Summer Nail Tutorial with 3D Shells and Swirls

Incorporating 3D details can be an excellent way to add dimension and create fun nail designs. The summer season offers the perfect opportunity to experiment with 3D shapes using gel and create interesting and playful nail looks. This nail art tutorial will walk you through creating 3D shells and swirls that you can add to any beach or summer nail look.

Products You Will Need For 3D Nail Art:
JIN.B Crazy Top Gel (Standard)
Long Liner Brush
Flash Cure Light

3D Shells

First, prep the nails. Apply base gel and cure for 60 seconds.

Apply base gel color or color design of choice. For this particular nail look, we are using BY MUSE syrup gel color BS.01 as the base. Cure for 60 seconds. Then, using BY MUSE syrup gel color BS.02, create a gradient effect using our syrup gel gradation tutorial.

Apply a top coat and cure for 60 seconds. 

To create the shell texture, dip the liner brush at an angle into the JIN.B Crazy Top Gel (Standard). Lift the brush from the gel and hold the brush for 1-2 seconds to allow the gel to form a dollop at the end of the brush. Starting at the center and free edge of the nail, place the dollop on the nail and slowly drag the brush towards the base of the nail, creating an elongated teardrop shape on the center of the nail. 

Flash cure for 5-10 seconds using the flash cure light.

Repeat the above method to create the seashell texture on the nail, placing the dollop at the free edge of the nail and dragging the brush towards the base of the nails towards the center. It is important to flash cure after each dollop and line placement to prevent the gel shape from leveling. Once all the 3D lines have been placed on the nail, cure the nail for 60 seconds.

3D Swirls

The method for applying 3D swirls is very similar to applying 3D shell texture. Start off by prepping the nails and applying base gel. Cure for 60 seconds.

Next, apply the desired base gel color or color design of choice. We are using BY MUSE syrup gel color BS.01 as the base and BY MUSE syrup gel color BS.031 to create a gradation effect.

Apply a top coat and cure for 60 seconds. 

For the 3D swirls, dip the liner brush at an angle into the JIN.B Crazy Top Gel (Standard). Lift the brush from the gel and hold the brush for 1-2 seconds to allow a dollop to form at the end of the brush. Apply the dollop onto the nail as desired. Drag the brush in a curved motion to form a swirl. Flash cure for 5-10 seconds using the flash cure light. Repeat this step to create more 3D swirls as desired, flash curing after each swirl placement.

After applying the 3D swirls as desired, cure the nail for 60 seconds. 

Whether you choose to use these methods to create accent nails or for a full nail look, 3D shells and swirls are a fun way to create a fun summer nail set. Try using other syrup colors or magnetic gel as the base color or design for beautiful alluring effects. Happy summer!