30 Designs for 3D Nails That Are Sure to Stand Out (2024)

As the years gone on, nail trends keep getting more and more creative.But if you thought mushrooms were the trippiest thing you’d seen so far, we got news for you. Dua Lipa, Kylie Jenner, and your local nail tech are now upping the manicure game in a big way with 3D nail designs.

And luckily you don’t need special glasses to see them.

What Are 3D Nails?

A 3D manicure takes everything to another level – literally. You’re not simply done after painting your nails. Extra details are then glued to the nail including everything from seashells to jewels and flowers to chains. And maybe your keys, if you’re always losing them.

There are plenty of subtle 3D nail looks, but as you can imagine, things can get pretty extra pretty fast. Which is exactly what we say to our barista before we order. (Sorry.)

30 Creative 3D Nail Designs

1. 3D Ice Cream Nails

We prefer all of our ice cream to be 3-dimensional. But at least these don’t melt 45 seconds after you buy it.

2. Gummy Bear Press On Nails

Is this 3D nail idea a snack? Is it a nail design? We never thought a manicure would have us questioning so many things.

Available on Etsy.

3. Pink Grapefruit Nails

This bright and summery look has us craving citrus. Take that, scurvy!

4. 3D Purple Shell Nails

Sebastian never told Ariel there was a purple part of the ocean! Maybe she would have been more inclined to stay if she could get a 3D shell mani like this.

5. Textured Almond Nail Design

Inspired by your appreciation for shag rugs with this 3D almond nail design. Thank goodness they omitted that cat hairball.

6. Sculpted Spring Nails

These impressive sculpted nails are going to be your excuse to get out of everything. Putting on clothes, using keys, cooking – nothing is possible. But you’ll look great!

7. Red Dragon Scales

Get ready for the Game of Thrones spin-off with these dragon-inspired 3D nails. Just try and not set everything on fire this time.

8. Bedazzled Nails

In another dimension, we got that BeDazzler we wanted as a kid.

9. Wolverine Nails

We don’t usually think we have a lot in common with a billionaire, but these futuristic 3D nails are totally something Grimes would wear on a date with Elon Musk. So that’s…okay still not very close to being like a billionaire.

10. 3D Eye Nails

Everyone’s eyes are going to be glued to these nails. No wonder they’re looking a bit red.

11. Animal Cracker Nail Art

You never know when inspiration will strike. But if it’s possible, we’d prefer to finish our frosted animal crackers first?

12. 3D Butterflies Nail Design

Excuse us while we go sit very, very still in the middle of a field until they accept us as one of their own.

13. Chrome Nails

Dip your nails into the 3D pool with these chrome nails. It’s much easier than dipping into a 2D pool. Trust us.

14. Blue 3D Nails

Not every 3D nail design has to make using your hands difficult. This one is perfect if you just want to take things up a tiny notch, to the left, to the right, and then to the left again.

15. Black Nails with Chains

When you want to say, “why yes, I did spend all my free time as a teenager at Hot Topic!”

16. 3D Disco Ball Nails

Anyone who says that Tetris isn’t a party game clearly hasn’t seen these nails. But the real question is…have they seen our keys?

17. Purple Nails with Clear Drips

We’re not professionals, but we’ve got purple nail polish and we’ve got a glue gun. Who’s up first?

18. 3D Rainbow Chain Nails

You say rainbow chains. We say Froot Loops. Who wants to guess if we had breakfast this morning? Oat Bran.

19. Mirror Nail Art

We found our way to the mirror dimension. Now, where’s Doctor Strange?

20. 3D Animal Print

Use negative space to create a 3D look, like these galaxy-colored tiger stripes. We thought Lisa Frank’s pet lion looked familiar!

21. Gel Heart

Wear your clear, delicate heart on the tip of your nail. Who needs ribcages? Or sleeves?

22. 3D Rainbow Gem Nails

Has anyone mentioned the French tip has gone through a bit of a revolution? Trade the white in for every other color, and then glue the largest gem you can find on top. Antoinette would be lose her head over these.

23. Rainbow Dew Drops

Oh, us? Just walking through the produce aisle again.

24. 3D Robotic Nails

We’re not sure if this would make you a form of AI. But we do hope that your computer didn’t need those parts.

25. Seashell Nails

We haven’t found Nemo yet but we did find this nail design. The ocean truly is full of surprises.

26. Groovy 3D Nails

We went to a Chihuly exhibit and all we got were these nails.

27. Minimalist 3D Nails

Cuticles are so last dimension.

28. Flower Power Nails

When you’re adding depth, short nails are just as powerful as long ones. Point proven by this Austin Powers-esque design. Shagadelic, baby.

29. 3D Stiletto Snake Nails

Matte black stiletto nails with a Louboutin underside, red rhinestone cuticles, and a gold snake. Just tell the TSA it’s your emotional support animal.

30. Daisy Chain Nails

These 3D flower nails are the flower crowns of 2022. And allergies are still the bane of our existence.