Artificial nail

Abstract

An artificial fingernail comprises a body having a base portion extending from a rear edge to a tip portion which extends to a front edge. The base portion is configured to cover only the tip portion of a natural nail and has a crescent shape such that the body at the first and second sides extends distal of a portion of the body at the base edge between the first and second sides. In one embodiment, an artificial nail has a substantially transparent base portion through which the tip of a natural nail may be viewed. The artificial fingernail has a substantially opaque tip portion which includes one or more decorative elements. In one embodiment, the artificial nail has a tapered rear edge. A tapered area or extension defines a terminus of the base portion for use in aligning the artificial nail over a natural nail.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A decorative element for a natural nail comprising: 
 a body having a front edge, an opposing rear edge, a first side and an opposing second side, base portion extending from said rear edge to a tip portion which extends to said front edge, said base portion configured to cover only the tip portion of a natural nail and said tip portion configured to extend beyond said tip portion of said natural nail, said base edge a crescent shape such that said body at said first and second sides extends distal of a portion of said body at said base edge between said first and second sides, said base portion increasing in thickness moving from said rear edge towards said front edge.    
     
     
         2 . The decorative element in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said body is molded as a single element.  
     
     
         3 . The decorative element in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said base portion is substantially transparent and said tip portion is substantially opaque.  
     
     
         4 . The decorative element in accordance with  claim 3  wherein artwork is applied to said tip portion.  
     
     
         5 . The decorative element in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said body curves downwardly moving from said rear edge to said front edge.  
     
     
         6 . The decorative element in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said body has a top surface and a bottom surface and a thickness between said surfaces, said thickness of said body in the area of said tip portion exceeding the thickness of said body in at least a portion of said base portion.  
     
     
         7 . The decorative element in accordance with  claim 6  wherein an increase in thickness between said base and tip portions defines a tapered area at said bottom surface of said body.  
     
     
         8 . A decorative element for a natural nail comprising: 
 a body having a front edge, an opposing rear edge, a first side and an opposing second side, a top surface and a bottom surface, a base portion and a tip portion, said base portion extending from said rear edge to said tip portion and said tip portion extending from said base portion to said front edge, said base portion being substantially transparent and including decorative artwork applied to said bottom surface of said body viewable through said tip portion.    
     
     
         9 . The decorative element in accordance with  claim 8  wherein a layer of material extends over at least a portion of said bottom surface of said body, said decorative artwork located between said body and said layer of material.  
     
     
         10 . The decorative element in accordance with  claim 8  wherein a layer of white paint is applied to said tip portion of said body.  
     
     
         11 . A method of enhancing the appearance of a fingernail comprising: 
 providing an artificial fingernail having a front edge, an opposing rear edge, a first side and an opposing second side, base portion extending from said rear edge to a tip portion which extends to said front edge, said base edge a crescent shape such that said body at said first and second sides extends distal of a portion of said artificial fingernail at said base edge between said first and second sides and said base portion increasing in thickness from said rear edge moving towards said front edge, said artificial nail including pre-applied artwork associated with said tip portion;    locating said base portion over the tip of a fingernail;    connecting said base portion to said tip of said fingernail;    trimming said tip portion of said body; and    applying a clear coating over the exposed portion of said fingernail and said body, whereby said natural nail is enhanced to include a decorated tip without having to hand-paint or apply decoration, and in a manner that said natural nail remains visible.    
     
     
         12 . The method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said connecting step comprises applying an adhesive between said base portion of said artificial fingernail and said fingernail tip.  
     
     
         13 . The method in accordance with  claim 11  wherein said increasing thickness of said base portion defines a tapered area at a bottom surface of said body and said location step comprises aligning an end of said tip of said fingernail with said tapered area.