Leopard is a bright print that gives the image a little predatory, sexy and charm. It has long ceased to decorate only clothes, but gradually moved to numerous details: shoes, accessories and nails. So noticeable and beautiful, many people find it too difficult to perform on their own. If you figure out how to do a leopard manicure yourself, then everything will turn out to be much simpler than it initially seemed.
Basic tools for creating a manicure
Before you start painting the much-coveted leopard spots on your nails, you need to prepare in advance all the necessary tools that will be needed in the process.
Lucky
The first is a set of varnishes. You need to immediately decide which color will become the base, and which color the spots themselves will be. Making leopard print nails that are closer to the classics by choosing brown tones, or choosing contrasting tones is a matter of personal preference. A white base looks good - absolutely all colors go with it, and the spots do not have to be the same color: it will be original if you make them different and bright. Besides them, a leopard is unthinkable without black varnish.
Thin brush, needle, toothpick or special manicure pen
A large set is available to choose from, depending on what is more convenient to work with. All of them are required for one purpose - to draw spots and frame them in black. In this regard, a manicure pen is one of the most convenient tools; you can buy it in any specialized place, but even with improvised means, leopard nails will turn out no worse.
Animal print - step by step instructions
Making a leopard print manicure at home is easy. A little free time, desire and accuracy - and soon bright animal spots will appear on your nails. 
If you didn’t succeed in making a beautiful leopard the first time, don’t despair! Constant training and careful execution will soon help make your manicure indistinguishable from a professional one. And if someone asks the question of how to do a leopard manicure without resorting to outside help, you can safely say - on your own!
At first glance, a leopard print manicure seems like an insurmountable task for those who are used to taking care of their nails on their own. But it turns out that creating such a design does not require any special skills. All you need is extreme accuracy and enough time.
Leopard print nails will be a great addition to the “predator” look. This trend is especially popular in manicure design, which is why this type of service is often offered in modern beauty salons. After reading this article, you will not necessarily need to turn to strangers for help, because you can try to make yourself an original leopard manicure on your own.
It is worth noting that the leopard nail design will be appropriate not only on long nails. It is possible to experiment with color combinations by choosing unusual shades found in nature. Don't be afraid to add some creativity to your print design. The frequency of the pattern can be adjusted, it is not necessary to cover the entire plate with the pattern, you can do a French leopard manicure.
As you can see, there are a lot of options; you have the power to make the design of your nails quite unique and individual, even if they are extended. If you have things with leopard print in your wardrobe, it is better to do a manicure in the corresponding color scheme. This way you will be able to create a harmonious image. (Photo)
Leopard on nails - photos, how to do it
Before you paint leopard spots on your nails, you should decide on the method to use. There are three of them, with their own advantages and disadvantages. For example, decor created using stamping (photos of leopard nail designs will be presented below) benefit from the fact that you don’t need to spend a lot of time on it, and no special skills are required for this. It is important to take into account that the pattern can only be made in one color; stamps are selected individually.
You can also make drawings with a brush; in this case, you can use several colors (2, 3). With a little practice, you will learn how to create complex designs, and the patterns will become clearer and more recognizable each time. An even easier way to create a leopard nail design is to use special stickers. This method of decoration cannot boast of durability. You will be able to perform a beautiful manicure with leopard print with minimal time losses after a few training sessions. Having gained experience, you will be able to cope with this task within 15-20 minutes.
Leopard print on nails using a brush
Tools you will need:
- varnish base;
- colored varnish as the main one;
- additional coverage;
- finish (fixer).
Before applying the leopard print, the nail plates need to be properly prepared. For these purposes, the cuticle is removed, each plate is given the desired shape, and they are perfectly polished. If you want a leopard print manicure like in the photo, you must make the surface of your nails perfectly smooth and even. Then the base is applied and dried, followed by a color coating, which is the basis of the design. The layer must be even, streaks are unacceptable.
Let's move on to the most interesting part - creating the effect of leopard skin on your nails. Use a thin brush to randomly apply colored spots. Then make an intermittent border for each one. It should be fuzzy and black. For these purposes, you can also use a dots manicure tool or a regular needle. As you understand, the edging is done after the main spots have dried. To better understand how this happens, look at the photo of leopard nails. (Photo)
At the end of the work, a transparent top coat is applied.
It would be a good idea to watch the training video. This way you will definitely learn how to create an original design for your nails, which will be appropriate if you plan to wear a dress with a leopard print somewhere.
Leopard print on nails using stamping
This method is ideal for those who are sorely lacking time for themselves. To implement it you will need:
- plate with leopard skin patterns;
- scraper;
- stamp;
- base + top coat;
- two varnishes of primary colors.
After the nail plates are properly prepared, they are covered with a base compound, which is completely dried. Then apply two layers of varnish to the previously prepared decorative plate. Without waiting for it to dry, remove the excess with a rubber scraper. Press the rubber stamp pad onto the material remaining in the recesses, after which the pattern will be transferred to it. To make a leopard print on your nails, all you have to do is press the stamp to the surface of the nail in the center and print it over the entire area. Using this technology allows you to do an original manicure at home in a short time. To get a more accurate picture, it is recommended to watch a video about leopard manicure.
If you want to try an even simpler way to decorate your nails, then use stickers. But look at the photo of the leopard manicure in advance. As you can see, stickers are appropriate where you plan to cover only a certain part of the nail with a pattern or do a leopard-print manicure in a French style.
... And today we will talk about leopard nail design. I'll show you 12 variations... 12 Ways to Use This Spotty Manicure Technique. You yourself will be surprised at the variety of leopard nails that you can do at home. You will receive a beautiful stylish manicure. And the satisfaction of realizing the fact that YOU YOURSELF created such beauty.
I will show and tell you everything in great detail. I’ll give you a photo and a step-by-step detailed breakdown of how to make a leopard print manicure. So... let's get started.
Brown and sandy leopard shades on the nails.
Leopard print nails look very beautiful, made in the same natural tones as the leopard skin. Depending on whether the spotted predator is young or old... depending on the season... on the lighting of the sun or moon... the skin of a leopard can have different shades from a brown palette to light sand.
And this same color scheme can be used on your leopard manicure.
How to draw leopard spots.
Do you know the beauty and convenience of leopard spots? The fact is that if you are a girl with an unbalanced temperament, then it is a real pain for you to paint your nails evenly - you always end up with uneven marks, especially on your uncomfortable right hand... and JUST leopard spots will hide all the flaws in your manicure. All crooked brush marks... or under-dried careless dents... all these imperfections will be hidden under the beautiful stylish leopard spots.
Even a child can create a leopard print design on his nails. Now you will see how simple it is.
White background for leopard manicure.
The classic leo print and the classic black and white cinema can be combined into one manicure technique. Both the strict version of “black on white and white on black”… and gray spots in the black border of the strokes will look very nice.
Golden brown leopard spots on a white nail background look beautiful.
Red passion leopard manicure.
The combination of red + gold + leopard looks very nice. Very luxurious and sophisticated. It turns out to be an evening manicure - under a beautiful... special dress.
The red and gold leopard manicure from the photo above (to the right) is very easy to do.
- Paint your nails red.
- We tape the sides of the nail diagonally with tape - and on the open area we make a white background and black leo spots.
- We remove the tape. And on the border of the white and red zones, carefully draw a golden stripe with a thin brush.
Adding BLUE color to leopard print nails.
Leopard print nails will look fashionable and original if you highlight the contrast of the spots with an unexpected blue color. Blue leopard harmonizes best with the sandy-brown color scheme of the main color.
LILAC color of leopard nails.
The combination of soft purple shades with blue or red flowers looks advantageous here.
Leopard spots on metallic nails.
A leopard print nail design goes well with a metallic base nail shade. The sparkling background will highlight the calm beauty of the spots and create the feeling of an expensive nail design.
Leopard print nails with a zoned background.
You can do it yourself leopard print background make it not just one color - but zone the nail into different colors. That is... cover the halves of the nails with different base varnish. And then dot both zones with spots. You can make sure that the leopard print is only on one half of the manicure... or just a little bit beyond the border of two colors (as in the photo to the left, below).
Leopard print manicure on gradient nails.
Leopard print looks very gentle on the smooth transition of color on the nails. To do this, we use a sponge to apply a smooth transition of the color of one varnish to another onto the nail - and then draw spots and strokes on top of this gradient color. (I described exactly how to make such a smooth transition of the background on nails using a sponge in a special article
And... I really like it reception of BORROWING COLOR (see photo below). That is... where there is a pink background we draw blue spots... and where there is a blue background we draw pink spots. The result is a gentle interception of color - when each background takes on the leopard spots of the color of the neighboring background...
Leopard French manicure.
The photo below shows another option for placing leopard spots... As we can see, first we do a basic French manicure. And then, when the French base dries, we make leopard spots on top of it.
Moreover, you can (see left photo) draw spots only on the French zone.
Or you can (see right photo) and bring a flock of spots beyond the French border onto the nail plate.
ZONED leopard manicure (scotch technique).
You can also do this zoned leopard manicure at home - for this you will need regular tape.
- We paint the nails in the base color - not completely, but only the part that is needed. We are waiting for it to dry completely.
- Then we seal this part with tape (diagonally or straight).
- On the part of the nail that is not hidden behind the tape, apply a different color of varnish... Dry it... We apply a leopard print pattern... Remove the tape. And we get two zones - one-tone and leopard.
- On the border of these two zones, you can lay out a chain of rhinestones or simply draw a strip with a different color of varnish... or you can stick on a metallic nail strip.
Leopard spots + designs on nails.
You can combine leopard print with other designs on your nails - with a classic stripe or some symbolism (for example, a heart). Or add fluffy strips of velor nail powder... or draw lace.
Here is a step-by-step master class on how to create such a leopard manicure with lace - I especially drew it so that you understand HOW SIMPLE IT ALL IS.
Here is a selection of ideas for leopard manicure. Make your own mini-masterpieces... Come up with bold color combinations... add other manicure techniques to leopard print and create beauty for the joy of yourself and your loved ones.
And also...
I'll tell and show - how can you combine such leopard print nails with your clothes - with a dress, with jewelry, and shoes.
You will learn that it is not necessary to do such a manicure under a leopard print dress. The dress can be plain - and the leopard print will be well supported by a scarf, handbag, bracelet or earrings.
Many girls use monochromatic manicure colors and thus do not at all attract the eyes of men. In order to do this, you will need a little time and effort for such an option as a leopard nail design. In this way, you will color not only your imagination, but also such a step will be a challenge for others.
The article provides photographs on this topic.
Description
A manicure with a leopard pattern will amaze with its mystery and richness. And also its natural colors should be selected for each season. These are mainly dark brown and sand shades. Girls who choose such a manicure will become more stylish and attractive and will emphasize their uniqueness in a circle of dull and uninteresting people.
Color selection
In addition to brown flowers with a leopard pattern, bright pink shades are also suitable, mixing them with black flowers. These colors are suitable for blondes and brunettes. The first option is suitable for brown-haired women.
Small addition
Leopard nail design is an additional image of a daring lioness. It should be done only after you have already decided on a suit or dress. Decoration for a manicure can be rhinestones or small inclusions on the tips of the nails, sparkles or beads, as well as small stones and iridescent ribbons. The main trend of 2017 was stickers with various patterns that replace the long process of nail extensions and drawing patterns on them.
What color can the base be?
In order for everything not to look dull and uninteresting, you can choose bright bases. Such as:
- red;
- blue;
- green:
- violet;
- yellow;
- pink;
- turquoise;
- orange.
Each nail can be a different shade.
Alternate leopard print nails with glossy or sugar manicure. Decorate the top with sparkles or rhinestones. Rhinestones should not be massive. It doesn't look nice and is very rude. It is best when there is naturalness and harmony.
You can add something unusual to the drawing with the eye of a leopard. It can be a sticker or hand drawn.
Matte base
Another great idea on how to add variety to your look. We paint the ring and little fingers matte black. Also one half of the middle finger, and the other in a glossy beige color. And using that technology, the index finger and thumb. The gap on the middle finger can be filled with small rhinestones or sparkles. Next, when the varnish dries on the black, paint leopard spots using black glossy varnish. And on beige there are dark brown spots, which can be painted black on one side along the contour. This will highlight and attract the attention of the eye. 
Delicate tone
This idea is suitable both in winter and summer. We paint all the nails in a beige shade, after the varnish has dried on all except the nameless one, we paint spots of turquoise color. We outline it around the contour with black varnish. Thin stripe. On the finger on which nothing was drawn, we attach a rhinestone in the middle in the form of a bow, or a pebble, in turquoise color. If desired, you can secure everything on top with glitter. This will look even more impressive.
If you choose this manicure for a winter look, it will look good with a jacket of the same shade. Or pick up some piece from your wardrobe of the same color. So that everything fits together and doesn’t look ridiculous. The same applies to the summer version.
Bright colors
In the summer of 2017, in addition to the usual brown colors, you can use bright colors. For example, a combination of red, black and white. Where the entire base of the nail will be white. Black has large spots, and red has small spots on black. Doing this manicure at home is very simple. Using a medium-fine brush, you need to carefully make different black spots of different shapes on a white background. Then you need to dry the layer and apply smaller red specks on top of the black ones in the same way, only with a thin brush. After this, use a setting gel to protect the stains from scratches and dust.
An easier way to get a leopard print manicure is a stamping manicure.
It is convenient because you do not need to draw the spots manually. To do this, there are special prints that need to be applied to the nail. Then you need to place a special varnish for stains on the cliche and get rid of the excess amount of varnish. The final stage of manicure - transfer the stains from the stencil to the nails and the manicure is ready. For this method, use contrasting colors. For example, hot pink, emerald, yellow and black.
And finally, the easiest way of all is stickers.
This manicure is called minx print. You just need to carefully cut them from the sheet and select the size for each nail. Then remove the bottom layer and apply the sticker to the nail. After this, remove the top layer, which is considered protective, and the sticker must be smoothed with an orange or cotton swab. After all this has been done, you need to apply a colorless gel polish to fix it.
Video on the topic of the article:
Many girls have a leopard print swimsuit or dress in their wardrobe. It is not surprising that leopard nail designs are also in great demand. Even beginners can recreate a tiger print on their nails. This manicure looks equally good on short nails and long ones.
Don't mistakenly assume that animal prints(leopard, zebra, etc.) can be decorated exclusively in natural colors. They can increasingly be seen in completely unexpected designs. The spots can be a calm beige or stand out in a bright red color. Each fashionista decides for herself what color she wants to create a leopard print manicure.
How to make a spotted nail design
First, decide how you will make such a design - using regular varnishes or gel polish. Of course, in the latter case, the pattern will last much longer, delighting you with its beauty. Nails can also be anything - any length, any shape, extensions or natural.
After this, carefully prepare your nails. Remove the cuticle and treat the side ridges. File your nails, moving the file strictly in one direction so as not to injure the plate. Sand the plates with a buff if you decide to use gel polish.
Next, prepare the varnishes you need, an orange stick or a thin brush and acrylic paints. Everything should be at your fingertips. It is worth noting that if the ornament is drawn by hand, then it looks more elegant and natural. But if you don't have experience, then ordinary varnishes and an orange stick are suitable for starting.
Consider the option with gel polishes:
As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. If you wish and have the necessary materials, you will quickly master the technique of applying an animal print to your nails.
Leopard print jacket
You can make a French version with “leopard”. It looks stylish and elegant. You can make it with rhinestones. Only rhinestones should be added in small quantities so as not to overload the nails.
An office option might look like this:
- Get a classic manicure.
- After the base, apply the main calm shade (beige or soft pink).
- Highlight the smile area with animal spots.
And for a holiday or party, make a bright leopard-print jacket. Do you like to be the center of attention? Then the main color will be red. But remember that both red and animal print are a little aggressive on their own. Don't overdo it or create an off-putting design on your nails.
Requirements for short and long nails
Of course, any animal print looks attractive on long nails. But owners of short nails shouldn’t be upset either. They just shouldn’t cover all their fingers with such patterns. It is enough to decorate two fingers with it, adding stones or sparkles to the design.
At the same time, the shape of the nails can also be any - round will add femininity to the image, and square is more durable. Therefore, the form is selected individually, depending on the girl’s preferences.
Manicure with stamping
Stamping is a unique technique with which you can transfer a variety of designs to your nails. Animal ornament is no exception here. You will need to buy a stamping kit, which includes:
- several boards with different images;
- silicone or rubber stamp;
- scraper;
- special varnishes with high pigmentation.
But it’s better to purchase all this separately, because you will need a board with a certain image.
It will be very easy to do a manicure using this technique. But you must first practice transferring the design onto artificial tips, since the special varnish dries quickly - you have no more than ten seconds to transfer the image. Then the already dried varnish will not adhere to the surface of the stamp or nail.
Of course, these are far from the only ways to create such an interesting and individual design. Acrylic modeling paired with “leopard” is also used. And if you don’t want to spend a lot of time with drawing or stamping, you can buy special stickers with the image you want. Nowadays you can even order sliders with a specific image.
Transferring the sticker to the nail is easy, but it will require some skill. To make the gel polish sticker last longer, you need to cover it with two layers of top coat. By the way, with its help you can diversify your manicure. The top comes in glossy and matte finishes. With each of them, the same manicure will look different.
Don't be afraid to experiment and recreate the most unexpected designs on your nails. Show your individuality and imagination.
