3D nail art: what to know before you book

The three kinds of raised nail art

The term covers a few different looks, and knowing which one you mean makes the conversation at the table much easier.

• Applied pieces: gems, studs, pearls or small charms set onto the nail
• Sculpted shapes: flowers, bows or hearts built up from thick product
• Raised texture: droplets, swirls or lines that sit proud of a smooth surface

How to ask for it and where to put it

Our menu does not list 3D nails as a service of their own. Request them as nail art and show your artist what you have in mind. Plenty of designs mix two of the kinds above, such as a sculpted flower with a gem at its center, so a photo tells your artist more than a label will. What gets made depends on your nails, the materials on hand that day and your artist's call on how to build it, so we can't promise a specific piece or method.

Anything that stands up can catch on hair, knits, zippers and towels. One or two accent nails give you the effect with far less snagging, and ring and middle fingers are the usual homes since thumbs and pointers do most of the daily work.

Placement on the nail matters too. Details near the cuticle or center are more protected than those at the free edge, which takes the knocks. Contact lens wearers, parents of small children and anyone who types all day may want low-profile pieces such as flat-backed stones or tiny droplets.

The set underneath

Raised art sits more securely on something rigid. Thin natural nails bend, and each bend stresses the join between the piece and the nail. These sets give a firmer surface:

• Builder Gel Full Set: starts at $70, about 60 minutes
• Aprés Gel-X Full Set: starts at $75, about 60 minutes
• Dual Form Fullset: $70, about 60 minutes
• Tap Gel Fullset: $75, about 60 minutes
• Color Acrylic Full Set: starts at $60, about 60 minutes

How the add-ons add up

Heavier work costs more than the first Design figure. Length gives small sculpted shapes more room: Extra Length starts at $5, shape changes start at $5, and a Stiletto or Duck Shape on acrylic starts at $10. Color add-ons stack on top, with 3+ Colors from $10, Matte from $10, Chrome from $18 on builder gel, Gel-X and dip or $20 on acrylic, and Cat eye colors from $20.

Each add-on is listed at about 15 minutes, which is realistic for a simple accent. A full set of sculpted pieces will take longer. If yours is detailed, call 954-236-7922 before you book so enough time gets set aside, and have a photo ready to show your artist when you sit down.

Living with raised details

Be gentle for the first day, then get into the habit of washing around the pieces with a soft brush so soap and lotion do not build up underneath. Sand finds those same gaps, so rinse well after the beach and pat dry without dragging a towel across your nails.

Rubber gloves for dishes and cleaning can snag on raised pieces, so choose a looser pair and take them off slowly.

If a stone pops off, leave the spot alone and skip the household glue, which can damage the surface around it. Repairs start at $5 with a service, and taking off an old set with a service starts at $10.

Questions guests ask

Do 3D nails last as long as flat nail art?

The set underneath wears the same way, but raised pieces can come off sooner because they get knocked and snagged. Keeping them on one or two nails and away from the free edge helps them stay put.

Can I get 3D nails on short nails?

Yes, with small pieces. A tiny stud or droplet near the cuticle suits short nails, while bigger flowers and bows need more nail to sit on. Bring a photo and ask what will fit.

How much do 3D nails cost at Element?

No single price applies, since the cost depends on your set and how much art you want. Add the Design add-on to the price of your set, then ask for a total once your artist has seen your photo.