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The 3D jelly nail art trend is kind of out there...

Nail art that literally jumps out at you

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / April 21 2022

In the crazily creative world of nail art you’d be hard-pressed to find a trend that doesn’t jump out at you. But there’s one particular nail-beautifying technique that takes the notion to a literal new level.

Say hello to 3D jelly nails. The new trend that makes your out-there nail art all that more noticeable thanks to globulous, jelly-like designs that defy the boundaries of your manicured tips.

Here are 11 sets of the awe-inspiring nail technique to get you and your nail tech adequately excited.

1/

This chrome hearts mani boasts an impressive shiny metallic finish that you can no doubt see from space.

Image credit: @mannequin.hands

2/

These translucent 3D jelly French tips are an unusual take on a much-loved trend.

Image credit: @mynameismikinail

3/

Utilise the 3D jelly technique to add some flair to your nail art, just like this set that’s giving us bikini bottom vibes.

Image credit: @mynameismikinail

4/

Anyone else love writing their names in puffy paint as a kid? This is essentially that but for your nails.

Image credit: @nailsbymei

5/

The 3D technique can also be used to create just about anything, like this pearl set that Aussie nail artist Victoria Houllis made for everyone’s fave, Flex Mami.

Image credit: @mannequin.hands

6/

Pair your abstract 3D jelly art with some out there embellishments. How about a few piercings?

Image credit: @mynameismikinail

7/

Space age in all the right way, this kinda-metallised, mostly-translucent set is honestly the manicure of our dreams. And yes, we will be dreaming about them tonight.

Image credit: @angelsnailz

8/

Keep things simple with a minimalist line design like this floral-embossed set of nails.

Image credit: @bymizzblac

9/

Have these nails just contracted a case of smallpox? Nope, just covered in dollops of 3D nail art. Kind of gross but also kind of cute, amiright?

Image credit: @bymizzblac

10/

Looking like a box of lucky charms, this cutesy set of nails is perfectly accentuated with a subtle French mani in rainbow colours.

Image credit: @tengoku_nails

11/

Trust FKA Twigs to keep the 3D jelly nail art trend going strong in 2022. The alternative pop icon debuted a seriously lengthy set of 3D art embellished talons for her new “Oh My Love” music video.

Image credit: @fkatwigs

Love a bit of nail art? These are the nail trends to try for 2021.

Main image credit: @mannequin.hands

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).