Want to impress a client with an eye-catching, 3-D acrylic design? Then check out CND educator Tammi Merritt’s technique on these blooming black floral nails. The Knoxville, Tenn.-based tech uses colored acrylic, dried flowers, rhinestones, and metallic strips to create a layered effect that blends well on the black background. 

1. Apply black liquid and powder to elongate the nail bed and create the smile line, being sure to leave the moon area exposed.

2. Apply a thin layer of clear liquid and powder to create the free edge. (Merritt used a clear tip for demonstration purposes but using a form to keep the enhancement thinner would be preferable.)

3. Use a small bead of clear liquid and powder to pick up and apply gold threads.

4. Apply dried flowers with clear liquid and powder down one side of the free edge. (Tip: Soaking the dried flowers for a few seconds before application will help them lie flat against the enhancement.)

5. Using your brush and tiny clear beads of liquid and powder, pick up and apply the rhinestone/metal embellishments to the free edge and around the moon area.

6. Cap the entire enhancement (including the moon area) in clear liquid and powder.

7. File and shape the enhancement being careful not to file through to the embedded nail art decorations.

8. Apply tackless sealer and cure under a UV lamp, or buff enhancement to a shine.

Photography by Holly Milner