When it comes to festival nails, the options are endless! There are so many colours, styles, and designs to choose from that it can be hard to know where to start.
But don't worry, we're here to help!
In conjunction with the release of our vibe-shaking, stage rocking, neon popping trio of new Mylee glow in the dark nail polishes, we bring you our guide on trendy festival nail art designs to make sure you take centre stage this festival season!
Our retro festival collection includes a hot vibrant pink that will turn heads, an eye-catching neon carnival green that will certainly get you noticed, and a rich orange to make your nails the envy of all your festival-loving friends.
So whether you're dancing amongst the crowd or chilling with friends at the festival bar, these fashionable and funky festival nail designs are sure to set you apart from everyone else!
Let's kick things off with our Main Stage nail polish...
Main Stage: Neon ‘Glow In The Dark’ Pink
Bright colours are a must for festivals. Contrary to popular belief, neon can be a versatile look. They can be used with a bold look or neutrals. It is a great way to show off your style. Pair with a black or white outfit for maximum effect.
Neon pink nails are a real hit, and Main Stage is a great colour to use. It can be worn alone or as part of your nail design efforts. Use a dotting tool to create a fun, spotty manicure or try out our glitters or stickers.
Lime Light: An Eye-catching ‘Glow In The Dark’ Green
The next must-have in your festival fashion look book is a bright green mani. Another bold colour that lends itself to any and all looks during the summer season. This colour can really just add the finishing touch to your festival outfit.
Lime Light is truly a great colour, and it couldn't have come at a better time. A number of nail art trends work great with this colour, including negative space nail art, ombre green nails or the super trendy colour French tip.
Glow Stick: A Bold ‘Glow In The Dark’ Orange
The final shade to round out the festival trio is Glow Stick, an aptly named bright highlighter orange. Neons are big this year, and they are great for festivals. This shade will go with all of your festival looks too.
Wear this shade with either a matte or glossy top coat depending on your preference and the impact you want to have. Use shades that make the colour stand out even more, like white or black.
Prepping Your Nails Before the Party
Festivals can be hard on the nails, from the dirt and the grass to the copious amounts of hand sanitiser and the grimy portaloos. So you need to make sure that you have done all you can to make sure your manicure will last. This means prepping your nails properly.
Step One
The first step is to clean your nails and remove all traces of your last manicure. This should be done by soaking cotton pads in acetone or gel polish remover, laying them over the nails and securing them with clips or foil. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes before gently scraping away your gold gel polish with a gel scraper or wooden cuticle stick.
Step Two
The next step is to trim your nails, remove any unwanted length and file your nails into the desired shape. Square or round is usually the best shape for natural nails because they are stronger, meaning your nails are less likely to break.
Step Three
Finally, you should moisturise your hands and apply nail oil to ensure that your nails are hydrated. Manicures can be drying, and if your nails aren't in the best shape underneath, then your manicure won't last as long.
How To Apply Your Festival Nails
Step One
First, gently push back your cuticles with a wooden or metal cuticle pusher. You can use the Mylee Cuticle Remover to soften them first.
Step Two
After you have done that, you need to buff your nails. Remember to be gentle. You are aiming to remove the shine from the surface and create some texture to prime your nails.
Step Three
Next, apply Mylee Prep & Wipe to a lint-free wipe and rub over each of your nails. The solution sanitises your nail plates and ensures the gel has a good surface to adhere to. Your nails should now be ready for nail polish application.
Step Four
Applying a base coat is a must. Using a base coat underneath your manicure helps smooth out your nail plate to fill in any ridges or divots and guarantees a smooth application. Cure the base coat using a UV or LED lamp.
Step Five
It is time for your design. Whether you are going for a solid colour or nail art, don't forget to cure your nails between each coat.
Step Six
After you are happy with your manicure, you need to seal it using Mylee Top Coat to cure your manicure for the final time. Use the Mylee Prep & Wipe again to remove any leftover sticky residue and give your manicure a high shine finish.
Festival Nail Ideas
Festival nails are an integral part of your overall look. It can be just the thing to set off your look. Doing a gel manicure ahead of time also means that you don't have to worry about doing your nails or touching them up when you get there. So if you are looking for inspiration, look no further.
Viva La France
One of the biggest trends for this summer is that of the French tip. There are so many ways to approach this and make it your own, from your colour choice to the thickness of the tip, whether you go for a wavy line or even vertical lines.
Bold & Beautiful
You could also simply go for a solid bold colour. Black, white or neons are all great options for festivals. They make an impact, but they are a very low effort manicure – especially if you aren't that skilled in nail designs.
Minimalistic
The last trend for this summer that you might want to consider is glass nails. Use a clear base or clear nail extensions and then a few subtle designs over the top.
Think geometric shapes and squiggles. The best part about this mani is that it does not have to be symmetrical.
Storing Your MyGel Nail Polishes
Storing your MyGel polishes is actually pretty easy. Just keep them in a cool dark place and try to avoid any exposure to sunlight – so no storing them on the window sill!
Exposure to natural light can discolour gel polish and fade the pigment. Any exposure of the polish to UV rays will also pre-cure it.
Final Thoughts
Festivals are a great place to express yourself through your style in an environment that you wouldn't usually be in. Take advantage of this; you're surrounded by like-minded people.
When it comes to choosing your manicure, make sure to choose something versatile to go with all your festival fits.
FAQs
How long do festival nails last?
If you have followed all of the steps listed above, then your manicure can last up to three weeks. However, festivals can be hard on the hands and nails, so it depends on how well you look after them.
How do I cure my festival nails?
All Mylee gel polishes can be cured using either a UV or LED lamp. However, the light source that you use can affect the curing time of your polish. A UV lamp tends to take up to 120 seconds to cure the polish, whereas a LED lamp only takes between 30 to 60 seconds generally.
Are festival nails easy to remove?
Gel manicures are pretty easy to remove. Start by buffing away the shine of the topcoat; this allows the remover to penetrate further into the manicure. Next, soak your cotton pads with acetone or gel remover. Place the cotton pad onto your nails and secure it with nail clips or foil wraps.
After around ten to fifteen minutes, you can remove the cotton pad. Most of the polish should come away. Use an orange stick to get rid of any stubborn bits of product. Repeat the process as necessary until your nails are clean. Remember to use nail oil and hand cream to rehydrate your nails.
