The short answer: yes, bring one. A nail art reference photo is the fastest way to get what you pictured, and your technician can tell you straight away what will and will not work at the length you want. At NAB Nail Bar the art is hand-painted and sculpted on the nail, so your artist adapts the photo to your own nail shape and length rather than copying it from a template.
Below: what to put in your photos, how your nails change the result, what it costs and who to book. For the full service, see our custom nail art service.
A reference photo is the quickest way to explain a design
Describing nail art in words is hard. “Pink with some flowers” can mean a dozen different sets. A photo shows the colour, the finish, the shape and the amount of detail in one go, so the conversation at the start of your appointment is about how to build it, not what you meant.
It also gets you an honest answer early. Your technician can look at the photo and your nails together and tell you what will translate, what needs changing and what will not hold up at the length you want.
What to put in your nail art reference photos
A screenshot of a trend you have seen is fine, and so is a photo of a set you have worn before. A few things make the photo more useful:
- Pick one or two photos, not twenty. If you love parts of several sets, say which part of each one you want.
- Show the detail you care about. A close-up of the art matters more than a styled photo of the whole outfit.
- Say what you like about it. The colour, the chrome, the 3D flowers, the French line? Pointing it out saves guesswork.
- Bring something for the occasion. For a wedding, our wedding nails page suggests a photo of the dress, the bouquet, the colour palette, or a set you have seen and liked.
Your nail length and shape decide how the photo translates
A lot of the sets you see online are long, and the art is sized for that length. Our artists adapt a design to your nail length and shape, which is why the same photo can look a little different on a short square set than on a long stiletto.
Tell your technician what you do all day. Jimmy asks you to tell him what you do all day (typing, lifting, hair, childcare) and will tell you honestly what length will survive it. Lundin will tell you honestly how a detailed design will wear at the length you want. If you have a specific shape or finish in mind, Nga will tell you whether it will hold up on your nail length.
The base matters too. Custom art can go onto acrylic, Gel X or your natural nails, and heavier sculpted work such as 3D florals, bows and layered charms sits best on acrylic or hard gel. Not sure which system to start from? Our gel nails compared guide sets out each option.
Short nails can still carry the design
Fine-line art, French variations, chrome and small accent designs all work on short almond or square sets. Detailed 3D work needs surface area, so on shorter nails Asia will usually suggest art on two feature nails instead of all ten.
3D flowers are also more fragile than a flat design, which is why most clients put them on two or three accent nails. If you are hard on your hands, ask Kira to keep the art lower-profile. More on raised work on our 3D nail art page.
Hand-painted art is adapted, not copied
Freestyle art at NAB is designed on the nail rather than copied from a template. Asia paints by hand rather than working from stencils or stickers, so no two sets are identical. That is the point of bringing a photo: it gives your artist the direction, and they build it to fit your hands.
If you do not have a photo, that is fine as well. Jimmy, Nora and Kira all say the same thing on their pages: bring a reference photo or design it with them in the chair.
Get a quote from your photo before you come in
Art is reflected in the set price rather than billed separately, and every technician sets their own rates. These are starting prices from our pricing page:
- Duck Nail Full Set from $95
- Full Set — Ombre from $110
- Full Set — Freestyle from $120
- Full Set — Art & Designs from $130
- Full Set — Freestyle Long from $150
- Full Set — Sculpted from $160
The final price moves with length, shape and how much hand-painted or sculpted detail you want. Call (702) 577-1680, describe the design and we will quote you before you come in. Your artist will also confirm the price with you before starting.
Book the right amount of chair time for art
Most full sets with art run about two to two and a half hours. Heavy 3D work, charms and crystal placement take longer, so tell us when you book that you want detailed art, and how many nails you want it on, and we will set aside the chair time.
Walk-ins are welcome whenever a chair is free, but detailed art is best booked ahead so your artist has time to design it properly. If you are coming after 9 PM, call ahead. The last appointment is at 10:30 PM.
Who to book when you have a reference photo
Every technician has their own page with a gallery of their real work. Browse the technicians page and book the one whose style matches your photo. These artists specifically ask for reference or inspiration photos on their pages:
- Lundin: character and inspo-photo work, plus long sculpted acrylics with hand-sculpted 3D florals and charms.
- Asia: hand-painted freestyle art and extensive 3D work on long acrylic or Gel X sets; she adapts reference photos to your nail shape and length.
- Charlene: freestyle long nails and custom nail art on Gel X or acrylic; bring reference photos and she adapts them to your nail shape.
- Kira: 3D flowers plus French, chrome, ombré and hand-painted detail on acrylic, gel or Gel X.
- Jimmy: long acrylic, Gel X and poly gel sets with hand-painted freestyle art.
- Nora: freestyle art on hard gel, soft gel and Gel X. Nora works limited days each month, so check her availability first.
- Nga: short almond and builder gel sets; bring inspiration photos for the shape or finish you want.
If you are not sure who fits, call and describe what you want and we will match you.
Bring your photo to NAB Nail Bar
Save your photos to your phone before you arrive and show them at the start of the appointment. Read more about the service on our custom nail art page, or call (702) 577-1680. NAB Nail Bar, 8891 W Flamingo Rd, Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89147, in the Pageantry Flamingo Center with free parking outside. Open Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 11 PM. Closed Sunday.
Nail art reference photo: questions
Can I bring a reference photo for my nail art?
Yes, please do. A reference photo is the fastest way to get what you pictured, and your technician can tell you straight away what will and will not work at the length you want. A screenshot of a trend you have seen is fine.
Will my nails look exactly like the photo?
Your artist adapts the design to your nail shape and length, and the art is hand-painted rather than copied from a template, so expect it to be built to fit your nails. If something in the photo will not hold up at your length, your technician will tell you before starting.
How much does nail art from a photo cost?
Art is reflected in the set price. Freestyle full sets start from $120 and art and designs from $130, and the final price moves with length, shape and detail. Call (702) 577-1680, describe the design and we will quote you before you come in.
How long does a nail art appointment take?
Most full sets with art run about two to two and a half hours. Heavy 3D work, charms and crystal placement take longer, so mention the art and how many nails you want it on when you book.