Short answerCustom nail art at X Nails covers chrome, cat eye, French, ombre, glazed and hand-painted designs, priced by the design, so ask for a quote when you book, it's added to your base gel manicure or Gel-X service rather than a flat fee. Bring inspiration photos and, for anything detailed, book ahead so we can set aside enough chair time.
Nails are the easiest place to have a little fun, and custom art is where Tiffany's ten-plus years on Ventura Blvd really show. From a single accent nail to a full hand-painted set, here is what we offer, how it's priced, and how to get the best result.
What styles of nail art do you offer?
- Chrome and aura chrome, mirror metallics and color-shift finishes; see our chrome nails page and full chrome guide for the technique and colors.
- Glazed / pearl, the sheer, soft-glow finish behind the "glazed donut" trend; details in our glazed donut guide.
- Magnetic cat eye, a shimmering line effect pulled by a magnet before curing; explained in our cat eye guide.
- Classic and modern French, from the traditional white tip to colored, micro and angled French styles; see our modern French guide.
- Ombre and baby boomer, graduated color blends, softly or dramatically shaded; more in our ombre guide.
- Hand-painted detail, florals, line art, characters or anything custom, painted freehand to your reference photo.
- 3D and seasonal accents, charms, gems and holiday or event-specific designs.
How is nail art priced?
Art pricing depends on the design, so ask for a quote when you book; it's added on top of your base gel manicure or Gel-X service rather than a flat fee, and detailed sets take extra time. We always confirm the exact add-on price with you before we start, based on what you're asking for. See our nail prices page for base service costs.
A useful way to think about pricing is to separate the base service from the art itself. Your gel manicure or Gel-X set is priced on its own; the art on top of it, whether that's two chrome accents or ten hand-painted nails, is quoted based on the time and detail involved, and we walk through it with you before we pick up a brush so there is never a surprise at the end.
Gel-X or gel manicure for nail art?
Most art pairs beautifully with either base. Our specialty Gel-X extensions give a smooth, even, slightly longer canvas that makes fine detail, chrome and French especially crisp, while a gel manicure on your natural nails works just as well for most designs. If you're deciding between systems generally, our polygel vs Gel-X guide may help.
Bring a picture, book the time
The two things that make custom art go smoothly: bring inspiration photos so we are on the same page about the exact look, and book ahead so we can set aside enough chair time. A simple accent nail adds only a few minutes; detailed designs can add extra time. Walk-ins are always welcome for simpler add-ons, but detailed art gets the best results when it's scheduled.
How we translate a photo into your set
When you bring a reference photo, we look at three things before starting: your natural nail shape and length, whether the exact design needs Gel-X for a longer canvas or works fine on your natural nails, and how much of the detail is realistic to hold up over two to three weeks of daily wear. Sometimes a design that looks incredible in a photo needs a small adjustment, a simplified line, a slightly different placement, to actually wear well once you're back to typing, washing dishes and living your life. We will always tell you honestly what will and won't hold up before we start.
Seasonal and one-off designs
Beyond our regular finishes, we do seasonal sets for holidays, birthdays, weddings and events, these are the designs most worth booking a week or two ahead, since they tend to be the most detailed and the most popular around the same dates each year. If you have a specific event coming up, mention it when you book so we can plan the right amount of time.
FAQ
Can I bring a photo of the nail art I want?+
Yes, please do. Inspiration photos are the best way to get exactly what you have in mind. We will tell you what works for your length and the time it needs.
What kinds of nail art do you do?+
Chrome, cat eye magnetic, classic and micro French, ombre, hand painted detail, accents and seasonal designs. If you have seen it, ask us.
How much does nail art cost?+
Art is priced by the design and detail, added to your base service. We confirm the price before starting.
Should I book ahead for detailed nail art?+
Yes. Detailed or custom art needs more chair time, so booking ahead lets us set aside enough time to do it justice.
Does nail art work better on Gel-X or natural nails?+
Both work well. Gel-X gives a smooth, even, slightly longer canvas which makes fine detail and chrome look especially clean, while a gel manicure on natural nails is just as good a base for French, ombre or an accent design.
How long does nail art take?+
A simple accent nail or two adds only a few minutes to your regular service. Detailed designs can add extra time, which is why we ask you to book ahead for anything elaborate.
Book at X Nails
Visit X Nails at 13612 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423. Walk-ins welcome, and we recommend booking ahead for longer services.
Secure online booking, about 60 seconds. Prefer to talk first? Call or just walk in.