Nail art is everywhere these days. This is cool. It is very stylish. But what about a 3D manicure? It’s next level. Now stop painting and start sculpting. You can add pearls, crystals and ribbons to your fingertips.
It can seem scary. You might think you need a professional studio to do this. you don’t. All you need is the right tools and a little patience. With a few tips, you can create a unique design that’s perfect for a date night or a long girls’ night out.
My sister Amanda Levine knows that. She is a master nail artist. Every time I see her, she has new designs. She shared her secrets. Now I share it with you.
Where can I get nail polish accessories?
Before you start designing, understand what you’re working with. Supplies can be found at beauty supply stores such as Sally Beauty Supply. There is also a pharmacy. Look for beads, ribbons, appliqués and micro-reliefs.
For Swarovski crystals, Amanda recommends Artbeads.com. It’s cheaper this way. Buy the smallest ones they have. Large crystals look unnatural. Small ones look expensive.
You also need a good primer. Choose some colors. Apply a clear top coat. Black and white varnishes are fun basic colors. It makes other colors pop. The last item on the list is nail glue. Use those specially designed for artificial nails. It can be bought at beauty supply stores and pharmacies.
Basic 3D nail art techniques
This is an easy way to build a design.
- Apply nail polish. Start with neutral colors. Black, white or pastel colors are suitable. You can be dramatic if you want.
- Add the decorations. If you are using light materials such as glitter, use wet nail polish as an adhesive. it works. For heavier items like pearls or crystals, wait until the polish has dried. Then attach them with nail glue.
- Seal it up. Finally, apply top coat. This will ensure that the art is properly attached to your nail. There is one exception. Bows. Do not use top coat on the Bows tie. It crushes them. They look funky.
Advanced manicure concepts
Once you learn about it, get creative. If you want to mix things up, try these tips:
– Use two colors. ** Draw one or two accent fingers in different ways. Choose contrasting colors or coordinate with other colors. The pinky or ring finger is good for accentuating the nails.
– Play with colors. ** You can add pink crystals to each nail. Or you can mix shades. Try the Gradient effect. Place the brightest pink crystal on your little finger. Darken until your thumb is the darkest color. Stylish and effortless.
–Make nail caviar. ** Use nail glue to attach the cake candies to the nails. Yes, cake sprinkles. Give it a festive look with a clear coat of polish. Or use an opaque varnish to look like caviar. You can also do this with salt. It gives an interesting texture.
– Connect. **Decorations are sold as a set. It doesn’t have to be used that way. Place the zebra sticker next to the neon beads. Add glitter before a bow. Let’s see what happens.
Need more ideas? Check out SloDive or Nail Art 101. Nail art is fun. experiment. See what works for you.
