Self-nails, part 1: I made idol-animal press-on tips (and I'm still practising)
This is part one of two about self-nails — nails I do myself, mostly with things you can buy cheaply in Japan. It starts with the most fun thing I have made so far: press-on tips shaped like idol characters.
I made nail tips in the shape of the animal characters linked to idols I like — puppies, cats and more — and wore one as a test. They are not perfect. I am still learning, and part 2 will show what I used.
Why animals?
K-pop and idol fans often link each member to an animal, usually a dog or a cat, and when fans talk about them on social media they use the animal icon instead of the name. I wanted to turn that shorthand into something I can wear, so I built each character as a little nail tip.
I made them as separate tips, not painted on my nail, so I could try again without redoing my whole hand. They are also easy to give away — I made a few as presents for friends, and the rest as practice.
Wearing one
It feels quite different from my usual style, and that is exactly the point — a nail you wear for a concert or a fan meet, not the office. Up close it is a bit wobbly, and I am fine with that.
What I normally wear
My everyday self-nails are much simpler, and I am honest about the level: still practising, not tidy yet. Here are two: a soft grey-and-white one inspired by snow, and a brown one.
Start with a colour you like and a design you can forgive. If it goes wrong, it grows out, and you learn what to do next time.
Coming in part 2: exactly what I used to make these — mostly things from Japan's 100-yen shops — and how I built the tips.
Common questions
What are press-on nail tips?
Press-on tips are small artificial nails you design on their own and then attach to your nails. You can make them ahead of time, so the design does not have to be done on the nail itself.
Why animals for idols?
In K-pop and idol fandoms, members are often linked to an animal, such as a puppy or a cat, and fans use the animal icon in place of the name on social media. I turned those characters into nail tips.
Is this a beginner project?
I am still practising, so this is not a masterclass. It is a first attempt that I wanted to show honestly. The materials will be covered in part 2.