Black Lacquer taken down to a flat matte, which deepens the colour and kills every reflection.
3 bottles: Black Lacquer, Snow White and Antique Gold. Black Lacquer against Snow White is a hard contrast, so the motif reads from across a room, and any wobble in the line reads with it. The bottles are not all the same finish (crème and chrome), so the pattern picks up light differently from the ground.
On an almond shape the canvas narrows toward the tip, so the design reads as slightly elongated. Usually flattering, occasionally something to compensate for.
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Bottles for this nail
Tap a bottle to open it on the shelfWhat you need
How to paint Black Lacquer Matte nails
- 1 Buff, dehydrate and base coat, then cure. Two coats of Black Lacquer. A dark base shows every ridge, so the ridge-filling base coat matters more than usual here.
- 2 Two thin coats of Black Lacquer, cured, keeping the surface as level as you can — matte hides nothing.
- 3 Matte top coat, cured — and no cuticle oil over it, which spots the finish.
Questions about Black Lacquer Matte
Is Black Lacquer Matte hard to do at home?
Yes. There is no freehand work that has to be accurate. Budget about 30 minutes for a full set, and three colours means three chances for something to bleed, so cure between each one rather than working wet on wet.
What polish do I need for Black Lacquer Matte?
3 bottles: Black Lacquer (crème), Snow White (crème) and Antique Gold (chrome). Plus a base coat and a gloss top coat, which every design here assumes you already have.
Does Black Lacquer Matte work on short nails?
Almond needs a little length to hold its taper. On a short nail the shape reads closer to round, and the design still works, it just stops elongating the finger.
Do I need a UV lamp for Black Lacquer Matte?
Yes. Antique Gold only works as a gel — the effect depends on rubbing or setting the finish into a cured tacky layer, which air-dry polish never gives you.