Trendy decor for Yuki nails - your couture manicure. Trendy nail design with yuca flakes. Photo and video tutorials Nail design with mirror flakes

07.02.2017

Yuki flakes or Chameleon flakes are the main trend in the nail industry at the beginning of 2017. “Yuki” is translated from Japanese as “snow,” and this name best conveys the essence of this material for nail art - it looks like large flakes of snow, fragile and weightless. These are the thinnest plates of pigment of different shapes and sizes, which can be carefully placed on the nail without spoiling their shape, or can be rubbed into dust with a slight movement. And this is precisely the main charm of this material - there are a lot of options for applying it, and they will all look completely different. There is only one jar, as many designs as your imagination allows! Well, we won’t even describe all the beauty of this material, it’s better to see it once: Many compare Yuki flakes to the thinnest foil or mica, but in essence it is just a pigment, pressed in the form of scales. This pigment is similar to the “northern lights” - metallized fine dust with a pronounced chameleon effect, changing color depending on the angle of inclination and lighting. That’s why it’s better to appreciate all the beauty of Yuki’s cereal designs live and in motion; it can’t be conveyed in a photo.
The main difference from other pigments is the huge number of application methods, and they will all give completely different results. Yuca flakes can be rubbed in, patted on, or lightly sprayed. The texture of the design depends on the method of application. Let's talk about the main ones.

What should I apply it to?
Like any similar pigment, flakes are applied to gel polish. Their big advantage is their ease of use and compatibility with almost any materials; Yuki flakes are very unpretentious. Unlike pigments such as Northern Lights and Maybug, Yuki flakes do not have to be applied directly to the top without a sticky layer. You can use a top with residual stickiness. You don't even have to remove the dispersion layer. Moreover, you can use any colored gel polish as a base, and use the top coat at the final stage to cover the design. All this significantly saves both materials and time spent on design, and, importantly, reduces the thickness of the coating. And, of course, it saves you money - if you don’t have a top without a sticky layer, you don’t have to buy it additionally.

So, Yuki flakes can be applied to:
- top without a sticky layer (just like northern lights, chrome, etc.)
- top with residual stickiness, after removing the dispersion layer
- top coat with residual stickiness, directly onto the dispersion layer without removing it
- colored gel polishes with residual stickiness without removing the stickiness
- colored base gel polishes (for example, black or white masura base, which are created specifically for design substrates), without removing the stickiness.
The color of the base coat can be any, but according to most, the design with Yuki pigment looks most advantageous on black. The pigment itself has a very rich color and a pronounced chameleon effect, so it is quite self-sufficient and a colored base may simply be too much. On the other hand, by choosing the shade of the base coat to match the flakes, you can emphasize their color and give it greater depth.

How to apply?
As we have said many times, there are a great many ways to apply Yuki flakes, let’s look at them point by point:
1. Marble effect with large gaps. This is one of the most luxurious and popular options. The base is top or gel polish with a sticky layer. We do not remove residual stickiness. Place the flakes directly on it, point by point, selecting the desired size and shape. You can grab flakes from a jar with a silicone brush or a wax pencil for rhinestones. This design can be done either for the entire nail or just for part of it. Play with the spacing and size of the scales to add variety to your design.


		© l_koksharova

2. The second method gives a design similar to the previous option, but differs in execution technique. A gel polish or top coat with a sticky layer that cannot be removed is also used as a base. Everything else is done almost exactly the same way, but not with a silicone brush, but with your finger. Not just a spot, but on the entire nail or part of the nail. The most important thing in this method is not to tear or grind the fragile flakes. Gently touch the pigment in the jar with your finger (the flakes are very volatile!) and in one clear movement “slam” the finger with the pigment onto the sticky layer. We press, but don’t overdo it. It is important not to pull to the side or rub as this will destroy the flakes. This method is faster than spot application - there is no need to select flakes of the desired size and shape. And, of course, you can always use it if you do not have the suitable tools described in other paragraphs. The disadvantage of this method compared to the previous one is that it is less filigree, you do not have as much control over the final design.

3. Spraying with a brush. You can use a soft fluffy makeup brush (for eyeshadow) or a fan brush. And even here there are 2 methods of application. You can pick up just a little pigment on a brush and apply the flakes, just a little bit of powder on the nail, with a very light movement. The design will be similar to the previous paragraphs. In another option for applying with a brush, you can apply the flakes tightly covering the entire surface of the nail. In this case, the pigment is “stuffed” with the brush. In this case, many particles will collapse into smaller ones, and the design will turn out to be textured. In both cases, we use top coat or gel polish with a sticky layer as a base.

4. Rubbing. This method is familiar to all nail artists who work with pigments such as Northern Lights, holography or chrome. Using a finger, an eyeshadow applicator or a silicone brush, the pigment is rubbed into the surface of the nail. The flakes are very fragile and quickly grind into dust. Depending on the intensity of rubbing, you can achieve a different effect - from textured to smooth surface. The effect in this case will be similar to the northern lights pigment. This option uses a top coat only without a sticky layer.

What to secure with?
Designs with Yuki flakes are set in the same way as designs with any other pigments, such as holographic or northern lights. You can use the top with or without a sticky layer. A reliable method for fixing pigments is described in the article “How to fix pigment correctly?” Under the top, the flakes do not change color or become cloudy.

Chameleon flakes under matte top.
It’s ironic that such a bright and iridescent design like Yuki flakes looks simply magical under a matte top. This option is more discreet, but that’s the beauty of it, it looks mysterious and stylish. In our store you can find more than 10 matte tops for gel polish, from velvety to satin, the design will be different under different tops.

Yuki flakes gradient
Yuki's flake gradient looks incredibly impressive. Imagine using several colors, each of which is a chameleon. That is, by creating a gradient with two colors, you will get not just a two-color coating, but a whole rainbow of tints in 4-5 shades. Moreover, no one limits you to two colors, all shades of the flakes combine well with each other and you can use 3, 4, 5 colors at once, stretching the gradient through all 10 nails.

There are several techniques for creating a gradient, as well as ways to apply the pigment itself. We will describe them in the order of numbering the application methods from the first part of the article. The easiest one is application method number 1. Application is exactly the same as on the entire nail - dotted. You paint half of the nail with one color, reducing the color to nothing in the middle - picking up smaller particles and placing them less frequently. And on the second half of the nail you place particles of a different color from another jar, smoothly transferring them to the first color.
Using method number 2, with your finger, it will be more difficult to make a gradient, since, naturally, in this case you cannot clearly aim and place specific scales in the right places, but you can press different colors from different jars onto different parts of the nail (top-bottom , right-left) and it will be no less impressive, although it will be more of a placement of spots than a gradient. To ensure that the border of these spots is not too clear and that it is not really a stain, you do not need to take too much pigment on your finger.
Using application method number 3, making a gradient is quite simple; by analogy with the first method, cover half of the nail with a pigment of one color, gradually reducing its saturation, then the second half with a different color.

Mix it up!
As mentioned above, the pigments combine well with each other in color. Thanks to this, many of them can be mixed to obtain an interesting effect. It is not necessary to mix a large volume at once; you can mix a small amount of flakes in a lid and immediately use it for design. Experiment!

Yuca flakes – multi-faceted design. There are a huge number of options for applying pigment; here you can experiment endlessly and follow the flight of your imagination. The pigment is easily rubbed into the nails, forming an unusual mirror surface. Or weightless flakes can be beautifully placed on the nail, creating entire works of art on the fingers.

Difference from others

Many may have noticed the similarity of the scales to foil or mica for manicure. Small particles look like metallized fine and compressed dust. Yuca flakes look luxurious in the photo, but all the beauty of the real iridescence can only be observed live, looking at every detail of the manicure. The effect is best seen in natural light during the day.

The pigment is quite practical to use. If foil is used only to achieve a mirror-like surface of the nail, then several design options can be created from chameleon flakes. And each of them will be unique.

Where to buy

The pigment is only gaining its popularity. You can buy yuca flakes in the nail department, where you can find polishes, tools and materials for manicure. If you couldn’t find a jar with magic scales in your cosmetic store, you can order it in a themed online store.

The pigment is available from the following manufacturers:

NailTes.

TNL's yuca flakes come in the following shades:

rose quartz;
cosmic amethyst;
volcanic Visuvian;
mysterious fluriite;
elegant jade;
sensual peridot;
incredible bismuth;
Burmese tourmaline;
mysterious lapis lazuli;
Ural jasper;
fire opal;
bold malachite;
shimmering titanite;
cold emerald.

What to apply on

This design requires a coating with residual tack, the stronger it is, the more tightly the flakes will stick. Suitable surfaces:

base, color coating, top with slight residual stickiness;
top with a sticky layer;
top without a sticky layer (do not remove the dispersion layer).

You can choose absolutely any color as a substrate. A classic favorite of girls is black gel polish. Beautifully iridescent particles also look good on a white surface and dark shades (burgundy, purple, blue, dark green, brown).

4 application methods

Not many people know how to apply yuca flakes. They are a self-sufficient design element in themselves. But there are several options for creating a beautiful coating. In order to make a manicure using them, you need the usual available tools.

Method 1

A shiny, mirror-like surface can be achieved by using yuca flakes as a rub. Compared to conventional pigment, this is not the most economical option, since flakes fall off in large quantities.

Completely prepare the nail for work: shape it, degrease the nail plate and apply a base.
Cover your fingers with one layer of colored varnish.
Rub the scales tightly, like pigment. Using your finger or an eyeshadow applicator, gently press into the sticky layer. Then the flakes lie evenly, completely cover the nail, and a glossy shine appears.
Carefully buff the end with a nail file and use an acid-free primer a little along the free edge to increase adhesion.
Cover with 2 layers of setting top.

Advice: For problematic nails (thin and flaky) it is necessary to strengthen them before designing. Either cover your nails with acrylic or use a base to level them. This will increase the adhesion of the design to the artificial turf.

Method 2

Application technique:

Prepare your nails for work: sand, process and apply a base coat.
Apply one layer of colored gel polish.
Transfer yuca flakes to your fingers using any method.
Cover the design with a matte top.

Gradient

Incredibly spectacular manicure with yuca flakes has a unique shimmer. What if you use several colors at once? After all, this is several times more than chameleons!

Application method:

Before starting, treat your nails and cover them with base.
Apply 1-2 layers of colored gel polish.
Apply yuca flakes from 1 jar to one half of the plate in any way (for example, changing from purple to pink).
Carefully place light scales from 2 jars on the second part (for example, overflowing from gold to green).
Using a brush, sponge or finger, carefully rub the pigment onto the nail, achieving a mirror-like surface.
Gently blend the colors together to create a medium intermediate shade.
As a final coat, apply a topcoat to secure the design.

Patterns

It is not necessary to transfer all the yuca flakes to your entire hand at once. Several fingers can be decorated with elegant patterns.

Prepare your nails for work and cover them with base.
Apply black polish to 4 nails, and cover the ring finger with a beige tone (or any other).
Apply multi-colored scales with a brush to a sticky layer of dark gel polish, lightly smoothing them.
Use a buff to lightly walk along the end so that no particles of flakes remain on it.
Cover the surface with two layers of topcoat and dry in a lamp.
Sand the ring beige nail with a file and remove the gloss so that flakes do not cling to it when creating the design.
Use black gel paint without a sticky layer to draw any pattern on the nail.
Gently rub the flakes in with a sponge.
Brush off excess with a fan brush.
Wipe the surface with a lint-free cloth. It will help remove excess pigment so that it does not reach for the top brush later.
Cover the manicure with two layers of top coat and remove the sticky layer.

The gradient can be absolutely anything: vertical, horizontal or diagonal. Also, a solid color can be smoothly stretched into a mirror-like surface created with yuca flakes.

Original options

The unusual shimmer of yuca flakes can be an excellent base for creating a cosmic manicure. The only thing left to do is to create your own Universe. You need to draw multi-colored stars using a thin brush. The pigment is a great option for creating a winter manicure. They will be luxuriously combined with a long festive dress on New Year's Eve. Examples of designs with yuca flakes can be seen in the photo.

Yuki flakes or Chameleon flakes are the main trend in the nail industry in 2017. “Yuki” is translated from Japanese as “snow,” and this name best conveys the essence of this material for nail art - it looks like large flakes of snow, fragile and weightless. These are the thinnest plates of pigment of different shapes and sizes, which can be carefully placed on the nail without spoiling their shape, or can be rubbed into dust with a slight movement. And this is precisely the main charm of this material - there are a lot of options for applying it, and they will all look completely different.

Yuki flakes can not just be applied to the entire surface of the nail, although it is very beautiful. You can apply decor to part of the nail, make a gradient, cover it with a matte top, which is also very unusual, and also draw on the surface, creating a pattern on it. You can combine the first and second application methods, creating original compositions. Yuki can be added to the top when creating a voluminous design - they will shimmer in the sun just incredibly beautifully! You can design with the flakes using stencils or do it freehand.

Translated from Japanese, "yuki" means snow. However, the new product is so named not because of its color, but because of its texture and optical similarity. It is proposed to decorate our fingers with a special weightless, thin mica with the characteristics of a chameleon pigment, shaped like snow flakes. Designs with galactic decor on any tinted surface look just as bewitchingly beautiful as the sun’s rays shimmering in the sharp edges of water crystals.

So, Yuki flakes can be applied to:
– top without a sticky layer (just like northern lights, chrome, etc.)
– top with residual stickiness, having previously removed the dispersion layer
– top coat with residual stickiness, directly onto the dispersion layer without removing it
– colored gel polishes with residual stickiness without removing the stickiness
– colored base gel polishes (for example, black or white masura base, which are created specifically for design substrates), without removing the stickiness.
The color of the base coat can be any, but according to most, the design with Yuki pigment looks most advantageous on black. The pigment itself has a very rich color and a pronounced chameleon effect, so it is quite self-sufficient and a colored base may simply be too much. On the other hand, by choosing the shade of the base coat to match the flakes, you can emphasize their color and give it greater depth.

Manicure is a completely independent fashion industry, which has its own laws and trends. The leap this industry has made in recent years is incredible: modern is so amazing that each one is akin to a small masterpiece. Yuki flakes are a new trend that is gaining popularity everywhere.

Yuki flakes - a new trend

Sensational manicure is gaining more and more fans every day. This is the name given to a type of pigment in the form of metallized flakes that is used for design. The beautiful name comes from the Japanese “yuki”, which means such a beautiful natural phenomenon as snow. Enchantingly shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow, these weightless mica crystals resemble snowflakes - they twinkle so beautifully.

The “pollen” is placed in a small but reliable jar with a tightly closing lid. The wide mouth makes it easy to grab crystals. Unlike the usual rub, Yuki nail flakes are three-color particles with a bright holographic effect that changes tone depending on the tilt and lighting. In manicure, these “chameleons” of various sizes and shapes are placed on the nail in different ways:

without breaking the shape;
ground into powder;
when applied with a slapping motion.

Manicure with Yuki flakes

The described Yuki rubbing is applied to gel, acrylic and varnish. Nail designers favor the flakes for their ease of use and stunningly incredible look. The most advantageous background for pigment is a dark one, although many artists experiment with a light base. Yuki flakes look more impressive on long nails, but a short length is not a taboo for using a spectacular coating.

For those who do not have experience in applying Yuki mica, experienced manicurists recommend taking into account the following subtleties of work:

If a gel is coated with pigment, the latter is freed from the sticky layer so that the colorful flakes lay down beautifully.
Regular varnish is first coated with several layers of topcoat and dried.
When working with acrylic they work extremely quickly.
The flakes are applied with fingertips, an applicator or a fan brush. Mica is gently spread over the surface of the nail with slapping or polishing movements, keeping the direction from the core to the edges.
You shouldn’t limit yourself to just one Yuki color; a combination of several shades looks amazing.
The nail design is secured with two layers of topcoat, and each one is dried.

French with Yuki flakes

The standard of elegant manicure has undergone many changes in recent years. The combination with this new trend significantly transforms the French style, making it extremely expressive and bright. If your workdays are spent in an office environment, and the temptation to sparkle is great, you can decorate just one or two fingernails. Moreover, they do not cover the free edge of the nail, but the entire nail plate. If you are not conditioned, give in to the temptation to decorate yourself with an iridescent highlight by applying the rub to all your nails. If you have enough experience, then the flakes can only cover the “smile” of the Frenchman.

"Northern Lights" with Yuki flakes

Incredibly beautiful on nails, girls fell in love with it for its resemblance to the starry sky, decorated with radiance. Yuki's nail flakes are perfect for imitating the night sky, as their indescribable reflections are truly reminiscent of a rare natural phenomenon. For the background, use varnish in shades similar to the color of the night sky - dark blue, purple. And to create the effect, they use a mixture of yellow, golden, bright blue, and lilac tones. Since our “sky” is starry, decorate your nails with rhinestones or large sparkles.

Manicure with kamifubiki and Yuki flakes

Modern trends involve actively combining various techniques to create an interesting manicure; this fully applies to kamifubuki. This is the name given to small multi-colored confetti of a traditional round shape. The intricate name comes from Japanese, which translates to “paper storm.” And rightfully so: the colorful round spots are incredibly cute.

Nail designs with Yuki flakes transform nail art into an indescribable extravaganza of colors. Moreover, both mentioned techniques get along well with each other. To avoid overkill and gypsyism, the thumb and index finger are left with a top, the middle and ring fingers are decorated with kamifubuki in any order, the little finger is decorated with “mica”. It is important that the two types of decor combine colors with each other, forming a unity of style.

Gradient with Yuki flakes

The colorful pigment is also used in another current trend - gradient nail art, or. It is distinguished by the gradual flow of one color into another. Rubbing in Yuki flakes makes the gradient spectacular, especially if several shades are used, which in tandem form a mesmerizing iridescence. The technique of applying ombre is simple and only requires concentration:

At the lunula, the pigment is filled with a brush in maximum concentration.
The middle of the nail is covered with thinning.
Only a few elements are carefully secured to the free edge of the nail.

Matte nails with Yuki flakes

Contrast is always expressive and sometimes has a stunning effect. Moreover, this applies not only to clothes and accessories, but also to nail art. The confrontation between matte tone and holographic shine results in an exquisite manicure that easily wins the hearts of girls who are partial to vintage elegance and restraint. Yuki's matte manicure is created simply: a rub is applied to the top of the matte texture, and it does not cover the entire surface of the nail, but partially.

Marble manicure with Yuki flakes

The technique in which the pigment gives the nails a resemblance to a noble rock is one of the most popular options, which are so loved by ladies for their striking appearance. Nails with a recognizable pattern really look chic and noble. The technique of applying a marble-like coating, which uses Yuki rubbing, includes several sequential steps:

After applying the top coat with a sticky layer, use your finger or a silicone brush to pick up a small amount of mica and place it on the nail.
The pigment particles must be of different sizes and at different distances from each other. This uneven distribution creates a recognizable marble effect.
You need to press down the “pollen” with the tip of your finger or a sponge, after which the pattern is dried under a lamp.
Finish the job by applying a top coat.

Although Yuki's nail rub is already extremely expressive, it can be interestingly played up using the rest of your nail art arsenal. A mixture of styles, a non-trivial mix of techniques and means allows you to interestingly present even the most classic manicure, saturate it, turning it into a miniature masterpiece. Originally decorated nails are a great accent, a bright point in any look.

You can use the brightest ideas in your own creativity:

After applying the top coat of varnish, the surface of the nail is pasted over in several places with semicircular stencils for a jacket. Free areas are treated with pigment. After removing the stencils, a beautiful pattern is formed.
A special base with a spreading effect creates interesting stains on nails with rubbing.
Having decorated the entire surface of the nails with pigment over dark gel polish, it is better to apply beige gel polish to the ring nail. After drying the two layers and the topcoat, the stem is drawn in black, which is then decorated with rubbing.

Original design with Yuki flakes

Manicure ideas are often interrelated: once you fall in love with one design, new trends immediately begin to emerge based on it. This happened with everyone’s favorite rub. It itself has not changed and continues to please fans with its exceptional brilliance and brightness. But the yuca flakes created on its basis are ready to capture the imagination of lovers of chameleon radiance. The trend is gaining momentum, so we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the options for how to apply yuca flakes and start experimenting now in search of the perfect nail art.

Yuca flakes: exploring a new product in the manicure world

“Yuki Flakes” is a holographic Japanese “snow” that captivated fans of glittery manicure designs almost instantly. As nail art, yuki flakes appeared at the end of 2016, but in just three or four months they proved that they can deservedly be called a real fashion trend.

Yuca flakes for nails are thin plates of multi-colored pigment that easily crumble into shiny dust. It can be used in different ways: from forming a specific pattern on the nails to creating an unusual iridescent rub and a spectacular gradient. Today, yuca flakes offer designs in four standard options, but based on already invented techniques, it is easy to realize the brightest and most daring manicure fantasies. And rest assured, the created nail art will suit any urban look - lovers will especially appreciate it!

To create a nail design worthy of spectacular yuca flakes, it is better to use gel polishes. The presence of a sticky layer will provide a better result both in terms of aesthetics and durability. But, if you have a habit of applying regular varnishes to your nails, you shouldn’t be upset - using yuca flakes in this case is also possible, and it won’t harm the quality. The main thing is not to forget about the final fixing coating, and everything will be fine.

Applying yuca flakes - photos with techniques can be found on the Internet, but in fact it is not difficult - you can use a variety of means:

fingers – to obtain “flakes” and “rubbed” designs;
sponge - to create an uneven but shiny coating;
with a pencil for applying rhinestones - for zoned decoration;
with a brush - the design will be determined by imagination.

Any tool will allow you to create a yuca flakes manicure worthy of even the most picky lady. But when working with “Japanese snow” on your own, it is worth remembering that the flakes fly apart even at the slightest breath, so you need to work with them very, very carefully. The consolation can be the realization that in any case the resulting design will be unusual, beautiful and eye-catching.

So how do you apply yuca flakes? There are several options:

on top without a sticky layer or with residual stickiness, leaving or first removing the dispersion layer;
for colored gel polish – on a surface with residual stickiness or after covering the nails with a finishing layer with stickiness;
onto the final coat without a sticky layer.

The videos offered on yuki flakes will help you understand the technique in more detail, but, to be honest, the methods for all types of application are not complicated.

If you delve into the designs, then the masters advise trying to use yuca flakes according to the following schemes:

To achieve a marble effect. Apply yuca flakes to a white or black base surface with a sticky layer using a brush or wax pencil. Important: do not damage the structure of the pigment plate so that it forms a beautiful holographic pattern on the nail. The size of the scales and their shape will allow you to set the theme of the design and its mood.
Smeared marble design. The idea is the same, but you apply the yuca flakes with your finger. This technique slightly “breaks” the plates, allowing you to create complex marble manicure patterns.
Pigment spraying. This technique requires a soft brush, with which you can create a neat iridescent design on your nails. If you use yuca flakes in blue tones, you can easily and quickly get another trendy nail art on your nails - galactic.
Rubbing. You can also use yuca flakes as a regular rub to create a very unusual effect. Thanks to the chameleon color, yuca flakes will create a spectacular multi-color coating, reminiscent of the transitions of the northern lights.

Also, using different shades of yuca flakes, you can create gradient transitions, paint elements of patterns applied to nails with holographic glitter, and diversify nail art with stamping and sliders.

Yuca flakes are an ideal nail decor option that will easily bring to life the brightest and most stylish manicure trends and will make you look fashionable and stylish in any situation.

Video on how to apply yuca flakes: