Posted by Tran Khue
on October 06, 2025
Happy 3D flower nails are little celebrations you get to wear any day you want. The tiny petals bring your manicure to life and draw people in for a closer look. When we have sculpted flowers on our fingertips, we always get asked where we got our nails done. Our favorite reply is that we did them! Come see the many ways you can shine with 3D flower nail art!
Once upon a time, 3D flower nails were only possible if you had access to an exclusive group of nail artists—those who with the skill to sculpt acrylic blooms. These pros braved the strong odor and worked fast, shaping petals before the acrylic dried.
It took a lot of practice just to master wetting the bead. The artist had to choose the right amount for the job and then sculpt details with a brush. There are all sorts of tricks for making the bristles behave. Videos make it look easy, but anyone who’s tried crafting acrylic flowers knows that it’s a lot of work to make things turn out perfect.
The good news is that there are easier tools for creating 3D flower nails now.
3D Flower Nails
Builder Gel Flowers
LAVIS recently released a set of non-stick builder gels in the jar. They come in various colors to save a step so that you don’t always have to paint them.
Here’s an example of LAVIS Non-Sticky Builder Gel in the milky white shade. The artist has shaped it into a tropical flower. Then, they added just a hint of color, a pearl, and itty-bitty metallic accents.
What does it mean if the builder gel is “non-sticky”? It’s a hard gel in a jar similar to IBD. Think of it like playing with putty because it’s just that easy to use. Since it’s not gooey or liquid, you can use various tools, not just a brush, to mold it. You don’t need monomer or special liquids as it’s ready to use right away.
It doesn’t have a strong odor, which is lovely when you’re working up close on a set. Moreover, you’ll have all the time you need to work with it because it won’t dry until you cure it in a nail lamp. Finally, it’s compatible with other gel products so you can embellish it to your heart’s content.
LAVIS Builder Gel Jar Non Sticky - 02 Milky White 15g
Colorful 3D Flowers
Here are the LAVIS Non-Sticky Builder Gel colors. Some are metallic or iridescent for beautiful 3D flowers in one step.
3D Sculpture Gel - Molding Gel
Acrylic Blooms
Go old school with 3D acrylic flowers and paint them to suit your theme. This artist kept the petals monochrome, but there’s nothing boring here. They made the mismatched set neon and added fun charms and gems.
LAVIS C05 - Set 24 Colors - Gel Polish 0.5 oz - Neon Obsession Collection
Tiny Touchable Flower Nails
If you’re still working on your sculpting skills, not to worry, there are alternative ways to create 3D flower nails. One is to simply use premade charms or dried flowers. You can also use a mold to make custom charms if you still want to craft flowers from scratch.
At any rate, it takes skill to craft beautiful flower nails regardless of how you do it. Here’s a set that makes us imagine the fingertips are wearing tiny Hawaiian leis.
3D Daisy Nails
What can you do with simple stripes and dots of emboss gel? You can make daisy nails! Viscous painting gel adds a sleek, bas-relief texture for visual and tactile interest.
How do you make clear embossing gel colorful for a project like this? One, you can paint it after it’s cured. Or two, you can premix the color into the emboss gel before crafting the flowers.
LAVIS Emboss Gel - Clear 15g
Velvety Flowers
If you happen to have acrylic or dipping powder and a matte top coat, you’re all set for this project. The petals look like they would be velvety to touch.
How could you duplicate this effect if you don’t have acrylic powder handy? One option is to use non-sticky builder gel. If you really love the velvet texture, it’s possible to lightly press fabric onto its surface before curing, then apply the color and the matte top coat. Choose something that won’t leave particles behind – a lint-free wipe without the acetone might be ideal.
LAVIS Crystal Clear - Acrylic & Dipping Powder - 80oz
Rose Nails
It used to be when you searched for rose nails that you’d see sculpted acrylic flowers. But then this gorgeous illusion started trending. Instead of petals on top of the nail, all the action is happening below the “surface”. The artist added dew drops to enhance the effect. There’s no denying that this set is a head turner.
Gem Flower Nails
If you’ve got the patience, the rhinestones, and the wax-tipped pen, all you need is glue to make sparkly gem flower nails. Take note that applying a glossy finish over top might dull the stones. If you have an extra, test it before committing. Otherwise, apply the top coat, place the gems, and tuck a little more top coat around them to seal any gaps.
Rhinestones
Painted Flower Nails with Texture
This flower manicure reminds us of appliqué. It has just enough texture to look like the sparkly blooms are “sewn” on. The artist posted that she used reflective glitter gel for the petals. Now why can’t flowers glitter like that in real life! Maybe they do for bees.
LAVIS Reflective R05 - Gel Polish 0.5 oz - Glow With The Flow Reflective Collection
Conclusion
If your goal is to create 3D flower nails, there are at least a half a dozen ways to make it happen. You’re never limited to only one technique. Acrylic flowers, builder gel blossoms, and blooms crafted with rhinestones and charms are just a few of the most popular methods. Try it and you’ll see that roses, daisies, and hibiscus flowers are all within reach. All you need is a little patience, some practice, and a vision. Of course, both beginners and pros can find all the necessary nail art supplies at a discount in our store. We welcome everyone who wants to reach their nail goals!
