Multiple Style Nail Applique

Abstract

A nail appliqué and a method for decorating a natural fingernail or toenail. The nail appliqué generally has a distal end, a proximal end opposite the distal end, a distal decorative portion disposed adjacent the distal end and a proximal decorative portion disposed adjacent the proximal end. The nail appliqué has a length greater than the length of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be attached. The distal end has a convex curvature substantially matching the curvature of the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied and the proximal end has a convex curvature substantially matching the curvature of the distal end such that either the distal end or the proximal end of the appliqué can be applied to the same fingernail or toenail.

1 . A nail appliqué comprising a substrate adapted for application to a fingernail or a toenail of a wearer, the substrate being defined by:
 a distal end having a convex curvature with respect to a center of the substrate, said convex curvature of said distal end substantially matching the curvature of the cuticle end of the fingernail or toenail to which the appliqué is to be applied; 
 a proximal end opposite said distal end, said proximal end having a convex curvature with respect to the center of the substrate, said convex curvature of said proximal end substantially matching said convex curvature of said distal end such that either said distal end or said proximal end of said substrate can be applied to the same fingernail or toenail; 
 a customizing length defined as the total distance between said distal end and said proximal end, said center of the substrate being the mid-point of said length; 
 a distal decorative portion disposed adjacent said distal end; 
 a proximal decorative portion disposed adjacent said proximal end; and 
 a central decorative portion disposed between said distal decorative portion and said proximal decorative portion, said central decorative portion visually contrasting with said distal decorative portion and said proximal decorative portion. 
 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A nail appliqué as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said distal decorative portion has a length defined between said distal end and said central decorative portion and said proximal decorative portion has a length defined between said proximal end and said central decorative portion, both said length of said distal decorative portion and said length of said proximal decorative portion being shorter than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . A nail appliqué as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said length of said distal decorative portion is less than said length of said proximal decorative portion. 
     
     
         7 . A nail appliqué as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said distal decorative portion has a length defined between said distal end and said central decorative portion, and said proximal decorative portion has a length defined between said proximal end and said central decorative portion, said length of said distal decorative portion being greater than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate and said length of said proximal decorative portion being less than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate. 
     
     
         8 . A nail appliqué as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said distal decorative portion is separated from said central decorative portion by a distal dividing line and said proximal decorative portion is separated from said central decorative portion by a proximal dividing line, said distal dividing line having a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said proximal end, whereby said distal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides with respect to a point within said distal decorative portion, and said proximal dividing line having a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said distal end, whereby said proximal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides with respect to a point within said proximal decorative portion. 
     
     
         9 . A nail appliqué as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said distal decorative portion is separated from said central decorative portion by a distal dividing line and said proximal decorative portion is separated from said central decorative portion by a proximal dividing line, said distal dividing line having a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said proximal end, whereby said distal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides with respect to a point within said distal decorative portion, and said proximal dividing line having a curvature corresponding to said curvature of said distal end, whereby said proximal decorative portion is defined by opposite convex sides with respect to a point within said proximal decorative portion. 
     
     
         10 . A nail appliqué as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said distal decorative portion visually contrasts with said proximal decorative portion. 
     
     
         11 . A nail appliqué as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said distal decorative portion has a length defined between said distal end and said proximal decorative portion and said proximal decorative portion has a length defined between said proximal end and said distal decorative portion, said length of said distal decorative portion being greater than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate and said length of said proximal decorative portion being less than the distance between said distal or proximal end to the center of the substrate. 
     
     
         12 - 23 . (canceled)