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How to Do Nail 3D Gel Nail Art At Home

Written by: Merilin Notton

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Time to read 8 min

We're back with another TikTok-fluenced nail trend, and this time, it's all about 3D gel nail art.


We know this one's been around for a little while now, but we think it's one of the best nail trends to come from 2024.


Not only does it add dimension and texture to your nails, but it also allows for endless creativity and personalisation. Plus, you can create your very own from the comfort of your own home.


Gone are the days of needing to book spenny salon appointments and waiting for hours to get your nails done. You can do our own 3D nail art at home, and we're here to show you how.

What is 3D Nail Art?

3D nail art is exactly what it sounds like – creating three-dimensional designs on your nails.

Some of the most popular looks we've seen come from this trend include:

  • Seashell nails

  • Flower petals

  • Knitted sweater nails

  • 3D French tips

The aim of the game is to create a design that literally pops off your nails, and there are a variety of ways you can do this.

How to Do 3D Nails At Home

You can create easy 3D nail art using gems and decals, like diamonds, little bows, and flowers.


You can even use Mylee Magic Extender Gel and Clear Builder Gel to create 3D shapes onto your nails, too.


After sculpting your 3D shapes with Magic Extender Gel or painting with the Builder Gel and curing, you can use our Liner Gels or a liner brush dipped in your favourite gel colour to go over the three-dimensional art and add detail.

But if you want to take it to the next level, a 3D nail kit is your best friend.


Our 3D Nail Art Kit includes a 9mm Liner Brush, our handy Glitter Catcher pot, and 3D Powder – which is where the magic happens.


The 3D Nail Art Powder is essentially a fine substance that, when shaken over wet gel polish, mixes with the polish formula to 'set' the raised design into place. This means you can paint any design you like onto your nails, and the 3D Powder will bring it to life.


And because the powder is clear, you can use it with any gel polish colour, making the possibilities endless.

Step-by-Step: How to Use Our 3D Nail Art Kit

Follow our video tutorial below or read along with the step-by-step instructions...

Step 1) Prep your nails, then apply a layer of Base Coat Gel Polish and cure for 60 seconds under the Mylee LED Lamp (or 120 seconds under UV).


Step 2) Apply your chosen gel polish colour and cure for the same time.


Step 3) Apply a matte or glossy Top Coat Polish and cure again.


Step 4) Dip the 9mm Liner Brush into a gel colour (either the same as your base or a different shade), and paint your design onto your nails.


Step 5) Hold your finger over the Glitter Catcher and shake the 3D Powder over your design – be careful not to smudge the polish as it's not cured!


Step 6) Tap away any excess powder from your nail and cure.


Step 7) Soak Prep & Wipe on a Lint-Free Wipe to remove the tackiness.

3D Nail Art Designs to Recreate

If you're on the hunt for 3D nail design inspo, we've rounded up some of our favourites to get you started, along with what we used to create them.

3D Seashell Nails

@myleebeautyofficial Bringing the beach to you 🐚 Shell nails are giving us vacay vibes, even when we're desk-side & we’re here for it 💅 📹 - @follow_my_nail_journey 🤍  @Follow_my_nail_journey #mylee #lovemylee #myleebeauty #myleenails #gelnails #shellnails #3Dnails #trendingnails ♬ more than a woman ft. bee gees - sped up sounds🎧

These are probably some of the prettiest nails you ever did sea.


The talented Kate, aka @follow_my_nail_journey, created these summery 3D seashell nails using our Clear Builder Gel, and we're obsessed.


She's used the Builder Gel in to create a three-dimensional seashell, along with droplets of water and a starfish design.


Together, they create a mermaid-inspired mani that's perfect for lounging by the pool or heading down to the beach.


Products used in this look:

Cherry Blossom Nails

@myleebeautyofficial Keeping up manis with @haileybieber 🌸 📹 - @gelsbyflorence using Light Pink Builder Gel, Break The Ice, Candy Girl & Crown Jewels 💅 #mylee #lovemylee #myleebeauty #myleenails #gelnails #floralnails #haileybieber #haileybiebernails ♬ original sound - Myleebeauty

If you don't want to go all out with your 3D nail art, you'll love these cute cherry blossom nails.


The incredible @gelsbyflorence has created this beautiful set using our Light Pink Builder Gel, Break The Ice, Candy Girl and the little gems from our Crown Jewels kit.


She's used the gems in the middle of the flowers for a subtle 3D effect that adds just the right amount of dimension to her design.


Products used in this look:

3D Floral Nail Art

A French mani with a floral twist? It's a big YES from us.


@nails_byanniebey has used our 3D Powder to create little 3D flowers on the tips of her nails, and it's such a simple but stunning design.


She's opted for pastel shades It's A Match, Freshly Squeezed, Guilty Pleasure, and Candy Girl for the flower petals, but you could switch up the colours and create a whole new vibe with this design.


Products used in this look:

3D Strawberry Nails

It doesn't get much sweeter than these 3D strawberry nails.


@nailpolished_life has used our striking red French Cancan Polish, along with Liner Gels in Buttercup and Green There Done That for the seeds and leaves over the top of the Clear Builder Gel.


You could even have a go at creating different fruit designs, like pineapples, watermelons, and oranges, using a similar technique to this one.


Products used in this look:

3D Bow Nail Art

@myleebeautyofficial Being THAT girly with a 3D manicure ✨ Looking for a new 3D nail method? You need to try our Magic Extender Gel to create the viral 3D gel effect 🌸- peep the collection at 20% off now in our Spring into Summer Sale 🤩 Link in bio to shop 🛍 📹 - @follow_my_nail_journey #mylee #nails #gelnails #newnails #floralnails #springnails #3dnails #trendingnails #pinknails #frenchmanicure #sale ♬ original sound - Myleebeauty

We love the bow trend that's been taking over the fashion scene, and what better way to incorporate it into your everyday look than with 3D bow nail art?


This pretty set created by @follow_my_nail_journey combines little 3D bows, stars, and flowers to create the ultimate cool girl mani.


She's used our Magic Extender Gel to sculpt the 3D shapes before painting them with a range of our pink gel colours.


Products used in this look:

3D Flower Nail Art

If you want to get really creative with your 3D nail art, have a go at recreating this set magicked up by @_jtxnails.


She's kept a clear base for her nails, letting the 3D art do the talking. Using our Builder Gel in Clear, she's created layered droplet and flower designs, using shades Custard, Candy Girl, Lilac U A Lot, and Break The Ice.


Products used in this look:

The Roundup: Creating Stunning 3D Gel Nail Art At Home

So there you have it, your ultimate guide to nailing 3D gel nail art at home.


We hope this has inspired you to get creative and try out some of the designs we've showcased, or even come up with your own unique creations!


You can follow us over on TikTok for even more nail art inspo and tutorials, or tag us in your creations on Instagram @MyleeBeautyOfficial.


And don’t forget to grab our 3D gel essentials to get creating your own stunning 3D designs at home! Happy nail art-ing!

FAQs

What do I need to do 3D nail art?

Our 3D Nail Art Kit has everything you need to get started, including a 9mm Liner Brush, Glitter Catcher pot, and 3D Powder. The 3D Powder is the key ingredient in creating raised designs on your nails, and the 9mm Liner Nail Brush is perfect for painting intricate designs.


All you need is your favourite Mylee gel polish colours, and the possibilities are endless.

Do you put a top coat over 3D nail art?

You only put Top Coat on top of nail art created with Builder Gel or Magic Extender Gel. We recommend our No Wipe Top Coat for this.


For 3D Powder-created looks, you need to use a Top Coat before applying the details with 3D Powder – the best effect comes with our Matte Top Coat.

How long does 3D nail art last?

Your 3D mani can last for up to 3 weeks if you've followed proper prep and application! We recommend following our video tutorials for long-lasting, salon-quality nails.

Can you use nail glue for 3D art?

You can use nail glue to stick gems and decals to your nails, but not for creating the raised designs.

What gel do I need to use for 3D nail art?

Our Clear Builder Gel is great for creating 3D nail art. Simply paint your design with a liner brush or dotting tool and flash cure under your lamp. You can then use our Liner Gels or a clean liner brush dipped in your favourite gel colour to go over the raised design.


Our Magic Extender Gel can also be used to sculpt out 3D designs, like bows and flowers, which you can also paint over with gel colours for a beautiful finish.

Merilin Notton

Merilin Notton

As the Head of Brand at Mylee, Merilin is a seasoned beauty industry professional with a strong passion for nail art. 

With a background as a licensed beautician and a track record of shaping and elevating beauty brands, Merilin is dedicated to empowering individuals to express themselves through nail art, making them a driving force behind Mylee's success in the beauty industry.

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