3 Under the Sea Nail Tutorials

There's no better way to cool off during the summer than a dip in the pool or rushing head first into ocean waves after soaking in the sun. But what about life under the sea? From gems like seashells and sand dollars to creatures like seahorses and mythical mermaids, there's plenty to love. Nail Artist, International Educator and Influencer Emelie Westin (@beautiful_in_light) took inspiration from undersea life and combined it with one of the nail industry's hottest nail color trends — pastels — to create three dazzling nail tutorials that we are sharing with you! Follow the step-by-step tutorials to make your clients' nails sparkle as they enjoy all the waves have to offer this summer. 

Golden Mermaid Scales 

Golden Mermaid ScalesCourtesy of Emelie Westin

1. Create a faded design using three pastel colors that are highly pigmented.
2. Apply a matte top coat.
3. Paint a pattern to look like mermaid scales with white art gel, and cure for 30 seconds.
4. Use gold chrome and a sponge to create the chrome effect. Cure for another 30 seconds.
5. Apply shiny top coat over the gold.
6. Add clear gel to attach crystals and caviar beads.     

Sparkling Seashell 

Sparkling SeashellCourtesy of Emelie Westin

1. Apply three colors, and cure.
2. Add glitter, and cure.
3. Build the nail, file and apply matte top coat.
4. Use a clear builder gel, and make the seashell effect.
5. Cure, and apply shiny top coat over it.
6. Use clear builder gel, and apply one crystal.     

Buried Treasure 

1. Paint the nail in a medium dark blue color. Cure.
2. Add some light green and light blue polish but don’t cover the entire nail. Cure.
3. Apply milky white polish in the shape of waves. Cure.
4. Add crystals, caviar beads and a seahorse using clear builder gel. Cure.
5. Finish with a shiny top coat.