Make-up just got extended to the nails too! Nail art is the latest in thing in the fashion world, and is taking it by storm. 'Nail art' refers to the art of decorating the nails of a person using the various kinds of materials available in the market for the same. Today, technology has made it possible for one to flaunt the designs of one's choice on his or her nails. Nails are now not only layers of keratin, but have evolved into the ultimate means to express one's creativity. This article studies all about nail art from the process of its evolution to the various kinds that are in vogue today.

Previously, a manicure or pedicure, coats of nail polish and/or henna were all one could do with your nails. However, that is not the case now. In today's times, the art that one can flaunt on your nails is limited only by one's imagination. In other words, nails have become a vast canvas, on which one can express one's creativity in whatever way appeals, out of the wide range of options available. People are now trying to match their nails to the colours of the season or the colours of their dress. Nail art today is all the rage everywhere, and is the must-do for all kinds of places - schools and colleges, offices, weddings, parties, or just for at an outing with friends.

Modern nail art is believed to have its origin in Japan. Nail artists known all over the world, like Eriko Kurosaki, Junco Ogava and Michiko Matshushita, are Japanese. In ancient India, nail art in the form of designs with henna were very popular. Some Indian tribes were also very famous for their unique nail decorations.

Nail art has become very popular the world over in the last decade or so. Be it on the toes of one's hands or one's feet, nail art has emerged as a fashion statement. Simple nail art can be made at one's home. There are several nail art studios that have come up all over the world, which one can visit for more elaborate and professional designs.

Commonly, nail art is understood to be painting the nails. However, in fact, nail art encompasses a wide range of alternatives, as under:

1)       Painting on the nails:

Traditionally, painting the nails referred to a simple coat of nail polish. However, today, there is a large variety of designs that can be painted on the nails of a person. These designs can range from flowery and geometrical ones to highly creative, funky ones.

The process of painting the nails is an elaborate one, and gives the best results when performed by a skilled nail artist. First of all, the nails are cleaned and the dead skin and cuticles around the nails are removed. Thereafter, a base coat of paint is applied on them, usually of white colour, so as to ensure that the design shows up prettily. In some cases, if a natural look is desired, no base coat is applied. A coat of activation polish is applied on top of this, which ensures that the design dries quickly. Finally, the required design is painted on the nail. Bright colours like silver, gold, red, blue, green, and black are preferred over lighter colours.

Digital nail painting is the latest innovation in the area of nail art. It has made it possible for any kind of picture that the client wishes to be reproduced exactly on the nails. Under this process, the design is scanned into a computer. After the activation coat is applied on the nails, the client is required to put his or her hands into the machine, the design gets printed on the client's nails in the exact reproduction of the original.

The application of a clear coat of varnish over the design ensures that it lasts for a considerable period of time.