Smoke nail art is eye-catching, the color drifting like a wisp of fog across your fingertips. The look seems intricate, yet it’s surprisingly simple to create. Tools like blooming gel or wave gel let you shape smoky swirls quickly, and they make every design unique. And where there’s smoke, there’s fire! Smoke nails turn an everyday manicure into something distinct and expressive for a little extra drama that’s all your own.
Smoke Nail Art
Sleek Smoky Nails
Once upon a time, artists had to do smoke nails the hard way. They would ever so carefully dab on the polish and thin out the color by hand, feathering and teasing it into smoke-like wisps. Nail lacquer was challenging to use as it was a race against the clock while it air dried. Gel was easier because if the tech didn't like the design, they could wipe it off and start over. Even so, smoke nails usually involved some version of blending the color with top coat to achieve the ideal consistency.
That last part is still true, in a way. Our favorite new technique for smoke nail art still requires a wet gel top coat. But now there's no need to get caught up in the rest of the details. Not when you can watch the magic happen all by itself. LAVIS Wave Gel creates dreamy swirls of color in seconds. Keep reading to find out how.
Here's an example of smoke nails created with LAVIS Wave Gel color 1, which is white. The artist added extra depth with black liner gel and gold chrome. The smoky swirls could be exotic incense burning at a luxury spa.
LAVIS Wave Gel 01 - 0.5 oz
How to Get the Smoke Nail Look with Wave Gel
What is Wave Gel? It's a special type of blooming gel that disperses pigment. It breaks up the color and scatters it somewhat randomly in waves and whorls. It's an essential tool for fluid art that effortlessly makes marbled and layered effects in moments.
Wave Gel comes in ten colors like white, black, pink, and blue. It doesn’t require any special equipment to use beyond what you need for a gel manicure. Follow the steps below to achieve smoky nails with Wave Gel.
How to use Lavis Wave Gel:
1. Prep the nails as usual.
2. Apply the gel base and cure.
3. Brush on any gel color you prefer and cure or leave the nail color natural.
4. Apply a thin layer of gel top coat but do not cure. It's best to work on one nail at a time.
5. Using the brush in the Wave Gel bottle or any other applicator, draw the smoke lines on the wet top coat with Wave Gel and watch as the pigment begins to spread out. It’s mesmerizing how it blooms so naturally. But also feel free to direct the flow! (Remember to clean the brush before dipping it back in the bottle).
6. As soon as you like how it looks, cure it to preserve the pattern.
7. Apply the top coat and cure or continue to add other effects.
Smoke Nail Technique is Perfect for Marbled Nails
As you can imagine, the smoke nails technique is perfect for creating a marbled look, too. Tools like blooming gel and wave gel simplify drawing wispy veins in the stone. These nail art gels are also excellent for beach scenes, water nails, and abstract looks that steal the spotlight.
LDS 3 in 1 - 009 Smoke Blue - Dip (1.5oz), Gel & Lacquer Matching
LAVIS Blooming Gel
How to Use Blooming Gel for Smoke Designs
Besides LAVIS Wave Gel, there's another nail art product that streamlines smoke nail art. It's LAVIS Blooming Gel that comes in just one color – clear. Again, no special equipment is needed beyond what you would use for a gel manicure. Let's look at how to customize smoke nails with blooming gel.
How to use Blooming Gel:
1. Prepare the nails for a gel manicure.
2. Brush on and cure the base coat.
3. Apply a color coat if desired and cure it. Now it's best to work on a single nail at a time.
4. Brush on blooming gel but do not cure. Instead, leave it wet and continue to the next step.
5. Choose any gel color and use a brush or applicator tool to dab or draw with it on top of the wet blooming gel. The pigment will begin to spread out. Once it reaches the desired look, cure the nail. (Remember to clean off the brush before dipping it back into the polish).
6. Seal the design with top coat and cure.
Cat Eye Gel + Smoke Nails = Cosmic Energy Waves
Take smoke nail art to a new level with cat eye gel and a magnet. Use your new nail art tools to experiment and explore the furthest reaches of the galaxy of creativity. Here, the artist has expanded the already impressive visual depth by adding texture with builder gel. It’s 3D smoke nails with cat eye shimmer!
LAVIS Cat Eyes CE16 - 08 - Gel Polish 0.5 oz - Double Vision Collection
Magnet
Sheer Smoke Nails
What about nude smoke nails? Sheer nails have been trending so let’s take advantage and have fun! This look starts with a skin-flattering shade from the Morning Dewdrop cat eye collection. Then it adds a misty effect with Wave Gel. Subtle colors, but major drama in moments.
LAVIS Cat Eyes C09 - Morning Dewdrop Collection
3 Ways to Master Wave Gel for Smoke Nail Effects
Did you know what Wave Gel's secret is? It's amazingly customizable. Here's how to create different smoke effects with it:
The first method is to use the flat of the brush for wide strokes and waves. This adds a lot of color at once.
Or the second way is to gently use just the brush tip for precise tendrils of smoke.
And the third trick is to use only the tip but press harder for a wider, but still controlled, flow.
LAVIS Wave Gel
Every Smoky Look is One of a Kind
When you blow out a candle or light a stick of incense, the smoke swirls in unique ways. And when you create smoke nails, every fingertip ends up with an exclusive design.
LAVIS Gel Polish Base Top Coat
Conclusion
Now it’s your turn to make smoke nails. Get the trendiest colors and most-longed for nail art supplies in our store. We have rewards for repeat shoppers and free shipping, too.