Aquarium Nails – part deux

Second attempt today, this time at more reasonable length nails. Not impressed. Also not impressed with my photo skills. Totally impressed with my Photoshop text effects though, so worth it for re-learning those basics.

It was easier to file, but more difficult to fill and seal. This time I tried to make sure I had an air bubble, and ended up with a massive one which was way too big. I applied a layer of foil to the background which proved to be entirely pointless as you can’t see it at all.

I also covered the clear area on the front this time round. Could not be arsed getting out my stamps, my desk is such a mess at the minute so tried to create a gradient with gel polish which is still a skill I have not mastered.

The tank is so small there really isn’t much movement of the glitter, so it either needs loads of glitter so it is super sparkly, or less and a more clear liquid so you can see it moving around better. As yet, an unknown factor.

I added some larger glitter circles in this one to see how that was going to behave and newsflash – it’s pants. Also it was equally as hard to fill the open end once filled with the liquid so I really need to have a look at either making, or obtaining some mylar semi circles to fit inside the open end to build a base to work from. That would help so much.

I used an Apres long sculpted coffin tip and put a line on the nail to show where it needed to not come down past for me to be able to fit it to my finger and went well over, so I can’t use this nail, but it was a good experiment. All part of the process at getting better at the aquarium nails.

I also think that next time to create the join between the tip and the base I might just apply a thick gel to the edges of the nail tip and then pop it onto the base and see how that goes. I’m thinking it might use a lot less stuff and create a better thickness of join. Will deffo have to try it.

A longer nail tip next time. Goal is to get it better, re-test other glitter, i.e. Magpie or Lecente / Ink and be able to attach and wear it to my own nail. I’ve also discovered today lava lamp type moving aquarium nails – like this one below (which I love so much). So that is something to try when I get my skill level up.

The above is hand painted by the amazingly talented @aliciathenaildoctor on Instagram. So many unbelievable nail artists out there. I’d have to use stickers or water slides reverse painted and stamped to create an image anywhere near this, but wow, the inspiration factor. TTFN!