Cotton Candy Nails

Katie Binh, Mount Pleasant, Texas
@katiebinh

To create the blocking design, start by applying nude pink acrylic close to the cuticle. Wait until it becomes matte, then cut it into a triangle shape using a small knife. If the line doesn’t seem perfect, you can file the edge of the triangle with a hand file to make it straighter (the powder must be completely dry to do this). Apply pink acrylic to the right of the triangle and cut once it becomes matte. The important part is to make sure the left side of the triangle and the left side of the pink acrylic have the same straight line. Because the left side of the triangle is already cut cleanly, it’s easy to place the knife on the edge and keep cutting on the same line. Repeat with yellow acrylic on the left side of the triangle, then continue applying colors on each side until the nail is filled. Don’t worry if the design is messy — once you file it, the blocking design will emerge.

For the 3-D flowers, as with the blocking design, wait for the acrylic to dry enough to be matte before making the shape of the petals.

3-D Turtle

Alecia Mounixay, Wilmington, N.C.
@thewhitekoi

1. Lay a pink acrylic foundation.

2. Add the head, fins/legs, and tail using an oval art brush.

3. Add a flat layer of white acrylic for the base of the body.

4. Add large chunky glitter and cover with clear powder to form the rounded shell.

5. Use a tiny drop of black acrylic for the eyes. Cap with clear top coat on the shell only.

6. Make a small line of white acrylic at an angle and brush down to make waves.

Netting and Butterflies

Lucy Fell, Suffolk, U.K.
@misslucysnailartist

Netting Design
Start with a thin clear base nail. Apply pink acrylic in one bead, allow it to partly set, and use some netting to make the design. Dip the netting in acrylic powder to prevent it from sticking to the nail, then press it into the half set acrylic. Make sure your client rests her finger on a surface so the net won’t move. Carefully remove the netting and then cap the entire nail in clear acrylic.

Encapsulated Butterflies
Create an ombre using pink and purple acrylic. Use a small wet bead of acrylic to pick up chunky-cut pearl glitter and apply diagonally to the nail. Use the wet brush to pick up the butterflies and place on the nail. Cap the entire nail in clear acrylic. Make sure the butterflies are completely covered and don’t stick out so they won’t be damaged when you file the nail.

Click here to see a photo gallery of eye-catching acrylic powder options.