3D Ladybird Nails with Leaf and Water Droplets: Nail Art Tutorial (Part 2)

Part two of the butterfly and ladybird series turns the designs into a full set, and the star of the show is a set of 3D ladybird nails. This tutorial adds sage green leaf-effect nails with a 3D ladybird, shiny BIAB water droplets and a black accent nail with swirled white and orange dots.

3D ladybird nails are a fun, nature-inspired design with plenty of texture. A soft leaf effect creates the backdrop, a tiny sculpted ladybird sits on top, and glossy water droplets make it look as though the leaf has just been caught in the rain. Paired with the butterfly nails from part one, it makes a playful spring and summer set.

This design brings together several textures in one set. The leaf effect is deliberately a little messy, so it's relaxed and forgiving to create. The acrygel ladybird adds a raised 3D element, and the clear BIAB droplets give a shiny, realistic finish that catches the light.

The black dotted pinky nail ties everything together, picking up the orange from the butterfly nails and the black from the ladybird. Each part uses simple techniques like dotting, rubbing back uncured gel and building small shapes, which makes these 3D ladybird nails a great way to practise texture work.

For the index and ring fingers, mix Lemon & Lime with Snow White and apply it all over the two nails. A little Midori was added to tone down the neon and turn it more of a sage green.

Apply a very thin layer of blooming gel, then a really thin layer of Snow White over the top.

With a clean brush (or half a clean brush with hardly any white on it), run strokes down and around the nail and through the centre. Make it a bit messy; it doesn't have to be neat.

Before the white gel is fully cured, take the nails out and rub away a little of the uncured white for a more realistic leaf effect. Then apply top coat and cure.

Place a small piece of acrygel to create the ladybird's body and a smaller piece for the head. Cure for 60 seconds, then colour the ladybird with All Fired Up.

Use a little Clear as Day BIAB to create water droplets on the nail, curing in between because the BIAB does move. Repeat the droplets on the next nail.

Using Serious Black, run a line down the centre of the ladybird and add little spots over the top.

Paint Serious Black all over the pinky nail. Add Snow White dots in different sizes in a swirl-like motion, then add a couple of orange dots in Jaffa Cake alongside.

• Use a nearly dry brush. Half a clean brush with hardly any white on it gives the softest leaf strokes.
• Rub back before full cure. Rubbing away some uncured white gives the leaf a more realistic finish.
• Cure droplets in between. BIAB moves, so cure each droplet before adding the next.
• Go small for the ladybird. A small piece of acrygel for the body and a smaller piece for the head keeps the ladybird in proportion.

3D ladybird nails are ideal for anyone who wants to try adding texture to their nail art. The leaf effect is meant to be a little messy, the ladybird is built from two small pieces of acrygel, and the droplets simply need curing in between. If you're new to 3D work, this is an approachable place to start.

For nail techs, this set is a charming option for spring and summer clients. Combine it with the butterfly wing nails from part one for a full themed set, or offer the 3D ladybird as a single feature nail for a quicker service.

Using the same products and techniques, you could:

• Add the 3D ladybird to just one leaf nail and keep the other with water droplets only.
• Place more or fewer BIAB water droplets on each nail.
• Change the arrangement of white and Jaffa Cake dots on the black pinky nail.
• Adjust how much white you rub back for a softer or bolder leaf effect.

Raised details need a little extra care. Apply cuticle oil regularly to keep the skin around your nails hydrated, and wear gloves when cleaning or washing up to protect the finish. Avoid using your nails as tools, try not to knock the 3D ladybird, and don't pick or peel at the gel, as this can damage the natural nail underneath.

When you're ready for a change, have the gel removed properly rather than peeling it off, so your natural nails are in good condition for your next set of 3D ladybird nails.

Place a small piece of acrygel for the body and a smaller piece for the head, cure for 60 seconds, then colour it with All Fired Up. Finish with a Serious Black line down the centre and little spots.

Apply a very thin layer of blooming gel and then Snow White, run a nearly clean brush down and around the nail, and rub away a little uncured white before fully curing.

BIAB moves, so curing each droplet in between helps them hold their shape.

Mix Lemon & Lime with Snow White, then add a little Midori to tone down the neon.

With a soft sage leaf effect, a tiny 3D ladybird, glossy water droplets and a dotted black accent, these 3D ladybird nails complete the butterfly and ladybird set beautifully. Watch the full video tutorial above, gather the products listed and try 3D ladybird nails for yourself.