In fashion, we look to the runways to inspire beauty looks. For example, the lipstick trends for the season or the manicure colors that will be popular for the coming months. But when it comes to nail designs, artists and creators are the ones who are constantly churning out new trends. From cocktail-inspired nails to 3-D textures, there’s lots to discover on Instagram. However, the latest, blue sand nail design, is one of the most alluring we’ve seen in a while.
As the name suggests, the look is made to mimic the grainy texture and beautiful movement of sand—think desert dunes and the smooth texture of glass-blown structures. Even more mesmerizing is the color palette used to create the look. The blend includes brilliant blues and shimmering copper and silver shades. To say that the final look is unique is an understatement. Ahead, we spoke with the creator behind the trend and a nail art expert to learn how to create the sleek new nail look.
Featured experts
- Siranush Ambartsumian is a nail artist, the founder of the Miami-based Nail Art Department salon and the creator of the blue sand nail trend
- Thea Green is the founder of Nails.INC and INC.Redible Cosmetics
What are blue sand nails?
Blue sand nails are designed to mimic the look of sand granules. What makes the look stand out is the color palette used to create the gradient. Instead of tonal shades, it uses a beautiful blue color that blends into a copper-metallic, creating a unique gradient effect. Nail artist, founder of Nail Art Department salon and the creator of the blue sand nail trend, Siranush Ambartsumian, explains that the transition of the shades makes the design stand out from others. “The blend is supposed to be seamless with no harsh lines to create a captivating blur as the copper shifts into blue,” she says.
When asked about her inspiration behind the design, Ambartsumian credits the movie Dune. “I was searching for this effect, and this design became a kind of embodiment of the mysterious desert sand from the movie. I’m a big fan of this film and, of course, of Hans Zimmer, the composer who created the stunning soundtrack for the movie. After attending his concert, the name blue sand nails came to me,” she says.
Understanding the technique
From afar, blue sand nails may appear to be created through various techniques. “Many mistakenly assume I used copper chrome and blue cat-eye polish to create this look,” says Ambartsumian. However, the design is created with the ombré chrome technique using different chrome colors. “To master this look, you need to have a smooth and seamless transition between the colors,” says Thea Green, founder of Nails.INC and INC.Redible Cosmetics. For blue sand nails, Ambartsumian says that the transition has a laser-like effect that gives the design a flawless look.
How to create blue sand nails
This design is all about layers. First, you’ll need a shiny and opaque black nail polish to create the base. Once you’ve painted the nails black, add a layer of silver cat-eye polish with magnetic filaments and use a magnet to create a French tip effect. To do this, Ambartsumian recommends positioning the magnet flat and bringing it close to the left side of the nail, then smoothly moving it across to the right.
The next step is the addition of the chrome powder, which is the step that Ambartsumian calls the showstopper. While you can use any product for the base, she notes that a high-quality chrome powder is key. For the blue sand effect, she recommends Nailspiracy’s LUNA 3 chrome powder ($15 each). “Unlike others, this powder is composed of three reflective shades (black, white and nude).” She explains that the unique blend of shades is what turns the silver layer of polish into a magnificent blue while elegantly transforming the black French tip into copper.
