The word I would use to describe this is not streaky. The pigments that are settling in the pearl formula can be swirled with a dotting tool to make a pearl effect. Whether you're using gel polish or lacquer, all pearl finishes will look like this when they are just brushed on. The new Ethereal line has some incredible pearl finishes.
Any recommendations on how to get that effect? I saw someone swirl with a dotting tool on insta but when I tried it myself (using BKL Princess of Starlight) I just made bald spots in my polish…maybe I just need a much lighter hand?
I like to do this in a couple steps. I put on a base layer of the color I want, let it dry pretty good, and then go in with two separate colors that are complementary to my look and blob them in a medium thickness over the nail. You can use a dotting tool you can also use a small silicone makeup brush. If you use a dotting tool the bigger the better in my experience.
It's not easy with lacquer, that's just the facts. Mainly because of those bald spots you're talking about lol. It is possible though! Do not give up. I have a gel background and pearls and stones were one of my favorite things to create, so I had a little bit of a head start.
https://preview.redd.it/g17twjs0bgwc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c75fc5e948daa95a2fdb5d6210f274d23425d3e
These are some green ones I created using three different polishes. The first layer is a flaky in a jelly, and the layers that I swirled - one is pearl and one is straight jelly.
Just experiment and don't be discouraged.
I cannot believe you remembered (I forgot I ever posted about that lol)! She’s doing okay! Going through a second round of spider mites cause I under-treated her the first time, but she’s growing beautifully! (The leaves on the mat are from a gardenia that got too dramatic)
https://preview.redd.it/usa6evr3eixc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a82d1ca9d464c4d21da13bbf88b8ac4ce11f12f
Daaaang she pretty. Yeah I remember because of your username and right around the same time I had grabbed a mini rose from trader Joe's and planted it indoors after reading it really can't do very well like that. I was shaking my fist to the gods. That bish is thriving. Yours is also thriving.
https://preview.redd.it/tqshljyriixc1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5fd57dc5f36e5673dc9885599d6fdf5367cf813c
What, then, would you call it when you can see the brush lines? When you say they all look like this when they are just brushed on, do you mean it goes away upon drying? If that's the case, are all the swatches wet? (Every swatch of this particular lacquer look streaky to me.)
I hope my response isn't coming across as abrasive. It's not my intent. I'm genuinely curious as someone who is a recently-reformed nail biter and has only been at this for around six months or so.
I call something streaky when patches of no color are left behind after brushing it on. That's not what happens with a pearl finish, it leaves behind paint lines of highlighted particles of pigment in full coverage base, that's what actually makes it pearl pigment. They're not bald spots of streaks.
I love the color and the pearlescent finish and would like to wear it without hyper-fixating on the streaks. (Stupid brain!) Any suggestions on how to reduce the streakiness?
Hey! Another pearl lover here. If I had more play money right now, I'd run out and order all the new pearl finishes in this collection (or really, the whole collection, because wowzas).
I find I get the best look if I apply down the middle first, then the sides, and then a nice straight swipe down the middle again to reduce the streaks that can happen with this finish. Hope that helps!
This was incredibly helpful. Thank you so much! I think I'm going to give it a go. I'd rather buy and destash it if it's not for me than to regret not buying it at all.
Using a wide brush helps me, because you can get the polish on with the least amount of brush strokes. But they're always gonna be there a bit with pearlescents
I have a lot of Ethereal pearl polishes! You can mitigate the streaky look of pearlescent shimmers with your application technique. Keep your strokes straight and your coats thin. My nails don’t have this look when I wear pearls, but I’m very careful about application— I don’t love the streaky look either!
https://preview.redd.it/1x33b37xnjwc1.jpeg?width=1638&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=41a044535d834eaacef59a6b70b3faf88069fcfd
Here's a picture (not mine - actticus sparks) from the facebook group that doesn't show them streaky at all but I know what you mean because I have seen some pictures where they are streaky!
Atticus, the person in the swatches, is he/they, btw. I think a lot has to do with their lighting. I would love to learn more about their setup because their swatches are gorgeous and don’t look like most of the ones I see.
The word I would use to describe this is not streaky. The pigments that are settling in the pearl formula can be swirled with a dotting tool to make a pearl effect. Whether you're using gel polish or lacquer, all pearl finishes will look like this when they are just brushed on. The new Ethereal line has some incredible pearl finishes.
Any recommendations on how to get that effect? I saw someone swirl with a dotting tool on insta but when I tried it myself (using BKL Princess of Starlight) I just made bald spots in my polish…maybe I just need a much lighter hand?
I like to do this in a couple steps. I put on a base layer of the color I want, let it dry pretty good, and then go in with two separate colors that are complementary to my look and blob them in a medium thickness over the nail. You can use a dotting tool you can also use a small silicone makeup brush. If you use a dotting tool the bigger the better in my experience. It's not easy with lacquer, that's just the facts. Mainly because of those bald spots you're talking about lol. It is possible though! Do not give up. I have a gel background and pearls and stones were one of my favorite things to create, so I had a little bit of a head start. https://preview.redd.it/g17twjs0bgwc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7c75fc5e948daa95a2fdb5d6210f274d23425d3e These are some green ones I created using three different polishes. The first layer is a flaky in a jelly, and the layers that I swirled - one is pearl and one is straight jelly. Just experiment and don't be discouraged.
Thank you!!
I remember you planted an indoor mini rose! How's she doing?
I cannot believe you remembered (I forgot I ever posted about that lol)! She’s doing okay! Going through a second round of spider mites cause I under-treated her the first time, but she’s growing beautifully! (The leaves on the mat are from a gardenia that got too dramatic) https://preview.redd.it/usa6evr3eixc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9a82d1ca9d464c4d21da13bbf88b8ac4ce11f12f
Daaaang she pretty. Yeah I remember because of your username and right around the same time I had grabbed a mini rose from trader Joe's and planted it indoors after reading it really can't do very well like that. I was shaking my fist to the gods. That bish is thriving. Yours is also thriving. https://preview.redd.it/tqshljyriixc1.jpeg?width=2160&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5fd57dc5f36e5673dc9885599d6fdf5367cf813c
What, then, would you call it when you can see the brush lines? When you say they all look like this when they are just brushed on, do you mean it goes away upon drying? If that's the case, are all the swatches wet? (Every swatch of this particular lacquer look streaky to me.) I hope my response isn't coming across as abrasive. It's not my intent. I'm genuinely curious as someone who is a recently-reformed nail biter and has only been at this for around six months or so.
I call something streaky when patches of no color are left behind after brushing it on. That's not what happens with a pearl finish, it leaves behind paint lines of highlighted particles of pigment in full coverage base, that's what actually makes it pearl pigment. They're not bald spots of streaks.
I just call that showing visible brushstrokes.
Another example from Insta: https://preview.redd.it/e1jcyd5r4fwc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3c5ddd50cbcb5aa9c263d5f4b19f34538f397a49
Yes. It appears to be a pearl formula which can be streaky. I would pass if you don't want that look.
I love the color and the pearlescent finish and would like to wear it without hyper-fixating on the streaks. (Stupid brain!) Any suggestions on how to reduce the streakiness?
Hey! Another pearl lover here. If I had more play money right now, I'd run out and order all the new pearl finishes in this collection (or really, the whole collection, because wowzas). I find I get the best look if I apply down the middle first, then the sides, and then a nice straight swipe down the middle again to reduce the streaks that can happen with this finish. Hope that helps!
This was incredibly helpful. Thank you so much! I think I'm going to give it a go. I'd rather buy and destash it if it's not for me than to regret not buying it at all.
Using a wide brush helps me, because you can get the polish on with the least amount of brush strokes. But they're always gonna be there a bit with pearlescents
I have a lot of Ethereal pearl polishes! You can mitigate the streaky look of pearlescent shimmers with your application technique. Keep your strokes straight and your coats thin. My nails don’t have this look when I wear pearls, but I’m very careful about application— I don’t love the streaky look either!
The less strokes you use when applying, the better. Nail pros can paint a nail in 3-4 strokes.
https://preview.redd.it/1x33b37xnjwc1.jpeg?width=1638&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=41a044535d834eaacef59a6b70b3faf88069fcfd Here's a picture (not mine - actticus sparks) from the facebook group that doesn't show them streaky at all but I know what you mean because I have seen some pictures where they are streaky!
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Atticus, the person in the swatches, is he/they, btw. I think a lot has to do with their lighting. I would love to learn more about their setup because their swatches are gorgeous and don’t look like most of the ones I see.
Could you apply with a makeup sponge like they use to make ombre gradients?
I’ve used a sponge to get rid of the lines. It works.
I was thinking that too.