How To tutorial is a perfect refresher. Step 2 โ Pick up your gold strip with precision tweezers The Gold Stripes Nail Art Decals come on a backing sheet with multiple thin gold lines โ you'll have plenty to work with. Using your precision tweezers, gently lift one strip from the sheet at one end. The strips are delicate, so take your time. You don't need to press hard โ a light grip is all it takes. Tip: Pick up the strip near one end, not the middle. It gives you more control when you're positioning it on the nail. Step 3 โ Position the strip across the nail Lay the strip horizontally across the nail, roughly in the middle or wherever feels right to you. One of the beauties of this look is that the placement doesn't have to be perfect or the same on every nail, a little variation actually makes it feel more natural and intentional. Hold one end of the strip down lightly with your tweezers while you let the rest of the strip fall across the nail surface. Tip: If the strip lands slightly crooked, you can gently nudge it with the flat side of your tweezers before pressing it down. Step 4 โ Press down and smooth Once the strip is where you want it, use your wooden stick or the flat end of your tweezers to gently press the strip flat against the nail surface. Work from the centre outward to either side to remove any air gaps or bubbles. The strip will adhere easily โ no glue or adhesive required. Step 5 โ Trim the excess Once the strip is pressed flat, use small nail scissors or nail snips to trim the excess strip at both edges of the nail. Trim as close to the nail edge as possible for a clean finish. Tip: Trim at a slight angle if needed to follow the natural curve of your nail edge. This gives a neater result than a straight cut. Step 6 โ Repeat and vary Apply a gold strip to each nail. You can keep the placement consistent (all strips in the same horizontal position) for a more structured look, or vary the height slightly from nail to nail for something more organic. You can also try applying two strips on some nails, or a diagonal angle on one accent nail. There's no wrong way. Step 7 โ Apply your gloss top coat and cure Once all your strips are on and trimmed, apply your Gloss Top Coat over the entire nail โ including over the gold strip. This seals everything in, protects the strip, and gives the whole mani that polished, high-shine finish. Cure under your UV LED lamp as directed on the top coat. That's it. You're done. The result A chic, wearable nail art look that takes under five minutes once your base is applied. The gold line catches light in the best way and looks incredible against a glossy black base. It works for every nail length and shape โ short, medium, long, square, almond, oval. The simplicity of the design means it always looks intentional. ย ย Ways to mix it up Once you're comfortable with the basic horizontal placement, there are a few easy variations to try: Double stripe: place two strips on each nail, slightly spaced apart, for a more graphic look. Diagonal: angle the strip across the nail instead of horizontal. Works especially well on longer nail shapes. Mixed placement: use the stripe on some nails and leave others plain. A clean black nail paired with gold-lined ones creates a really nice balance. Accent nail only: if you're not quite ready to do all ten, start with just one or two nails as a feature. A single gold stripe on a ring finger is effortlessly stylish. ย ย Quick recap - Apply Night Black semi-cured gel wraps as normal and cure- Pick up a gold strip from the sheet with precision tweezers- Position the strip horizontally across the nail- Press flat with an orange stick and trim the excess at each edge- Apply Gloss Top Coat over the entire nail, including the strip- Final cure and enjoy Around 5โ10 minutes of nail art on top of your standard application. Lasts the full two weeks. Looks like you paid for it. Shop NAIL ART Browse our full Nail Art Range for more colours, liners, and sticker designs to mix and match. ย ย Black and gold Nail Art FAQs Do I need any nail art experience for this look? Not at all, this is one of the most beginner-friendly nail art styles there is. The only tool you need is a pair of precision tweezers. There's no painting, no freehand work, and no artistic skill required. If the strip placement isn't perfect on your first try, you can gently reposition it before pressing down. It's very forgiving. โธป Will the gold strips stay on under top coat? Yes, applying a top coat over the strips is actually the most important step for longevity. The top coat seals the strip to the nail surface and protects it from catching or lifting at the edges. Without top coat, the strips can snag. With it, they'll last the full wear of your gel wraps. โธป How long will this nail art look last? Night Black semi-cured gel wraps wear for 2+ weeks with proper application and care. With the gold strips sealed under top coat, the nail art should last the full duration of your mani, you shouldn't need to touch it up between sets. โธป Can I use the gold strips on UV-free gel wraps instead? Yes, the Gold Stripes Nail Art Decals work on UV-free wraps too. Keep in mind that UV-free wraps wear for 7โ10 days rather than 2+ weeks, so the overall wear time will be shorter. The application process is the same. โธป How do I remove the gold strips at the end? You don't need to remove them separately. When it's time for your next mani, remove your gel wraps as normal using the standard removal process, the gold strips will come away with the wrap. Never peel. Always use cuticle oil and soak to release gently. โธป How many strips are on one decal sheet? The Gold Stripes Nail Art Decals sheet contains multiple thin gold lines โ enough to cover all ten nails with strips to spare for variations, fixes, and double-stripe looks. You'll find you get a lot of mileage from a single sheet. โธป Can I layer multiple gold strips on one nail? Yes, and it looks great. Two strips placed close together give a more graphic, architectural feel. Just make sure you seal all strips under a generous top coat layer for the best result. โธป What other colours work with the gold strips? Gold strips look stunning on deep, rich bases โ think dark plum, forest green, deep navy. They also work beautifully on a nude or cream base for a warmer, more delicate effect. Black just happens to be the most high-contrast pairing, which is why it's our favourite. โธป Do I need to apply the strips before or after curing? After curing your base gel wrap โ but before your final top coat layer. The sequence is: apply gel wrap โ cure โ apply gold strip โ seal with top coat โ cure. This ensures the strip is locked in under the top coat for maximum durability. ย ย Written by Laura & Bek Founders of LA-BEK, an Australian brand creating semi-cured gel nail wraps and UV-free gel nail wraps designed to make salon-quality nails simple, at home.
Inspired by the Seven Sisters Festival โ silver moons, scattered stars, and a deep violet base A few weeks ago, I was getting ready for Seven Sisters Festival and wanted my nails to match the vibe โ feminine, a little bit witchy, and properly celestial. What I ended up with: a different design on every nail. Silver moons on some, scattered stars on others, fine silver lines on the rest, all over a deep, shimmery violet base. It looked like wearing a little night sky on my hands. And the best part? It's much easier than it looks. This is the first post in our new Nail Art Tutorials series โ bringing you the looks we wear ourselves, step-by-step, with everything you need to recreate them at home. Let's get into it. ย ย The look at a glance - Base: Violet Luster Semi-Cured Gel Nailsโ a deep, shimmery purple with subtle holographic flecks- Accents: A mix of Silver Moons, Silver Stars, and freehand details using Silver Gel Liner- Finish: Gloss Top Coat for that wet-look celestial shine- Time: Around 30 minutes from start to finish- Skill level: Beginner-friendly โ no freehand drawing required The whole point of this look is that no two nails need to match. You can scatter the elements however feels right to you. That's part of the charm. Photo: Violet Moon Nail Art Bundle ย ย What you'll need Everything in the Violet Moon Nail Art Bundle โ designed to give you exactly what you need to recreate this look at home: - 1 set of Violet Luster Semi-Cured Gel Nails- 1 sheet of Silver Moons Nail Art Decals- 1 sheet of Silver Stars Nail Art Decals- 1 Silver Gel Liner- 1 Gloss Top Coat- 1 pair of Precision Tweezers โ the secret weapon for clean sticker placement Plus, you'll also want: - A UV LED lamp- Cuticle oil and a wooden cuticle stick for prep Shop the Violet Moon Bundle โ ย ย Step-by-step: How to create the Violet Moonlight look Step 1 โ Prep your nails Start with clean, oil-free nails:- Push back your cuticles (we've got a full guide here)- Wipe each nail with a prep wipe or rubbing alcohol- File and shape if neededGood prep makes the difference between a 5-day look and a 2-week look. Don't skip it. Step 2 โ Apply your Violet Luster wraps Apply your Violet Luster Semi-Cured Gel Nails as normal:- Match each wrap to the size of your nail- Press firmly from cuticle to tip- Smooth out any air bubbles- File away the excess at the tips Don't cure yet โ we're going to add the stickers first, before the final top coat cure. If you're new to applying our semi-cured wraps, our Semi-Cured Gel Nails How To tutorial is a perfect refresher. Step 3 โ Place your moon and star stickers Here's where it gets fun. Using your Precision Tweezers, gently remove a sticker from the sheet and place it where you like on the nail. Some ideas from how I styled mine: - Ring finger: a single crescent moon, centred- Middle finger: one larger star and one smaller star, scattered- Index finger: two or three tiny stars near the tip- Pinky: a single accent moon or star- Thumb: clean (or add a star if you like the symmetry) There's no wrong way to do it. Mix moons and stars however you fancy. The slightly random placement is what gives it that effortless celestial look. Press each sticker firmly into place โ the rubber end of the Precision Tweezers is brilliant for this. Step 4 โ Add fine silver gel liner details On the nails where you didn't add stickers (or to add to the ones you did), use your Silver Gel Liner to add: - Fine vertical streaks (like falling starlight)- Tiny silver dots scattered like distant stars- A small cluster of lines near the cuticle for a subtle accent Less is more here. A few quick strokes is all you need. The liner is forgiving โ you can wipe back any mistakes with a wooden stick before curing. You can cure between fingers if you're worried about smudging. Cure your gel liner under your UV LED lamp (60 seconds is usually plenty) before moving to the top coat. If gel liner is new to you, the application videos on our nail art page walk you through the technique. Step 5 โ Seal with Gloss Top Coat Apply a thin layer of Gloss Top Coat over each nail. Make sure you go all the way over your stickers and gel liner โ sealing everything in is what makes this set last even longer than 2+ weeks. Press the brush flat against the nail and sweep from cuticle to tip. Avoid going back and forth โ one smooth pass is best. Step 6 โ Final cure Pop your hands back under the UV LED lamp for one final cure. 60 seconds and you're done. Step 7 โ Enjoy Step back, admire, and start mentally planning what you're wearing with them. Your Violet Moonlight set is complete. ย ย Why this look works Three things make this design feel polished even though it's beginner-friendly: 1. The base does the heavy lifting. Violet Luster's deep, shimmery finish creates a "night sky" canvas that makes any silver accent look intentional. 2. Mismatched nails are the point. You're not trying to make all ten match โ you're creating a scattered, celestial feel. That's why it works on any skill level. 3. Stickers + liner = layered detail without the freehand pressure. Stickers give you the clean shapes, liner adds the organic lines. Together they look like a much more advanced manicure than they actually are. ย ย Quick recap - Apply Violet Luster wraps as normal- Place silver moons and stars with precision tweezers- Add freehand silver liner details on remaining nails- Cure the gel liner under your UV lamp- Seal with a thin layer of Gloss Top Coat- Final cure and enjoy Around 30 minutes from start to finish. Lasts 2+ weeks. Looks like you spent an afternoon at a salon. ย ย Shop the Violet Moon Bundle Everything you need to recreate this look at home, in one bundle:Violet Luster Semi-Cured Gel Nails, Silver Moons Nail Art Decals, Silver Stars Nail Art Decals, Silver Gel Liner, Gloss Top Coat, Precision Tweezers Shop the Violet Moon Bundle โ $100 Or browse our full Nail Art Range for more colours, liners, and sticker designs to mix and match. ย ย Violet Moonlight Tutorial FAQs How long does this look take to do? Around 30 minutes from start to finish, including prep, sticker placement, gel liner work, top coat, and curing. If it's your first time using gel liner or placing stickers, allow yourself a bit longer โ say 45 minutes โ so you're not rushing. โธป Can I do this look with UV-Free wraps instead of Semi-Cured? Not quite โ this specific look needs Semi-Cured wraps because:- The Silver Gel Liner needs to cure under a UV lamp- The Gloss Top Coat is also UV-cured If you don't have a UV lamp, you can still get a beautiful celestial look using UV-Free wraps + stickers only (skip the gel liner step, and use the stickers more generously). It won't have the freehand silver detail, but it'll still look gorgeous. โธป Do I need to use all three accent elements (gel liner + both sticker types)? Not at all. This look is endlessly customisable. You can simplify it by:- Using only the moons for a softer, lunar feel- Using only the stars for a more sparkle-forward look- Skipping the gel liner if you want pure sticker accents- Going liner-only if you prefer minimalism The bundle gives you all the elements so you can mix and match across multiple manis. โธป Will the stickers stay put through normal wear? Yes โ when you seal them with a thin layer of Gloss Top Coat and cure under your UV lamp, the stickers are locked in for the full life of the set (typically 2+ weeks with proper prep). The key is the top coat. Don't skip it. โธป Can I do this look without a UV lamp? Not exactly as shown โ the silver gel liner and gloss top coat both need UV curing. But you can absolutely create a celestial-inspired UV-Free version using:- A dark UV-Free base (try Ebony or Pacific Blue)- Silver Moon and Star stickers pressed firmly into place- A UV-Free finishing wipe or matte top option if available It won't have the fine liner detail, but it'll still look stunning. โธป What if I'm not confident with gel liner? Two tips that make all the difference: - Start light โ you can always add more strokes, but it's harder to take away- Wipe back mistakes with a wooden stick or cotton bud before you cure โ once it's under the lamp, it's set Or skip the liner entirely. The stickers alone give you a beautiful look. You can always practise the liner technique on a single nail next time. โธป Will this look damage my nails? No โ LA-BEK Semi-Cured Gel Nails (and our nail art) are gentle on your natural nails when applied and removed properly. For the gentlest removal, head to our step-by-step removal guideโ cuticle oil, patience, and no peeling. โธป Can I do this look on shorter nails? Absolutely โ and it actually translates beautifully to shorter nails. The scattered placement style means you don't need length to make it work. A few tweaks for short nails:- Use smaller stickers or fewer per nail- Keep the gel liner streaks shorter and finer- Place accents closer to the tip rather than the centre For more on adapting looks to shorter nails, Laura's Top Tips for Short Nails has you covered. โธป What festival or event is this look perfect for? Festival nails were the inspiration (mine were for Seven Sisters Festival), but this look works beautifully for:- Festivals + outdoor music events- New Year's Eve- Birthday dinners- Anytime you want to feel a little bit witchy It's not just a "going out" look โ the deep violet base means it's surprisingly wearable day-to-day too. ย ย Written by Laura & BekFounders of LA-BEK, an Australian brand creating semi-cured gel nail wraps and UV-free gel nail wraps designed to make salon-quality nails simple, at home.
