French aquarium nail design. Aquarium nail design: photos of new products

Nail design masters continue to delight fashionistas with their creations, and this year they offered to create an incredible manicure in the form of a “wet aquarium”. It's hard to imagine, but it's real! Let's take a closer look at what kind of manicure it is.

Aquarium manicure with water or shepart

Remember the popular heart-shaped keyrings that had liquid and holographic designs inside? Now such an "aquarium" can be created on the nails! Here's what it looks like. We look at the video of a manicure with water inside.

In order to make such a manicure, the master needs to glue two tips together so that a small cavity forms between them. Various decorative elements are poured into this cavity - rhinestones, sparkles, bouillons, holographic figures, etc. To create an aquarium effect, the master, using a syringe with a thin needle, introduces a small amount of distilled water or glycerin into the cavity (without filling the cavity to the end). The edge of the tip, through which the cavity was filled, is sealed with gel or acrylic. Only then does the master carry out manipulations, as during the usual extension procedure.

Of course, this type of manicure is quite difficult to perform at home, and it will take 2-3 times more time than with regular extensions, but the result is worth such work. It is impossible to take your eyes off the manicure with the effect of a wet aquarium.

Such a manicure can be done without the use of distilled water or glycerin, this kind of design is called "shepart".

Now that aquarium nail design has become more popular, many online stores that sell manicure tools and materials offer craftsmen blanks for a “wet aquarium”, i.e. tips with a cavity, "aquarium" tips. So this will significantly reduce the time for creating a manicure.

How to make an aquarium manicure with water inside

As you can see, aquarium manicure and shepard have gained more popularity than, which looks too cumbersome, and sometimes even ridiculous.

Below you can see another short master class on how to make an aquarium nail design.

The desire of girls to be bright, extraordinary, to stand out from the rest, pushes them to beauty experiments with their appearance. A great way to spice up your look is with an aquarium nail design.

The aquarium on the nails creates the feeling of a three-dimensional picture, as if hidden under the water column. This nail art looks very impressive, and is great for both festive events and everyday manicure. In addition, aquarium nails, due to the transparent textures used in extensions, allow you to maintain a neat and effective manicure for three months. What makes the aquarium design for extended nails the best solution for those who seek to save their time and money.

Preparing hands for aquarium design

Aqua nail design suggests that the technology of nail art is already on prepared hands. Therefore, the preliminary stage will be a classic manicure. And in order to save on an expensive salon procedure, we do it ourselves at home. To do this, we need: a bath with warm water, aromatic and nutritious mixtures, a manicure set, a moisturizer.

The instruction of a classic manicure involves the step-by-step implementation of the following steps:

  1. Steam the hands in warm water. For a relaxing and tonic effect, we recommend adding a few drops of rose, jasmine essential oil and a pinch of sea salt to the water.
  2. Gently treat the cuticle area with an emollient. We remove the excess with nail scissors or tongs.
  3. We give the nails the desired shape with a nail file. For those whose nail plate is fragile, we recommend using a glass file. It creates less oscillatory movements, which makes the procedure more comfortable.
  4. Apply moisturizer to hands. Let's have a good soak.

This is how we independently prepared our hands for further manipulations. Now you can perform nail extension-aquarium.

We create a fashionable aquarium design on extended nails

Before depicting an aquarium on nails, it is necessary to carefully prepare the nail plates for further work. To do this, you will need to treat them with an antiseptic solution or nail polish remover. This technique helps to degrease the surface of the nail bed to ensure maximum adhesion of the acrylic coating to the nail plate. Further, the technology of aquarium design involves a step-by-step follow-up to the scheme of simple actions.

  1. Apply a primer to the nails to line the nail plate and prepare for gel application.
  2. Under the regrown tips of the nail, securely fasten the paper extension forms. Make sure that the tips are firmly and evenly placed, otherwise the aqua nail design will be sloppy and lose all its chic.
  3. Apply acrylic on the nail, giving it the desired shape and length. For the effect of shimmering shine, you can pre-mix acrylic liquid with fine glitter powder. This technique will allow your manicure to effectively “play” on the nails, depending on the nature of the lighting. Dry your nails in a UV lamp.
  4. Then you can safely show your creative abilities: make a brilliant background with contrasting powder, use white and pink paint to depict flowers, patterns, ornaments. With a more complex design, the aquarium design for extended nails provides for voluminous modeling, which is not very practical in everyday life, but looks very impressive with a festive outfit. Feel free to experiment: add gold sequins, glitter, metallic foil, contrasting accents, beads and bows. The main thing is not to overdo it with the decor. The more graceful your lines and the more confident your strokes, the more effective your aqua nail design will be.
  5. Dry the decorative layer in a UV lamp.
  6. After decorating the nail plates, it is necessary to cover the manicure with a layer of transparent gel, which will create the desired effect - aquarium nails. It turns out that the drawing is sealed between two tips, which gives it a bulge, and, of course, protects it from deformation by external factors. Dry your nails in a UV lamp.
  7. Give your nails a neat look by filing and sanding the extended layer.
  8. For a wet, shiny effect, cover your nails with a UV sealer. The top coat will protect nail art from chips, cracks, tarnishing and damage to the pattern.

Fashion trends in aquarium design

  • Modern beauty trends are increasingly gravitating towards the naturalness of makeup, manicure, and the whole image as a whole. Therefore, if you still prefer to build up your aquarium nails, then choose a short and neat shape of the nail plate for nail design. Avoid such phenomena that were fashionable in the past, such as or long ones.
  • Do not forget that the aquarium nail design will remain on your nails for a long time, so you should choose patterns that would organically fit into your everyday wardrobe.
  • If the aqua design of nails is intended to emphasize the solemnity of the upcoming event, then its elements should correspond to the festive backgammon. Such a manicure looks very impressive with a brilliant decor - beads, rhinestones, glitter. Separate convex, sculptural details created on the ring fingers are welcome.

So experiment, look for a non-trivial design so that your well-groomed hands and extraordinary nail art become the envy of others.

Video: aquarium nail design master class

Volumetric compositions on the nails are admired and give the manicure a special charming charm. The aquarium effect creates a unique feeling when contemplating the original design, which you want to admire indefinitely. Decorating your nails with flower sculpting or delightful patterns, you can not worry about the durability of the manicure. Drawings, securely "hidden" under a layer of transparent coating, will delight you and your surroundings with an impeccable look for a long time. Aquarium nail extension is a great option to show your creative abilities.

On the surface of your nails, bright or delicate artistic compositions, as if placed in an aquarium, create an incredible design. Such a manicure is filled with an inner glow due to the smooth, crystal-clear surface. Everyone can learn how to recreate volumetric pictures on nails. To do this, you must be able to carry out high-quality building-up with the help of modeling materials in order to create an impeccable one.

Step-by-step instructions for aquarium building

Despite the fact that in 2014 girls prefer naturalness, bright volumetric compositions on the surface of the nails are perfect for a festive event. More discreet options for three-dimensional manicure may be appropriate in everyday life. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the step-by-step instructions that will help you master the aquarium extension of artificial nails, performed using gel and acrylic technology. Photo illustrations accompanying the master class will reveal all the subtleties of creating beautiful nail art. If all the tools are ready, you can proceed to the process itself.

  1. First you need to prepare natural nails for the procedure for modeling artificial tips. After treating the hands with an antiseptic, push back the cuticle, file the free edge and remove the gloss from the nails. Then install the paper extension form. Degrease the surface and start modeling the free edge with a transparent gel.
  2. Place your hand in the UV lamp for 2 minutes and then remove the mold. Remove the tacky layer and sand the surface to remove the shine.
  3. Apply a primer for good adhesion of the artificial material to the natural plate. Without it, nail extension will be of poor quality.
  4. With the help of camouflage acrylic powder and liquid, model the nail bed, slightly lengthening it.
  5. With multi-colored glitter applied over a transparent gel, decorate the free edge. In order to make the design as similar to an aquarium as possible, give your nails a bluish tint with a blue gel. Fix the coating in the lamp.
  6. On a thin layer of gel, add a few pieces of mother-of-pearl tape. After drying the nail, cover the inner design with the final layer of modeling material, completing the extension of the free edge. Let the gel cure under a UV lamp.
  7. After removing the sticky layer from the surface of the nails, remove the excess thickness with files or.
  8. After sanding your nails, brush off the dust with a brush and draw with watercolors. Design in the style of "Aquarium" will have a complete and harmonious look. To get a beautiful glossy shine on your nails, apply a top coat of gel and dry the finished manicure under a lamp. Looking at the photo, you can appreciate how impressive the extended tips look, decorated with a delicate floral design.

Secure your learning by watching a video lesson from the wonderful master Inna Gorodnova, on the basis of which the master class was built.

Photo gallery of bright aquarium-style designs

When creating a unique nail art, you can put anything in the "aquarium". You will see this by looking at the photo at the end of our article. These can be pieces of lace or fabric, acrylic modeling, small and large particles of glitter, dry leaves, twigs, and so on. It all depends on your imagination and mood. Aquarium manicure has an incredible mystique that you can enjoy while browsing through the photo gallery of fashionable designs in 2014.

























Aquarium nail extension is an art that is easy to learn on your own. We bring to your attention another fascinating video tutorial on modeling artificial nails. Master Natalya Butenko will teach you how to create a very delicate and elegant design with elements. Gorgeous manicure - the key to a great mood! Be beautiful and happy!

How convenient it is when all the decor in nail art does not interfere with everyday affairs, does not stick out and does not fall off ahead of time! All these conveniences of design for nails are given by a unique technique - aquarium manicure. Anything can be placed under a layer of transparent gel: rhinestones, acrylic modeling, foil, and other elements that are necessary to create nail art.

Stages of creating aqua design on natural nails

Looking at the nail as if looking through the glass of an aquarium is a sign of quality aquarium design. To create a beautiful “aquarium”, you can go in two ways: build up nails and decorate them for aqua design or make nail art simply on your natural nail plate. But you should not expect that the usual transparent varnish will save the situation, you cannot do without gel polish.


So, before starting work, it is worth preparing everything you need:

  • colorless gel polish;
  • gel polish with pigments (you can do without it if you use a transparent coating at all stages);
  • primer or base;
  • decor.

To decorate short nails, you should not choose voluminous decorations and modeling, as they will eventually have to be covered with gel and a very thick layer can turn out.


To perform an aquarium design, it is enough to take a few steps that will bring you closer to the perfect manicure:

Step 1. Prepare the nail well (form the nail, process the cuticle, polish the surface);

Step 2 Cover with a layer of primer or base coat, dry;

Step 3 Apply a colored layer of gel polish (or transparent) with a minimal thin layer, dry under a lamp;

Step 4 Without removing the sticky layer, you can proceed to the design: place the desired elements on the nail or complete everything with painting;

Step 5 Apply a good coat of clear gel polish. If at one time it is not possible to cover the entire decor, then this can be done in two stages. Then the gel will dry better than one thick layer;

Step 6 Remove stickiness and apply top, which eventually needs to be dried under the lamp.

Fashionable design can also be done with the application of drawings, patterns, which under a layer of gel will have the effect of a three-dimensional image of the 3D type. It is better to remove such a design with a router, since a remover with such a coating thickness may not be able to cope.

Technique for extended nails

Artificially extended nails give more room for imagination and allow you to make more complex, original nail art. In fact, the technique of aqua design on extended nails is practically the same as that used for natural nails. All the complexity is only in the procedure itself and the extension technology, which gradually looks like this.


After the sculpting gel has been applied, dried and the nail has been formed, you can start decorating, which is no different in process from step-by-step actions on natural nails. The only thing that distinguishes this design is the possibility of placing three-dimensional elements for the composition (acrylic molding, beads, shells, chains, etc.).

The entire placed design is covered with a layer of transparent coating - a special gel that will make the nail more durable and wear-resistant. To make a three-dimensional image in a manicure with an aquarium effect, you can apply a drawing or pattern in several stages: first on the “very bottom” (on the sculptural gel), and then after covering the decor with a transparent gel, drawing the elements on top of the coating.


It should be borne in mind that the aquarium design style is difficult to correct and makes this procedure longer. If, then the decor "under the aquarium" is no different, the difference here is only in the materials.

How to make an aquarium nail design step by step on transparent tips?

You can make the perfect shape and length of the nail without extensions if you use tips. On transparent plates, the “aquarium” looks especially impressive, but even here you can’t do without a transparent one. Fashionable manicure with tips requires some preparation and special materials:

  • quality tips;
  • good glue for attaching them to the natural nail plate;
  • degreaser or its analogues (alcohol, nail polish remover, etc.);
  • cutter (for cutting tips);
  • nail files;
  • decor;
  • clear gel polish and top.

Step 1. Prepare the nails (make them the same length - preferably up to 2 mm, you can cut them off at the root, file, cut or push back the cuticle);

Step 2 Degrease the nail.

Step 3 Prepare the tips by cutting them to the approximate length you want;

Step 4 Glue the tips, let the glue dry well;

Step 5 File the tips to the desired shape (to get an oval, square or pointed nail);

Step 6 Remove the gloss from the plate and from your nail and apply a primer without touching the artificial material;

Step 7 Cover with clear gel or acrylic in one thin layer. dry;

Step 8 Decorate the nail (any interpretation is allowed);

Step 9“Fill” with transparent gel polish (you can use several layers).

Step 10 Apply top coat.

If you have at least some skills in gluing tips, then creating such an original manicure will not be difficult. The main thing is to choose your unique decor and combine it correctly.



Decor for the aquarium effect

Harmoniously complementing some decorative elements with others is a real talent that borders on a sense of taste. To create unusual three-dimensional effects, you can use the most unusual materials: from gears to chains. Traditional decorative elements are more feminine and do not have such a brutal look as chains, for example.

Beads and voluminous jewelry

Special beads, similar in size to beads or neat half-beads, are a trend in aquarium manicure. They can be successfully combined with other round decorations: kamifubuki, sequins, broths, etc. They complement this design with loose sparkles, you can choose foil, any colored varnish, mica, etc. as a background.

Such decor requires a large layer of gel, so it is important to use such decorations on extended nails or on the basis of tips.

Acrylic modeling and powder

Among the acrylic decorations, you can find different themes: fruit slices, flowers, vegetables, shells, accessories, etc. You should also use this decor thematically and do not mix them together. For color, paint the tip of the nail in a color that matches the theme. For example, a marine manicure with shells can be beaten by painting the tip of the nail in turquoise or blue.


Decorating a nail for an aquarium with acrylic powder is a bold and original idea. This decor goes well with other, more voluminous elements. It is not worth using modeling for natural nails, as a lot of gel will be spent on pouring and the manicure will not look aesthetically pleasing. Powder can be used for any base options: natural nail, tips or extensions.

Pictures or photos for aquarium style

It is possible to make all images realistic with the 3D effect using this technique, it remains only to choose a picture for design. The theme can be different, you can even choose images of fish. You can complement such a manicure with other decorative elements, place pictures in different parts of the nail.

Depending on the material on which the image of something is applied, it will be necessary to fill it with gel of different thicknesses. For example, a paper or vinyl base gives a decent thickness and is best used on artificial nails, a plastic film with a pattern can easily be used on any nails, as it will not make the nail thicker.

Foil for gel polish

Manicure foil has a different density and purpose. One type (transfer) leaves a shiny mark on the sticky layer, the second one must first be formed and placed on the nail as an application. Depending on the desired effect, one or the second type of foil is chosen.

This decorative technique is acceptable for natural and artificial nails, as it does not make the nail plate much thicker, while giving a great shine.

Rhinestones, sequins and feathers

The most popular decorations for aquarium manicure are rhinestones and glitter. Different sizes of these elements can look different on nails of different lengths. For short natural nails, it is better to choose small rhinestones; on artificial surfaces, more daring experiments with the size of rhinestones are possible.



Sequins can be used as independent or additional decorative elements. Their different size, color, shape can create the desired effect and at the same time do not require a large thickness of gel polish applied on top.



Feather manicure is not so popular, but it looks very impressive. It is convenient to use feathers in design on artificial nails. Their color and size can be different, they complement the similar one with drawings, rhinestones, etc.



Aquarium design has appeared recently and quickly became popular and fashionable. Its peculiarity is that the pattern is not applied to the surface of the nail, but inside. The pattern is covered with a layer of acrylic or gel, which creates a three-dimensional effect and gives the impression that the elements of the image are under glass. That is why this type of nail design is called an aquarium. This design has many advantages and only 1 drawback - it can only be performed on extended nails.

Features and Benefits of Aquarium Design

A pattern that is placed under a layer of acrylic or gel can be made using any technique and any materials convenient for this. You can make a drawing with acrylic paints and volumetric or flat acrylic modeling. Lace and thread appliqués decorated with foil and sequins look very nice. Popular types of summer aqua design are applications in the form of fruits and images of the underwater world. Decoration of nails with clockwork elements will look extravagant and unusual.

Even if you have chosen some voluminous elements to decorate your nails, for example, small beads, acrylic modeling, dry flowers or lace, they will not bother you because they will be covered with a thick layer of acrylic. The surface of the nail will be smooth and shiny. The advantages of aqua design over other ways of decorating nails are not only this. The following can be distinguished:

  • Aqua design remains on the nails for a long time. On acrylic and gel, even ordinary varnishes can last for 2-3 weeks. And if you cover the drawing with a layer of acrylic, it will remain until your nails grow or you want to remove the extensions. At the same time, you can engage in any activity and not worry that the pattern will be erased or fade. That is why many women choose aquarium nail design.
  • None of the known methods of nail design, except for the aquarium, can create the impression of a three-dimensional image. By applying an acrylic or gel pattern to the surface, volume can be easily obtained. In order for the effect to be more pronounced, voluminous elements, such as acrylic modeling, are selected for decorating nails.
  • Nails decorated using the "aquarium" technique should be protected from temperature extremes and contact with household chemicals. Housework is best done with special rubber gloves. And most importantly, do not forget to correct the extended nails in time. On average, this procedure is performed 1 time in 3-4 weeks.
  • To make the picture brighter, periodically in the intervals between corrections, it is recommended to cover the nails with ordinary transparent varnish. Due to the fact that the aquarium design is preserved for a long time, the pattern should be chosen universal, which will suit various outfits, both everyday and festive.

Aquarium nail design: photo


How to make a design of extended nails "Aquarium design" yourself?

Aqua design is a long and painstaking procedure. In salons, it costs much more than a simple transparent extension with gel or acrylic. Correction of such nails will also be expensive. That is why many women want to learn how to make luxurious patterns on their nails on their own. It's not difficult, you just need to be patient. First you need to build up your nails, and only then decorate them.

To build up with acrylic, you will need: acrylic powder of a white or pinkish tint, brushes, a special solvent, forms, a primer - a substance for preparing nails and nail files of different hardness. Such sets can be found on sale in specialized stores. Remember that acrylic dries almost instantly, so you need to work with it very quickly. Extension steps:

Preparation of the nail plate. The top layer of the nail is polished with a nail file, and then degreased with a primer. This must be done so that the acrylic layer adheres firmly to the natural nail and does not peel off.

Form setting. A special form is placed on the finger and firmly fixed. The form will serve as the basis for applying acrylic and will help to make the same length of all nails.

Base coat application and shaping. Once the paper base is in place, apply a thin base layer of acrylic, shape and, if desired, lengthen the nail.

When the acrylic hardens in air, the form must be removed and the surface of the nail must be leveled and its shape corrected with the help of special nail files.

Acrylic nails are strong and hard to break. They are easily removed, for this it is enough to dissolve the acrylic in a special composition. These are the undoubted advantages of the material. But some women note that after wearing acrylic nails, their nails became weak and brittle. Fortunately, this doesn't happen often.

Building with gel is easier, so if you want to learn how to build and design, it is better to start with it. Nails tolerate gel coating better, and the material itself hardens only under a special lamp, so you can work slowly. Gel nails are not as durable as acrylic nails, they can only be removed by filing and broken nails cannot be restored.

Nail extension - aquarium design: video

After building up, you can proceed to the implementation of the aquarium design. To decorate nails, you can use: acrylic paints and powder, rhinestones of various sizes, colored threads and sparkles, dry flowers, colored sand, foil, acrylic and polymer clay modeling, and more. etc. Combinations of various nail design techniques, for example, painting and modeling, look great on nails. When the decor is fully completed, it must be covered with a layer of gel or acrylic so that all the elements are immersed in it and the surface of the nail becomes smooth.

The nail design "Underwater World" is especially fashionable. This design is considered a classic of aquarium design.

First you need to do the toning of the extended nails. To do this, translucent organic paints are applied over the entire surface of the nail. For this design, shades of water are taken. Suitable colors from light turquoise to dark blue. Emerald, gold and silver colors would also be appropriate. The densest tone should be applied to the middle and free edge of the nail, its base should be left free.

Volumetric decorations on a marine theme can be purchased at specialty nail art stores or molded from acrylic or polymer clay. If you have very small shells, you can use them too.

Complete the composition with colored sand, sparkles, foil or dried flowers.

When the pattern is fully completed, it should be fixed. This is an important step. A layer of gel or acrylic is applied to the drawing. Volumetric elements are completely immersed in it. The gel must be dried for several minutes in an ultraviolet lamp, and acrylic will dry quickly in the air.

Dried nails should be well polished with a special nail file and, if necessary, correct the shape. It is also recommended to cover them with 2-3 layers of clear varnish on top.

Aquarium design has become very popular due to its practicality and the ability to perform a variety of patterns on nails, combining many nail art techniques. It is appropriate both in everyday life and on holidays. This type of jewelry looks beautiful on both short and long nails. But on the latter it is much more convenient to do it, because it is easy to place even a fairly complex image.


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