“I truly believe that nailing the prep, choosing the right products, and using a gentle removal process make up 90% of the recipe for a long-lasting mani,” says Rodriguez. Higuchi agrees and recommends protecting your nails from any damage. “Wear gloves when you do household chores, and don’t use your nails as tools, like for opening cans or packages,” she adds.
By the time I returned for removal two weeks later, my 3D nail art was still completely intact. “If chips or lifting do happen, skip the DIY fix and head to a pro ASAP,” Rodriguez says. “Messing with a damaged manicure is dangerous territory. And peeling off gel nails or fiddling with intricate 3D designs can damage the health of your nails, making future manis even shorter-lived.”
My finished 3D nail art look
How do I remove 3D nail art?
Don’t get crafty—leave it to the professionals. During removal, an e-file—a professional drill—is used to break the gel seal, followed by an e-file with a smaller attachment to work away at the spaces under and around the adhered stones. After the seal is broken, stones and charms are gently removed with two sets of pliers. My nails were shaped and built with gel; therefore, the removal process was easier and took about 30 minutes.
Once my nails were bare and fresh, it was time to select the next design. For winter, Rodriguez and Higuchi are loving 3D chrome French tips, bows, futuristic short nails, and cutout shapes. “My next dream project is making my own nail zine, an art book,” says Higuchi. “I want people to know that you can express a lot of things with nails.”
