3D Acrylic Ribbon
3D acrylic nail art is very popular in Japan right now, and lately it’s starting to show up in the United States. All you need to participate in this unique and fun trend is acrylic liquid, acrylic powder, and a nail brush. If you’re on a budget, I’ve found that a regular rounded paintbrush, (for watercolor or acrylic paint) with a good sharp point works well, and can be purchased for only about $6 at any craft store like Michaels.
I’m going to expain step-by-step how to make a 3D acrylic ribbon, though these techniques can be applied to any subject, really. In another post I’ll show you how to make 3D flowers, which are another popular design.
Start by painting your entire nail with any regular pink nail polish.
Using any white nail polish, paint a flowing stripe across the nail diagonally. The cinched part in the middle is where we will be creating our 3D ribbon. Make a soft curved stripe, not harsh triangles, because the goal is to create something resembling the flowing tails of a tied ribbon.
These are the items you will need to purchase to create 3D nail art. An acrylic liquid, an acrylic powder and a nail brush that tapers to a point. Have a piece of paper towel handy for dabbing off excess liquid as well.
The standard colors for acrylic powder are light pink, clear and white. (However, with the start of this new nail trend colored powders are becoming available as well. My set is from Japan, but colored acrylic can be found on Amazon if you live in the states. I just ordered a strong blue off of Amazon recently, and it was only $11.
Wet your nail brush in the acrylic liquid, then lightly touch the tip of your wet brush into your acrylic powder to pick up a little “ball.” The powder will stick to the wet brush though you may need to very slightly wiggle the very tip of your brush around to create a “ball.”
Touch the acrylic “ball” to your nail and it will stick.
Dip your brush in the acrylic liquid again to clean it off and then very lightly push down on your 3D design to shape it. Nudging in the corners and dragging out edges will let you create any shape you wish. Today, we’re going for a triangle shape.
Create the same shape on the other side.
Stick a jewel, a decorative pearl, or a round acrylic ball in the center to complete your ribbon design.
This next bit is optional, but to complete this design you can attach gemstones along the edge of your painted “ribbon.”
Do the same along the bottom edge of your design.
The finished result! you can apply a clear topcoat over the entire nail to seal in your gemstones and protect your design.
I don’t recommend trying this on every single nail, but with nine or ten pink nails and one or two of these fancy ones, you’ll have a cute matching set that is sure to get you compliments.
Advice:
-If your acrylic “ball” is mushy and cannot be shaped, it is too wet. Let it sit for just a moment on your nail and try to shape it again after some of the acrylic liquid has evaporated. If this happens to you frequently, dab your brush onto your paper towel before dipping into the acrylic powder.
-Purchase a set of cheap fake nails from any drugstore to practice on until you master the consistency you’ll need to create shapes.
-Use a little throwaway dish or container for your acrylic liquid. Pour out a little bit to use each time you give yourself a manicure. The first time I tried 3D acrylic art I dipped directly into the bottle and dirtied up the liquid so much it became unusable. Now I pour out a little bit and dispose of it when I’m finished.
-Clean your brush well! Acrylic liquid, when combined with the powder, will set to a rock-hard substance very quickly. After creating a design swirl your brush into your acrylic liquid to make sure all the powder has come off. Never set a brush with liquid and powder on it aside while you finish painting the rest of your nails. When you are finished with your manicure, wash your brush out with hand-soap and water. I made the mistake of not dabbing into the acrylic liquid after each design, and I ended up with “cement-bristles,” which is every bit as useful as it sounds.
Have fun! It takes a little practice but once you master the technique you’ll be able to make anything!
Tags: 3D Acrylic, Gems, Paintbrush, Ribbon
July 14th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Thats a really in depth tutorial you have there. A really good one to help teach people about nail art by using simple steps.
Keep up the good work :)
July 14th, 2008 at 4:33 am
BOY, you muster far more than I expected !!
I went to see 3D with you but still having problem.
And you not just can but far better than we saw.
When I go home, you must do my nail for me - I will bring something going in Japan part for you.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASAMI
MOM
September 15th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
adorable tutorial! how do you remove acrylic nail art off of natural nails?
September 15th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Jennifer,
Wow, that is a really great question that I probably should have addressed in the post. It didn’t occur to me to discuss that but it’s important.
The best thing about this sort of process is that it’s by no means damaging your real nails like acrylic sets can. We’re not “roughing up” your real nails first so the acrylic will stick better, and because we’re working over nail polish, the 3D acrylic embellishments aren’t actually touching your real nails at all.
You can dip your nails in nail polish remover or soak your nails under water to loosen up the 3D acrylic decoration, and it will pop right off with help from a metal nail file or orange stick, or anything similar. (Just pry up a corner and peel it right off.)
For me, I find the decorations just happen to disappear somewhere after about 5 days of normal wear. :)
September 17th, 2008 at 2:43 am
thanks for the reply! you’ve definitely inspired me to try my hand at acrylic art–i’m going to pick some up tomorrow :)
another question.. do you only use swarovski crystals or do you sometimes use acrylic rhinestones? i have tons of the latter, but i can never figure out a way to attach them without them becoming all dull and cloudy-looking. i love the look of lots of crystals, but swarovskis cost a little too much for me to justify buying them.
September 17th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Jennifer,
Most of my nail crystals are drugstore brand. :)
Do your gems become cloudy after you coat them with your topcoat, or from attaching them?
September 17th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
definitely from attaching them, and i just apply them right on top of wet polish as i’ve read was the proper method. they’re alright for a few seconds, then start to get dull. very frustrating :(
these are the kinds i use:
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z180/inailshop/RS08/36rs.jpg
also, what brand of gems do you get? aren’t the ones sold in drugstores fairly expensive?
September 18th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Oh, man. I was really hoping you’d say they get dull from your topcoat! Then I could say it’s just a loss of facets and you could try the less stable method of running your topcoat around the gem instead of over it.
But…that’s not the case. Honestly I’m not sure why your gems would be getting dull from attachment. How are you attaching them? If you’re using a sticky-stick that isn’t dry enough yet the semi-tacky clear on the end of the stick might be coating your gem’s surface. Or if you’re pressing them on with your finger your skin’s natural oils could be transferring onto your gem. Try picking up your gems with tweezers instead.
If it’s a chemical reaction between your nail polish and the silver-backing of your gems, rather than attaching your crystals to your wet polish wait for your polish to completely dry and dot a tiny bit of nail glue where you’re going to place your gemstones. Short of that not working - does this happen when you try a different company of crystals?
I’m not really sure what brand I pick up myself, but it’s probably like Nailene or Sally Hansen or something. One of those drugstore brands. There’s usually about 60 gems in a pack for a dollar. I don’t go through them very quickly so it’s pretty cheap.
Keep me updated on which of these tricks don’t work, and we’ll figure out what’s causing your crystal problem, okay?
-Asami.
September 19th, 2008 at 5:21 am
oh my god, it’s the crystals themselves. after some experimentation, i discovered that the foilback is not the problem.. i attached them on wet polish (and even krazy glue), and they were fine. it’s when i brush over them with a topcoat (i tried a few, seche vite included) do they start to dull up like CRAZY! like, they literally turn almost matte. i got that wheel on ebay from some seller in hong kong, and they refuse to refund me :( so now i have 1800 useless rhinestones.
and 60 for only a dollar? i’ve never seen them for so cheap! wherever you live, you’re lucky :)
thanks so much for all your help. you’re ridiculously sweet!
September 19th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Ah…the mystery is solved. I’m glad you figured it out. :)
Try Rite-Aid or CVS for cheap gems. Sally’s Beauty Supply has good quality ones but they are more expensive.
As far as the extra rhinestones go, you could super glue them onto a little makeup mirror or pencil box or a little girl’s cell phone. With no topcoat, of course. :)
-Asami.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:40 am
WOW, you are SUPER talented, Asami! I wish I can do these acrylic thing, I love them soo much!
I also have a problem with rhinestones, when I put them on, they come off really easily. I don’t know why, but when I had my nails done professionally, they’ll stick forever and ever. I tried using nail glue, and just using top coat, but neither works!
Do you have any tips?? I normally use swarovski rhinestones.
Also, how do you apply your nail polish so neatly? Mine’s always messed up esp around the cuticles.
Btw, please keep blogging, I love all your nail designs.
September 28th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Thank you, bellabella!
May I ask what kind of topcoat you’re using? Sometimes a second coat of clear topcoat can make a huge difference in keeping your gems on. Gemstones tend to stick much better to acrylic or gel than they do to nail polish or natural nails. Try to attach your rhinestones while your polish is still wet; I’ve never had great luck with nail glues.
If you’re doing 3D acrylic, attaching a gemstone to the center of a flower or something like that will work loads better than sticking the gems flat against your nail. The 3D acrylic will give you a very secure hold. The only downside is you have to set the gem in the acrylic fast before it hardens. That might be the best way to get the same staying power you do from a professional manicure. :)
As for tips about applying nail polish neatly, this post might be helpful: http://asami.choseit.com/lets-pretend-were-ambidextrous/
Mostly though, don’t worry about getting polish on your cuticles. Just clean up afterwards with a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover and it won’t matter at all as long as your nails get covered. :)
September 29th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Hi Asami, I use Opi topcoat. I normally stick them on while the polish is still wet, and add an another layer of topcoat the day after. I guess maybe I should just put up with it then, I love the shine :)
Thanks so much for the help!
September 30th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Help, I’m really confused, I need to buy a kit for the 3d acrylic art, but am really confused as there are many varieties available for sale. Which brush do you normally use? Thanks!!
October 1st, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Bellabella,
I use paintbrushes as my 3D acrylic nail art brushes. They’re made of the same synthetic sable hair but for some reason they cost less. Beauty supply shops will be expensive. I’d suggest taking a stroll around Michaels as a very nice paintbrush from there should only be about 10 dollars. Make sure you purchase a rounded brush and not one with flat bristles.
If you’ve found a kit that already contains a brush and everything you need, that might work just fine. The kits I’ve seen usually have brushes that are a bit too large for the 3D designs I like to wear though, so if you’re having significant trouble you might try downsizing your brush. A kit sounds like a great way to get some powder and liquid to start you off. :)
March 30th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I LOVE how You do Your Nails!!!!!! Your balance with light colors and highlighted by Your Skin Tone makes PERFECT EYE CANDY!!!!!!!
May 30th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
omgoshh i la-la-loveee this ! you are so very talented btw (: its a verrry cute design andd im defoo going to try this sooon .
thanx again !
xxo
August 10th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
You’re back!!! I’ve missed your blog!!! :-)
August 21st, 2009 at 3:29 am
Hello ! I just discovered your website today and I just love it !!! Your manicures are so perfect and you have so many original ideas ! I put your link on my website (http://nature.nails.over-blog.com/), but if it is a problem for you just tell me ^^
ps : sorry for my english but i’m french ^^