Manicure Monday: Graphic Nail Art by Jessica Tong

10:09 PM


Hey guys! Today I wanted to share with you a really rad gel mani I had done while I was in NYC for fashion week. This nail art design was by celebrity nail artist Jessica Tong aka @jesthemess who was enthusiastically recommended via mutual friends David Yi and Sena Yoo

When I was deciding on what I wanted for my nail design, I landed on a very graphic black design over "clear" negative space. I requested that she incorporate hearts because I got the mani on Valentine's Day so she hand-painted and studded this piece as the final artwork, which was SO ME and exactly what I wanted!

left hand

right hand

One of my favorite parts of the mani is that the heart on each ring finger is balanced on the opposite hand with positive and negative space.



I found this look to match every outfit I wore not only during fashion week but every day since. Thank you so much Jess for being such a talented artist with the steadiest of hands!

If you guys want to recreate this look using polish, you could try a semi-transparent nude or pale pink base like Essie Ballet Slippers and take a small brush to create the designs with ORLY Liquid Vinyl for a flat black. Then use a gold metallic or glitter polish to dot the studded areas like OPI All Sparkly And Gold. Top it off with Seche Vite and you should be golden!

Readers, are you more a fan of nail art or solid polish? Have you ever had professional art done? Share your experience in the comments below!

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27 comments

  1. fab mani

    http://prettypurple92.weebly.com/

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  2. How unique!! Ive never seen such straight lines with nail polish before.
    biffsquiggled

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  3. This is amazing! I've always loved half transparent manis, but my nails aren't in really good shape (or colour) lol. This is so so pretty, the colour combi is great, really goes with most outfits. <3

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    1. That's why you can use a semi-sheer base first! That's what she did for my nails. She used a nude to begin with but it still has that transparent look. :)

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    2. thanks for this info Jen..because i would like to have transparent manis too but afraid that my nails would seem so ugly :( so jealous with your nail shape

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  4. This is incredible! One of the prettiest designs I've ever seen on nails. <3

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  5. Looks so edgy on your nails, Jen! Loving the black and gold!

    LIVE . IN . LOVE ✞

    ~

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  6. Definitely a nail art person :D I saw some pics on your and jess' IG already and am absolutely in love with this design! Negative spaces are really in these days and Jess' creations are one of my favs. I've got my nails done professionally before (not by a celeb artist though) but I prefer to do them on my own actually, especially when it comes to nail art. But there are some artists I want to get my nails done, unfortunately they're all either in Japan or the US x3

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    1. If you find yourself in NYC you definitely should hit up Jess! But if you do it yourself you must already be an accomplished artist. ^_^

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  7. This is so awesome!!

    www.becksbabyy.blogspot.com

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  8. I've only ever had one manicure in my life but the lady couldn't do designs! This is amazinggggggg :D

    thesunnyscenery.com

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  9. Ahh this is sick! Love the design with the black and negative space along with the gold stud like things. It's like glam, but not over-the-top. I've only had some nail art done (flowers and such) but nothing like this! My cousin is getting pretty good at nail art so I may have to have her assist me soon since I have no such skills. lolz.

    k.f.c. =P

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  10. Love this! The colors and the design fit very well together! I have been wanting to do this on my own nails too, but it's quite time consuming in it's own way! I'm tempted though :P

    tht-christina.blogspot.com

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  11. What a great look! I love doing nail art myself!

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  12. I am quite scared of getting gel manis from what I've read on the net about damage they leave to the nails, but I have to admit, the nail art on you looks amazing! And I love your blog, by the way :)

    --Mari
    bluchiffon.blogspot.com

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    1. Hey Mari! IMO, damage comes when people remove the gel mani, not when it's on. To reduce damage you could always file it smooth and have it grow out, or use foil wraps like in my "how to remove glitter polish" tutorial. I only get it occasionally when I travel and can't paint my nails for a while since they last 2 weeks. And thank you! :)

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  13. Hello Jen!
    I love your blog and your youtube channel, I really wonder what camera, lens, mic and lightning you use for your videos... Can you please answer me? They're amazing quality <3

    ilu
    - your subbie
    Susanne <3

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    1. I'm using a Canon 5D Mark III and the lenses we switch around depending on what we are recording but for most part it's an 85mm lens. Mic is a zoom mic. Hope that helps!

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  14. I love this look! It's quite neat. I've never had nail art done professionally, and I'm so poor at applying it myself. With typing so much every day and working as a makeup artists, I find that my nail polish never really lasts well unless it's a gel polish. So I guess that's why I always stick with solids when I do have polish on. I'd love to see what a pro could create on my nails though!

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  15. I really love nail art and I prefer to do it myself ^_^ I do love me solid colors most of the time though, just because I'm lazy lol! ^__^ Great mani this week Jen, Jessica is amazingly talented! <3

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  16. They look so cool! Lovely nail art.

    Ray | Obey Ray

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  17. It's so pretty! I love the opaqueness of the color!

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  18. Amazing!!! Wish I could wear my nails like this everyday ... Stupid work haha =D x

    dreamingofblossoms.blogspot.com

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  19. The cost of the service usually reflects what you will receive. In most cases, you get what you pay for… but price is not the only indication.professional logo

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