SCRATCH COLUMNIST
Art with Jark
Scratch Stars Hall Of Fame pro & founder of Jark Nails, JIAK HING, shares a masterclass in gel polish design to elevate your artistic offerings
ABOUT JIAK HING
Jiak Hing is a bespoke nail artist from Bolton, Manchester. She specialises in unique, illustrative nail art under the business name, Jark Nails, and has scooped multiple industry awards, including the Scratch Stars Gel Polish Stylist of the Year accolade in 2022, 2023 and 2024. These three wins granted her entry into the Scratch Stars Hall Of Fame for the category. Jiak is committed to producing innovative and intricate nail art, and credits gel polish for offering creative freedom. The versatility of the medium allows her to experiment with a spectrum of colours and bring her artistic visions to life. She hopes to inspire nail professionals to step out of their comfort zones, embrace creativity and try new skills and techniques.
OUT & ABOUT
I attended Essie’s Riviera Rooftop event at Blue Marlin Ibiza in London, where the brand showcased its eight-piece Riviera Rush nail polish collection. The venue was beautifully styled to suit the riviera theme, and guests could personalise nail polish bottles with gems, create bag charms with cuticle oil, enjoy nail art, tattoos and more. It was such a joy to connect with the nail tech community and celebrate creativity together.
VINTAGE LACE-INSPIRED 3D TEXTURE NAIL ART
October is one of my favourite months for nail artistry. Deep hues and Halloween designs are popular, but styles don’t always have to involve ghosts, pumpkins and cobwebs. This month can be full of mystery and romance with a dark edge, so I’ve created a design inspired by vintage lace. It’s intricate, elegant and beautifully textured.
This look combines moody tones and a 3D floral effect for a finish that is ethereal and eye-catching. You can experiment with different colours or add metallic or chrome details to elevate the design. Try various floral arrangements and finish with either a matte or glossy top coat.
You will need:
• Nude builder gel or gel polish.
• Black jelly gel polish.
• Gel polish top coat.
• Black art gel (no wipe).
• 3D art powder or clear acrylic powder. I used products from Akzentz.
Step 1 Prep the nails and apply a nude builder gel or gel polish and cure.
Step 2 Paint a coat of black jelly gel polish onto the nail. Cure, then apply top coat: matte for drama or glossy for elegance. Cure.
Step 3 Mix a small amount of black art gel with 3D art powder or clear acrylic powder. Paint a five-petal flower slightly off-centre and cure.
Step 4 Use the same mix to add more petals and flowers to the nail, curing in between each application.
Step 5 Outline the nail using the black art gel powder mix and a variety of thick and thin strokes. Cure. The uneven painting adds movement and character to the design.
Step 6 Complete the look by using the mix to paint delicate vines and leaves onto the nail, to achieve the gothic lace effect. Cure.
Follow Jiak:
/jarknailartisan
@jark.nails
@jarknails