About This Treatment
This session took place with our nailist Nami in charge. The guest, visiting from the United Kingdom, chose our Full Design Light menu. The appointment began with the removal of soft gel from a previous set, followed by a fresh design.
Design Points
A plaid is drawn freehand across every nail in pencil-thin lines — pink, blue, green and yellow crossing over a milky white base. The lines are deliberately uneven, which is what gives the pattern its hand-drawn, coloured-pencil quality.
Small stars and dots in green, red, blue and silver are placed at some of the intersections, one or two per nail. Because the base is pale and the lines are fine, ten nails of pattern still read as light rather than busy.
A Note From the Visit
The guest mentioned this was the first time she had ever seen colored-pencil nail art, and she was genuinely delighted to watch the effect come together. It was a nice moment to share a technique that felt new and unexpected to her during her trip to Japan.
Care and Style Tips
Colored-pencil style designs rely on delicate layering, so they suit anyone who enjoys a soft, artistic look over bold, high-shine finishes. To keep this kind of gel set looking its best, apply cuticle oil daily and wear gloves for tasks like dishwashing. A soft gel set generally holds well for around three to four weeks, depending on nail growth and daily habits. When it’s time to change the design, a proper salon soak-off is gentler on the natural nail than peeling it away at home.
Comment From Your Nailist, Nami
The appeal of the colored-pencil technique is in the fine strokes, so I built up thin layers slowly to keep that soft, drawn texture visible rather than letting the color flatten out. Seeing a guest react to a style she hadn’t come across before makes the detailing work especially satisfying.
Book Your Visit at lull.
You can reserve your appointment online. We would be happy to plan a design with you during your stay in Harajuku. For our latest finished work, take a look at our Instagram (@nail_lull.tokyo) and TikTok (@nail_lull.tokyo).
