Kitschy and Cute Some symbols just scream vintage. Here’s a list to get you started for creating fun, retro nail art designs:
The Art of the Pin-Up The pin-up model has become a symbol of vintage culture. Originally intended to be mass-produced pictures that could be “pinned up” on a wall, the early pin-up girls grew to fame during World War II when their pictures were posted in GI lockers and adapted as nose art on WWII bombers. The popularity of the pin-up look has never faded and is now a common tattoo request, in addition to being an emblem of vintage beauty. You can create your own pin-ups on clients nails. Many thanks to NAILS Next Top Nail Artist 1st runner-up Lauren Wireman for creating our ’50s-themed pin-up stiletto nails with retro patterned undersides. You can fnd a step-by-step tutorial for these nails at www.nailsmag.com/retropinup.
Pin-ups
Bowling bags
Cupcakes
Cherries
Polka dots
Jukebox
Record players
Hello, Flamingo
Poodle skirts
New from OPI, the Hello, Flamingo collection includes six fun, retro colors, including two exclusive colors — Flamingo Tini Pink and Feel the Mo-Heat-Oes Green — available only through CosmoProf and Armstrong McCall. The other best-selling colors in the collection are Pink Flamenco, Alpine Snow, You’re Such a Buda Pest, and No Room for the Blues. The collection also comes with a free OPI Summer Beach Towel/Tote (above). A mini-pack of Flamingo-tinis (at left) is also available with one each of Flamingo Tini Pink, Feel the Mo-Heat-Oes Green, Alpine Snow, and You’re Such a Buda Pest.
Checkerboard
Cat eye glasses
Aprons
Bright foral prints
Tiki/hula