Artificial nail and method for applying same

Abstract

An artificial fingernail includes an opaque crescent-shaped lunula portion at a proximal end thereof, an opaque nail tip portion at a distal end thereof opposite the lunula portion, a substantially clear and transparent nail bed portion between the lunula portion and the tip portion and a dividing line between the nail bed portion and the nail tip portion. The nail bed portion substantially corresponds to the nail bed of a natural fingernail and is applied over a natural fingernail. The nail tip portion includes a continuous opaque decoration which obscures a natural nail tip when the artificial fingernail is applied over a natural fingernail. The nail bed portion is substantially clear and transparent allowing the natural nail bed to be visible therethrough.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An artificial fingernail comprising: 
 an opaque crescent-shaped lunula portion at a proximal end thereof,    an opaque nail tip portion at a distal end thereof opposite the lunula portion;    a substantially clear and transparent nail bed portion between the lunula portion and the tip portion, the nail bed portion being adapted to be adhered to a natural fingernail to display at least a portion of the natural nail bed therethrough; and    a dividing line between the nail bed portion and the nail tip portion.    
     
     
         2 . The artificial fingernail as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the dividing line is at an angle with respect to a transition line of a natural nail from bed to tip when the artificial fingernail is applied over the natural fingernail.  
     
     
         3 . The artificial fingernail as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the dividing line is generally aligned with a transition line of a natural fingernail from bed to tip when the artificial fingernail is applied over the natural fingernail.  
     
     
         4 . The artificial fingernail as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the opaque lunula portion and the opaque nail tip portion comprise paint covering a substantial portion thereof, to give the appearance of a french manicure.  
     
     
         5 . The artificial fingernail as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the paint is white.  
     
     
         6 . The artificial fingernail as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising decorative designs applied over the entire fingernail.  
     
     
         7 . The artificial fingernail as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a transparent sealer applied over the artificial nail.