This is my first series on this blog, but I thought it was about time I started one. I post quite a few nail art looks and I thought it would be nice to start organizing them in this way. 3D has been a nail trend I’m digging lately so the first series is on 3D nail art, starting with metal studs.

Metal studs give nails a bit of a rock/grunge feel (same as with clothes really). This is a vibe I really enjoy and while I have quite a few clothing items with studs on them, this was my first time trying out this 3D element on my nails. I’m now a convert.

Convenience

Because they’re fairly flat, studs are really easy to apply and stay on your nails beautifully. Applying them in the way I suggest should give you around a week of wear out of them (depending on your lifestyle of course). Mine lasted for 10 days.

How to Apply

All you need is a coat of basecoat and your base color (optional if you’re going for clear). Wait for this to dry. Prepare your studs so they’re lying in front of you face-up so you can grab them quickly. Then put a dollop of your favorite topcoat in the general shape of the stud on the desired nail. Grab a stud and place it gently on top of the dollop. If it’s not quite in the position you like it, gently and quickly slide it until it is. Keep your nail horizontal until your topcoat is dry enough for your stud to not slide around.

Once it’s dry, cover the stud and the surrounding area generously with topcoat. Wait for this to dry well and cover your whole nail with a coat of topcoat to seal everything in. Repeat for each nail.

Let me know if you found this post useful and if you like studs on manicures.

Thank you for reading. Be Kind. Be you.

If it speaks to you, I used:

China Glaze Strong Adhesion base coat, here

China Glaze Fast Forward top coat, here

China Glaze ‘Snow Way!’ nail polish, here

Essie ‘Licorice’ nail polish, here

Feather nail decals, similar here

Tree nail decals, as part of a set here

Silver studs, as part of a set here