As the press release say's
Never have boring nails again!
Title: Spectacular Nail Art
Byline: A Step-By-Step Guide to 35 Gorgeous Designs
Author: Larit Levy
Publisher: Imagine
Release Date: 2nd September 2014
BLURB from Goodreads
No woman is fully dressed without the perfect manicure: it’s the final touch, the must-have accessory to any outfit. And today, spectacular nails mean more than a coat of pink polish. It’s fashion art, with a world of fabulous colors, unique patterns, and gorgeous embellishments to choose from. These 35 designs are eye-catching and ultra-stylish, whether you’re looking to liven up an everyday look or get glam for a special occasion. Novices needn’t worry, either, because every project—from sparkling Champagne Chic to the wintry, Christmasy Snappy Snowflakes—includes easy-to-follow instructions and handy step-by-step photos, and most are really simple to create.
Have a spooky Halloween with black-and-white cobwebbed nails; hail the red-white-and blue and stars-and-stripes forever with Positively Patriotic; and celebrate the coming of spring with vintage fancy flowers. Go wild with animal prints, like leaping leopard spots or zebra zigzags on your "claws." And even if you can’t make it to Hawaii, your nails can, with designs featuring the island’s famed hibiscus. Whether you’re choosing elegant, wedding-ready pearly bubbles or playful retro dots and fun characters, every pattern here makes an unforgettable statement.
Tips on nail care, products, and basic manicures (including a French one) help you keep your hands in tip-top shape. One thing’s for sure: with this art on your nails, you’ll never want to wear gloves again!
Have a spooky Halloween with black-and-white cobwebbed nails; hail the red-white-and blue and stars-and-stripes forever with Positively Patriotic; and celebrate the coming of spring with vintage fancy flowers. Go wild with animal prints, like leaping leopard spots or zebra zigzags on your "claws." And even if you can’t make it to Hawaii, your nails can, with designs featuring the island’s famed hibiscus. Whether you’re choosing elegant, wedding-ready pearly bubbles or playful retro dots and fun characters, every pattern here makes an unforgettable statement.
Tips on nail care, products, and basic manicures (including a French one) help you keep your hands in tip-top shape. One thing’s for sure: with this art on your nails, you’ll never want to wear gloves again!
PURCHASE LINKS
Larit Levy worked as a writer and editor for over a
decade, both online and for some of Israel’s forefront independent
publications. Six years ago, she cofounded a nail spa in Tel Aviv that offers
various beauty treatments, and she continues to co-manage the business today.
MY REVIEW
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I do really enjoy looking at books like this from more than one point of view. I look with interest to see if I would be able to do any of the designs. I look at the book with a professional eye as many moons ago I qualified as level 2 Nail Technician, my daughter is a fully qualified level 3 qualified Nail Technician. Finally I look at the book from the point of view as a parent, and ask myself the question would I purchase/recommend this as a gift for a friend relative.
MY REVIEW
I downloaded an e-arc of this one from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The cover I would say is quite busy, showing lots of pictures of the different nail designs that are featured inside the book. There's lots and lots of girly pink on the cover too. The title and author name are the main focus of the book and are in the centre of the front cover as well as the sub-heading/by line of "A Step by Step Guide of 35 Gorgeous designs" which describes the book and it's contents quite well. Would the cover of this book make me pick it up from a book store shelf? If I were browsing in a book store I think I'd pick it up to take a quick look inside at the designs, though in my opinion the cover is targeting the girly tween market, which I guess is the perfect audience for a book like this.
The book begins with the "Basics" which explains the contents of the book, that it is a step by step guide to a good range of designs, a mixture of special occasion to everyday wear creations too. This section also explains that there are different skill and patience levels for each different creation.
The book goes on to a Caring for your hands and nails list of do's and don'ts for example "always wear gloves both when washing up or using any chemicals" There's also a section which recommends how to choose a Nail Salon.
The Techniques section covers the different nail shapes and how to push your cuticles back. Personally and from a professional point of view I think the book could have done to put a little more emphasis on doing so carefully so as not to tear the cuticle. I think the description on the method for how to apply nail polish is totally spot on as is the tip of rolling nail polish between your hands to mix the colour pigment and so enabling the polish to be applied evenly. (A really great professional tip!).
I think the instructions on how to do a french manicure and how to apply the white makes it sound quite easy when to be honest I still see poorly applied french manicures done by so called qualified professionals. A french manicure is also variable upon where you live in the world too. I think the description of pouring nai polish onto cardboard or foil could be a ittle wasteful when you could paint the colour onto the dotter and that way is much more economical. The actual designs fall under five categories though are not individually labelled as so, they just flow one design after the next. I'd say I loved the vintage style flowers, the darling daisies, pearly bubbles and cascading blossoms too. A quirky wedding themed nail covered is the Tux deluxe.
The book felt like it ended a little too abruptly for my taste. It would have been nice to have a paragraph or so at the end of the book saying "Good Luck with your nail creations" and something like "Remember practice makes perfect!" then perhaps have some media links to a few popular nail blogs.
So did I enjoy the book? Yes, it I enjoyed flicking through it. Would I recommend the book? Mmm yes to a young tween or teen interested in Nail Art and Makeup etc. Would I want to read another book by the people who created this one? I don't honestly think I would buy one for myself, perhaps as a gift. Would I be interested in another Nail Designs book? I usually check out all Nail Design books and Hairstyle book, old habits die hard lol.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Perfect for Tweens and Teens, or perhaps even for you to try yourself, or to have a mini pamper party time with your daughter! I remember my daughter being very into having her nails done and also her wanting to do mine too. I often ended up going to work with different colours and designs!
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