Book Review: Idiot's Guides - Nail Art

Press Sample

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Tonight I have a really special review for you - it's a BOOK! But not just any book, a book from a blogger friend of mine: Emily Draher, AKA The Lacquerologist!

Idiot's Guides: Nail Art

Continued after the jump...

And I'm in it!!!  As a resource...

But this is a review, so let's get to it.

When reviewing a book such as this you have to ask yourself if it accomplishes what it set out to do. If it's clear. If it's easy to understand and follow. If the content is something people actually want to know. Learn. Duplicate.

So I read through it, front to back. And it really does cover everything you'd expect it to...from nail structure (hyponychium anyone?) to nail care. How to care for your hands, nails and cuticles. How to polish your nails properly...even your toes! It takes you all the way through basic nail art styles and techniques from simple to intermediate to advanced.

And that's all before you even get the the nail art.

As I read through, I was expecting to come across something I didn't really agree with, but I didn't. The information was good. Well researched. I mean she is a certified nail tech, after all!

The next thing I wanted to know is how she would guide the reader through the actual nail art.

The instructions and illustrations were clear, step-by-step and easy to follow. I decided I would pick one design from each of the 3 sections and try to duplicate them using her instructions. It's one thing to teach someone who has never tried nail art before and an entirely different thing to try to teach an old dog new tricks. I do a lot of nail art - Emily and I are in The Digital Dozen together even. So would it be helpful to me as well as someone just starting to get their feet wet in nail art?

First, I chose one of the designs in the Simple level...Checkerboard Nails.

This is a design I'd never actually done before and it was super easy to follow her instructions and end up with a cool result. Mind you, I did all of these fairly quickly - which is part of the "old dog, new tricks" thing. But I still think they turned out how I'd expect! And the next time I do them, I'll take more time to get them perfect.


Next, I chose an Intermediate design...Tweed.

I actually had done tweed nails before and she showed the steps in the book just like I do them myself. Super easy.


And finally, I chose an Advanced Design...Union Jack Nails.

I'd done these before several times as well, including a tutorial, and hers was just as simple and easy. Clear instructions and perfect photos of each step along the way.

So I'm happy with the preliminary information about nail care, tools, etc. And I'm happy with the clear, easy tutorials. What else?

I've already shown part of the Resources section that includes blogs, websites, retailers and recommended products. There's also a complete index at the end that makes everything easy to find.

Emily actually did a tremendous job on this book. You can tell she put the thought and care into it that would make even someone like me happy. The thing that struck me about it was that someone who had never done nail art before could pick it up and recreate the designs AND someone who does a lot of nail art could also pick it up for inspiration and ideas and not only re-create the designs but even expand on them. For instance, the tweed nails I chose to use different colors than shown in the book. Anyone will be able to adapt the designs into their own nail art regardless of skill level.

So for me, it gets two thumbs up. Or two rosettes. Or a michelin star. Or whatever the nail art book equivalent is. You get the idea.

This book is currently available on Amazon.com in Paperback AND Kindle for PRE-ORDER right now and at Barnes and Noble. The release date is set for January 6, 2015. (Hint, if you're an Amazon Prime member, you can pre-order for $12.71 instead of $16.95 retail. Same at Barnes & Noble!)

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