
          Beautiful! That looks really  like a lot of work, this artwork on your nails! "Gold × Camellia,"  designed for kimono occasions by Megumi Furukawa of "1st Choice Nails."
                
The Japanese nail art scene is presumably one of the most vibrants in the world. Why? Look at the hordes of Shibuya garu  that practically live to care about their looks! It has to be more than  just nail stickers for casual nail fashion; salons are dotted all about  town to enhance you with the most elaborately designed nail chips.  Today, PingMag had our nails done by Megumi Furukawa of 1st Choice Nails and asked her all about creative stereoscopic nail art!
    
Nail chips habitually used by many women (and some men, of course)  are artificial nails with stylish designs that only need to be glued to  your natural nails to glam up the fingertips. Many of Megumi’s nail  chips are designed with a sense of season or with different styles to  suit a variety of fashions just like jewellery and accessories.
  
  White (plastic) wedding! A set of  made-to-order nail chips called “Real Lace × White Rose.” Apparently,  very popular for this special occasion.
  
To Match the Overall Appearance
  
Megumi says: “When I think of a design, I’m most inspired by  large-scale needlework shops, where I can expand my images just by  looking at laceworks and needlecraft supplies. For made-to-order nail  chips, I usually ask for a photo of the actual dress or kimono the  client is going to wear and then think of the image, colours, and the  overall design to suit the client’s request.”
    Kawaii! Goldfish swim in softened water colours - over your fingers.
Intricate Sakura, cherry blossoms, all together with a cloisonné nail piece. Oh my!
A traditional pattern based on the colour purple, a noble colour in Japan.
A motif with dolphin illustrations carried over all of the nails.
According to Megumi, though stereoscopic and Japanesque  designs are popular over here they are still rare in other countries.  That is why foreign visitors are often puzzled to see this delicate art.  Look at these works by Megumi Furukawa: nail art on a high level of  sophistication!
  
  Wow! Another beautiful, Japanese hydrangea-themed design on a stylish black background.
  No Nail Art Boundaries
  Megumi Furukawa: “These days, there is no stereotypical  thinking on what nail art should be. I usually design something that  basically looks cute or something that makes people want to try it on  rather than anything eccentric or unique and artistic. Moreover, I would  be even happier if men appreciate more women wearing my nail chips and  regard that as sexy, charming and sophisticated.”
  
  A walking Christmas tree! A set of Christmas nail chips in a strong festive red. Look at those tiny, delicate frost patterns!
  
  Gorgeous crown jewellery to go with your ball gown!
  The Science of Making
  3d nail art with stereoscopic designs is made by quickly  applying a paint-like substance called ‘mixture’ over the nails and  forming the shape you want before drying. When creating designs such as  flowers, each part is made individually in advance, then put together  and glued on to the nail chip.
Megumi: “3d art takes about three to four minutes to make but  more detail requires around twenty minutes. However, a 10-piece set of  nail chips with rhinestones and lots of other decorations requires about  two hours to make, more elaborate designs even take around three hours  to finish.”
  
  “Pink × Black with Cherry” to bring out the beauty of cherry blossoms! Colourful!
  
  This is definitely for a kimono occasion: “Purple × Pink Japanese.” Unfortunately, already sold out!
  Megumi Furukawa’s uber stylish designs can instantly change the  ambience of people’s hands - what a titillating attraction for feminine  psychology! Do the guys agree on that?
  Roses! Roses! Roses! How romantic! Need we say more?
Furukawa: “The greatest appeal of nail art lies in its way of  allowing women to be feminine. Even a light manicure makes women  conscious of their feminine demeanour. This is my greatest pleasure!”
  
Megumi Furukawa of 1st Choice Nails, thank you very much for your time! You absolutely have to show us more of your beautiful creative nail art.