Pigments for Nail Art

Pigments for Nail Art

Nail art demands more from a pigment than almost any other application. Film thicknesses run as thin as 10–100 μm, yet the visual effect has to read instantly — strong color, sharp shimmer, or a clean mirror finish with no compromise on clarity. At Kolortek, we supply effect pigments specifically selected and tested for nail polish, gel systems, acrylics, dipping powders, and nail art formats, covering every major effect category the professional nail market requires.

Effect Technologies in This Category

The range covers cat eye / magnetic effects, chrome and mirror finishes, aurora and opalescent shimmer, holographic rainbow dispersion, chameleon color-shift, pearlescent and metallic effects, glitter, and three-dimensional textural effects. Each technology has its own formulation logic. Cat eye pigments, for example, require magnetic orientation — a neodymium magnet held 2–5 mm above the wet surface for 5–15 seconds, with immediate cure after orientation. Chrome and aurora rub-on powders are applied dry over a cured no-wipe top coat and sealed in. These are not interchangeable techniques, and selecting the right grade starts with knowing exactly which system you're working in.

Solvent resistance is a hard requirement for any pigment going into a nail lacquer or gel formula. Traditional polishes contain ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, and acetone — and a pigment that bleeds or shifts in those solvents fails at the lab stage. We designate solvent-resistant grades explicitly. Within the Aurora range, for instance, the ARS6*** and CandyPlus ARS21**/ARS31** series are solvent-resistant and suitable for lacquer suspension; the AM***/AM2*** multicolor series are not, and are limited to rub-on application only.

Key Product Series

Our 3D Cat Eye Magnetic range (3D-MG1**, 3D-MG2**S for nail printing inks) covers particle sizes from 5 μm up to 150 μm depending on the finish — fine grades for smooth gel polish, coarser grades for high-flash effects. The ChromaPlus C150*** / C1525** cosmetic-grade chameleon series (10–75 μm) is formulated for skin-safe gel and premium polish use, while the industrial KT-9000 series covers nail polish, gel, and dip powder applications where cosmetic-grade compliance is not the priority. For holographic effects, the KT-HL001 and Holo Colorshift CH301–CH308 series deliver spectral rainbow dispersion at 10–60 μm. Mirror finishes are handled by the Metasilver and Moonlight Mirror MB100–MB400 series, with particle sizes starting at 10 μm for a fine chrome effect. Dipping and acrylic powder systems are supported by dedicated KT-DP (42 colors, 55–110 μm) and KT-AC (15+ colors, 60–110 μm) lines.

Regulatory and Supply Considerations

Cosmetic-grade pigments in this category are produced under cosmetic GMP standards and supported with documentation for EU (EC No 1223/2009), US FDA, Japanese PMD Act, and China CSAR requirements. Biodegradable glitter grades are available for formulators working ahead of ECHA microplastic restrictions. Where a formulator needs a direct alternative to an existing benchmark grade, we maintain cross-references to major industry standards including Merck Iriodin® to simplify sourcing transitions. Small-batch orders are accommodated for R&D and niche brand development — talk to our application team about sample availability and technical support.