The post Treat Your Nails to Gracie J’s Designs appeared first on PlayJunkie.
]]>We’re ready to step up our fashion game with the latest nail art trends. While a fresh, minimal manicure is always welcome, this summer is all about bold designs, neon colors, and eye-popping patterns.
by Gracie J 
(@theeditorialnail)“I derive inspiration from other places, from all kinds of artists, like jewelry designers,” said J in an interview with Coveteur. “But sometimes I just have an idea that pops in my head.” Such ideas include modern art-inspired nails, sculpted nails that incorporate jewelry, and even letter-shaped nails.
According to J, her passion is linked to her childhood, and more specifically her mother: “My mom is a very flashy person; she always had her nails done,” she noted. “If we’re going to a simple BBQ, she’ll wear a gypsy skirt and shirt with chains—she’s the flashy Haitian mom.”
Growing up in Haiti also meant attending a school that maintained a strict regime when it comes to your nails: “I also went to school in Haiti for a little while when I was younger, and they would line you up and check your hygiene, including your nails,” says J. “They would send you home if it wasn’t up to par.”
Currently based in New York City, J is the former Lead Nail Stylist for TNT’s critically-acclaimed television series CLAWS. And with over 90,000 followers on Instagram, she isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. If you’re looking to upgrade your fashion style, start here!
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]]>The post Juan Alvear’s Nail Art Is Utterly and Completly Over the Top appeared first on PlayJunkie.
]]>Drawing from his painting and sculpture background, Alvear began experimenting with nail art during his junior year at Cooper Union. “To be honest I don’t really separate the nails I make from the art I make,” he admitted in an interview with W Magazine. “They are all an extension of me and the nails function almost like a series in a larger body of work.”
or the 
?According to him, without his sculpture and painting background, the nails would look drastically different, and most probably, wouldn’t even exist. But luckily enough, his signature style came to be, attracting clients as huge as Rihanna and Erykah Badu, as well as rapper Rico Nasty and flamenco pop singer Rosalía.
Describing his style as eccentric, experimental, and optimistic, his creations can take up to 10 hours. “I can’t help but be attracted to shapes that look juicy,” says Alvear. “I can’t say there’s one place I look to for color inspiration but I know it when I see it. I don’t necessarily search for color schemes but rather remember them, take a photo of them, or bookmark them when I do come across one that I like IRL, or online.”
“I see a huge relationship formally between my paintings and my nails and they definitely inspire/inform one another,” he admits. “I see colors and textures and put them together to create something. I see both my nail sculptures and my paintings as ornaments of sorts: one exists to decorate the hand and the other for space.”
Take a look at some of his sculptural nail art:
@avie.acosta living their fullest @marcjacobs fantasy in (daisy inspired) pink bubble bulb #nailsbyjuan
#bts
jk u make your own destiny 
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]]>The post The Futuristic Nail Art of Eichi Matsunaga appeared first on PlayJunkie.
]]>Originally from Tokyo, where he studied everything he needed to know about the art of the nail, Matsunaga moved to New York City in hopes of accomplishing his nail art dreams. “It was my sister who really inspired me to become a nail artist,” he relayed in an interview with Dazed Magazine. “She was working at a nail salon when I graduated from high school and I used to help her prepare nail art samples for the salon at her apartment. Through this, I discovered that nails were my calling, and I enrolled in a nail art school soon after that.”
Jump forward a couple of years later, and he definitely got more than he bargained for, working for the top names in the industry, including brands like Swarovski and Rodarte and celebrities like Nicki Minaj, Mandy Moore, Lorde, and Mindy Kaling. His work has also been featured in campaigns and editorials for the likes of Vogue Japan, Opening Ceremony, and Dazed.
His work requires much effort and time, incorporating translucent details and custom made metal pieces. Matsunaga measures each client’s fingertips beforehand, proceeding to create pieces with a 3D printer, using a combination of artistic skill and traditional nail art techniques. This process alone can take up to three weeks. “My nails usually verge on the futuristic but I am still very interested in traditional methods and want to incorporate them,” he admits. “My philosophy is that detail is everything. There is a direct connection between my work and other cultural Japanese traditions in Japan, and the overarching theme is the careful attention to each stage of a process.” Take a closer look:
@erykahbadu
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]]>The post Leanne Woodley’s Nail Art Really Pops! appeared first on PlayJunkie.
]]>Her nail art has also caught the attention of Dazed and Confused Magazine. The British style magazine has recently interviewed Woodley, stating that her nail designs are nothing short of miniature works of art. “I’ve really only just come to terms with the idea that I am an artist,” Woodley admitted in the interview. “Growing up, I would draw a lot but didn’t consider myself an artist. Now that I have come to terms with it, each step of the process feels very emotional.”
“My dad took me to get my first manicure when I was seven years old,” she recalled. “I was really obsessed with nail polish and long nails after that, even though I was a nail biter.” Fast forward to 2013, and she was working as a stylist assistant when she met Bernadette Thompson. “After badgering her on set for hours, I went home to research her,” she says. “It hadn’t dawned on me how much influence she had in the things I loved growing up, not to mention how much money I could actually make doing nails.”
According to Woodley, “Seeing a black woman making her way in two industries, one being predominantly Asian and the other being predominantly white, and dominate blew my mind. It was a wrap after that.” Take a look at some of her mesmerizing nail art in the gallery below:
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]]>The post Mei Kawajiri’s Nail Art Is All About the Drama appeared first on PlayJunkie.
]]>Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Kawajiri has been doing nails for more than 15 years. After starting out as an aspiring tattoo artist, she opted for nail art after realizing permanent tattoos was too much of a commitment.
( I choose this pajama outfit from sooooo many beautiful dress , sexy high heels choice. Lol ) #relax #hotcurlerOnMyHair #NYcoffee #walkinwithZebraInTheMorning #ilovesleepAccording to Kawajiri, the biggest difference between Japanese and American nail art is that Japanese designs are “more abstract,” whereas her American clients “love to have a theme.” “Even 10 years ago, [Japan was] doing what we are doing in New York: big stones, crazy charms,” she explained in an interview with WWD. “Young girls save money for their nails instead of eating a lot of food. They wanna be skinny and they wanna have cool nail art.”
Her nail art is mostly extravagant and over the top, adding a playful edge to even the sternest of looks. “I love drama,” she admitted. And when it comes to her inspiration, she finds it in her day to day life. “As long as I don’t copy or I don’t watch other people’s Instagram, I’m good,” she said. “I don’t watch nail Instagrams at all. If you see [something] one time, you have the idea already on the inside of your head. I don’t wanna be like that. I wanna be always original and new.”
Her original nail art comes at a hefty price. Charging around $200 for a manicure, Kawajiri has become so in-demand that she only takes new clients if they come with a referral. But you can still enjoy her looks from afar, by following her on Instagram.
for @marcjacobs campaign 
#handpainted #handmade #nailsbymei
@sami_kitty #nailsbymei #handpainted
#nailsbymei #handpainted
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]]>The post These Nail Artists Don’t Shy Away from Making a Fashion Statement appeared first on PlayJunkie.
]]>Britney Tokyo
Born in Tokyo and based in LA, Britney Tokyo’s style is a colorful mixture of Japanese and American fashion. Constantly inspired by fashion, music, and art, her creations include glow-in-the-dark nails and Swarovski covered nails. So it makes sense that among her many clients are stars like Rita Ora and Ariana Grande.
link in my bio #tokyospice #nailart #nails #ネイルアート #ネイル #britneygelx
Miss Pop
New York City-based nail artist, Simcha Whitehill (aka Miss Pop) has worked with fashion magazines such as Elle and Marie Claire, as well as runways during New York Fashion Week. Her style is very much retro, inspired by bold colors and prints, and with a nod to the ’80s.
Eun Kyung Park
Seoul-based nail artist Eun Kyung Park has been quite the trendsetter when it comes to nail art, with both her shattered glass and 3D wire nails taking the internet by storm. “I would say my work of nails gives power to [the models]” she told MISSBISH. “It is important to make [the designs] perfect, but I also try to enjoy being in the moment.” Words to live by, when it comes to your nails.
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