NAILSTYLE

Mixed Media Mastery

Embark on a 3D nail art journey with helpful hints, tips & ideas from mixed media competition experts

ALEX FOX REPORTS

For nail professionals keen to exercise their 3D art skills, competitions can be invaluable. Entering artistic and extreme categories stretches the imagination, enhances technical talent and ignites excitement, as innovative architecture is engineered from nail products. For the most artistically motivated pros, Nailympia offers a variety of competition categories that explore 3D styling: Extreme Nail Styling Poster ; The Joy of Nails ; Mixed Media Art ; Runway Nails ; Art on Nails ; Full Cover Creative ; To Stiletto & Beyond and Fantasy Complete Look .

Mixed media nail experts from the competition realm share their award-winning designs and secrets to success with Scratch ...

Anita Chahal-Millar, UK – award-winning nail artist, educator & competition judge

@chahal8240

“My poster design, named ‘The Warrior’, won a gold medal in the Extreme Nail Styling Poster category, division 3 at Nailympia Anaheim 2026. It represents strength, courage, resilience and bravery, and was inspired by and dedicated to my friend, Veronica Bell. She is a truly remarkable woman with a legacy of strength and determination.

“My competition nail process begins with sketching and planning. I explore shape, structure, materials and colour to ensure every design tells a story. Strong sculpting forms are essential, and I carefully prepare, sculpt and refine each nail to achieve balance, precision and uniformity.

“The Warrior look took 45-50 hours to complete over two weeks. I created a rustic, armour-inspired finish using layered paints, gels, chrome, mesh and 3D elements. The weapon motifs and embellishments were hand-made, adding depth, texture and character.

“Nail competitions allow me to challenge myself creatively. I am driven by growth, discipline and the desire to improve.”

Jenny Nguyen, Vietnam/USA – decorated nail artist, global educator, judge & mentor

@jennyng_nailartist

“When creating a mixed media piece, the first thing to consider is its theme. A design should demonstrate the following elements: theme, creativity, balanced composition, complexity and interaction – like a conversation across the nails. Typically, it takes me one month to complete a 10-nail style.”

“Mixed media is not simply about combining different materials; it’s one of the most advanced techniques in the world of nail art. You need a strong foundation in painting techniques to balance the composition of details, and if you want to feature rhinestones, you need to understand which are suitable to use, as well as application techniques.

“In mixed media competition pieces, details must be elevated to the highest level of difficulty to achieve maximum points. Multiple, highly refined techniques need to be showcased, but must also convey coherence. Necessary skills include painting, 3D art, design composition and colour theory. I recommend that artists learn from successful masters and participate in competitions such as Nailympia to learn, accumulate experience and gain valuable insights.”

Milena Mingozzi, Italy – award-winning nail artist, educator, mentor & judge

@milena.mingozzi

“The principle of mixed media art is ‘less is more’. It’s not about mixing many elements, but blending two, three or more techniques to create a harmonious nail design. The planning of a competition piece requires in-depth study and an original idea. It can take weeks – sometimes months – to create a project, such as for Nailympia’s Fantasy Complete Look category.

“Nail products are constantly being developed to make the mixed media process easier, and if you start with simple salon design, you can work up to creating more technical pieces. The more knowledge you have of products available, the greater the opportunity for creating advanced artworks.”

Hazel Dixon, UK – decorated nail expert, global educator, judge, brand owner & distributor

@hazeldixon

“Wearability and practicality are desirable for salon-style nails, which require height, weight and sharp dimension to be kept to a minimum. In contrast, competitions offer far more creative freedom. Height, exaggerated structure and bold elements become part of the impact – as long as they are executed cleanly, securely and with clear artistic intent.

“If you’re feeling overwhelmed by mixed media art and don’t know where to start, strip it back. Hold the finished concept in your mind, but break it down into stages. Start by building the background: the base tone, structure and layout, so your brain isn’t trying to solve every detail at once. Once this foundation is in place, you can layer elements gradually, with clarity and control.”

Hazel’s mixed media kit includes the following products from her brand, HD Professional Nail Systems: Monomers, Core Powders, Colour Acrylic Powders, Colour It! Gel Polishes, Art Gels, Design It! Colour Gels, Loose Glitters and Art Brushes.

Valerie Ducharme, Canada – NAILS Next Top Nail Artist (NTNA) Season 5 winner, global educator, judge & mentor

@vdnailart

“It’s important to recognise that creative growth rarely happens within comfort zones. If an idea does not challenge you, it may not be pushing you enough. Fear often signals that an artist is stepping into new territory, and this is where development occurs.

“A strong mixed media piece begins with a clear theme and narrative. Artists should first consider what they want their work to communicate. When storytelling is established at the outset, ideas align more naturally and the result is more cohesive and impactful. Clear visual hierarchy is essential in guiding judges’ eyes towards the primary intention of the piece. Effective work has defined depth that separates the foreground, subject and background.

“The use of mixed media should demonstrate confidence and technical mastery. Excessive visual information can reduce clarity, particularly when viewed through photography. Without a dominant focal point, visual processing slows, so immediate readability is essential in competitive contexts. Simplifying and prioritising key elements strengthens the central message and enhances impact.

“Overall, a successful mixed media artwork demonstrates technical strength, creativity and confident risk-taking. Key judging criteria like impact, technique and originality may be met well, but improving visual clarity and engagement can elevate a piece to award-winning standards.”

To learn what Nailympia judges are looking for in competition creations, scan to view the organisation’s scoresheets.

Giselle Caballero, Canada – NAILS Next Top Nail Artist (NTNA) Season 7 winner, global educator & judge

@egobeauty.ca

“Mixed media doesn’t simply mean using lots of materials. I suggest starting a design with two techniques or textures you are confident with, and focusing on balance, structure and control before adding complexity.

“It’s important not to compare your starting point to someone else’s finished work. Mixed media is a personal creative journey, and confidence comes with time and experimentation. Develop your own approach, trust your instincts and allow your style to evolve naturally.

“One of the biggest mistakes I see artists make is skipping the concept planning stage. Many start using products and materials before deciding on a clear theme and direction, which leads to designs that feel confused rather than intentional.

“Another common issue is overloading nails. Without considering weight, structure and balance, designs can become bulky, unstable and visually overwhelming. Successful mixed media work comes from restraint and planning. Every element has a purpose and works together cohesively – both creatively and structurally.”

Elena Popova, Russia – nail expert, global educator, judge & mentor

@nailfp

“For mixed media competition work, detail, mathematical execution and high compliance with criteria are key. It’s important that the idea is easily readable and logically complete.

“A common mistake nail artists make is leaving out details in the ideas phase. They often begin work without foreseeing the end result, meaning they are more likely to make spontaneous decisions, experiment during the process and not properly refine details.

“The most important advice I can share is to try! Only through practice will you understand your strengths and true capabilities. Don’t wait for the perfect moment – it’s already here. If you’re serious about achieving results, working with an educator to learn mixed media basics will be a great help.”

Nail artistry by Elena’s student, Natalia Isakova.

Neurodiversity notes

“3D elements on nails can help neurodiverse clients to focus, regulate attention and improve cognitive performance,” shares UK nail artist Holly Morris-Last (@holly_stic). “This is in a more subtle way than fidget toys, because the 3D features are silent, discreet and require no visual attention. The repetitive motion of rubbing these elements on nails helps manage floating attention by stimulating the brain.”

Catherine Wong’s mixed media kit list

The award-winning nail artist, educator, judge & mentor shares her go-to products:

• Selection of nail art brushes.

• Nail tips.

• Watercolour palette.

• Gel colour palette.

• Silver and gold glitter gels.

• 3D powder/gel.

• Foils.

• Embellishments.

• Adhesive/gel.

• LED handheld torch light.

• Top coat.

@catherinewongnailqnailart

‘‘ Successful mixed media work comes from restraint and planning. Every element has a purpose and works together cohesively – both creatively and structurally. ‘‘

Product portfolio

HD Professional Nail Systems Plastilin Gel in Powder Blue

£9.99 + VAT www.hazeldixonnails.com

Available in 11 colours, this gel is highly pigmented with a thick viscosity, meaning it holds its shape when manipulated. It is ideal for 3D design creation.

HONA 3D Nail Art Sculpture Gel

£10 + VAT www.homeofnailart.com Home Of Nail Art 3D Gels feature a high viscosity formula that prioritises control and creative versatility. Use to craft detailed 3D designs with ease, and achieve a smooth, tack-free finish with the built-in top coat. The gels have a sheer finish, making them suitable for jelly art.

Laura Chree, an Artistic Nail Design educator at Sweet Squared, used Artistic Putty to add texture to this edgy design.

Artistic Putty Translucent Putty

£34.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com

“Artistic Putty offers the option to shape, extend and play as long as you like due to its zero-chase formula,” reveals Victoria Trafford, Artistic educator & brand manager at Sweet Squared. “Putty is a pre-mixed formula with the perfect working consistency for nail artists to unleash their creativity.”

CND™ education ambassador, Samantha Birkett-Leigh, used CND™ PLEXIGEL Shaper to create this 3D shell style.

CND™ PLEXIGEL Shaper £22.45 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com When it comes to building dimension, CND™ PLEXIGEL Shaper delivers flexibility and strength. “It is suited to creating 3D elements on nails, and can be used to encapsulate chunky glitters or secure embellishments and bullion,” Sarah Marr shares. “The multi-purpose product supports creative freedom and long-lasting wear.”

HD Professional Nail Systems Design It! UNIFLEX Gel (Clear) £9.99 + VAT www.hazeldixonnails.com

This universal, mouldable gel can be used to adhere rhinestones, create 3D artistry and carve out designs.

The GelBottle Inc Clear 3D Studio Gel™

£12 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com

This translucent, soak-off gel can be used alone or layered over gel colours to create sculpted, textured and dimensional effects. Its dense, buildable, non-drip formula ensures precise application, while the self-sealing finish eliminates the need for top coat. One pot affords approximately 15 designs or 35 nail art applications.

Andreia Professional Spider Gel in 04 Gold

£5.99 + VAT www.salon-services.comwww.andreiaprofessional.com

Spider Gel is a high viscosity, ultra-flexible gel designed specifically for creative nail art. Its thick, elastic texture allows artists to easily pull fine lines, geometric shapes and abstract designs without smudging or breaking.

Andreia Professional Gel Paint in 09 Neon Violet

£6.99 + VAT www.salon-services.comwww.andreiaprofessional.com This richly pigmented art gel offers precision and versatility. Its creamy, controlled consistency allows for smooth application without spreading, making it ideal for detailed artwork and layered designs.

CND Brisa™ Glass

£59.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com “CND Brisa™ Glass is a clear sculpting gel, perfect for embellishment encasement and negative space nail art,” explains Sarah Marr, CNDTM lead education ambassador for the UK. “Its crystal clear finish allows technicians to preserve design depth, while maintaining a clean, professional look.”

A fun, 3D nail design by Michaela Phillips.

Halo Jellie Glue UV/LED £12.99 + VAT

www.purenails.co.uk This highly versatile product can not only be used to secure Halo Jellie Nail Tips, but create 3D designs. The formula offers an extremely thick consistency, which is ideal for sculpting three-dimensional shapes. “Jellie Glue is one of my go-to products for mixed media and 3D nail designs due to its exceptional mouldability,” says

Michaela Phillips, Halo VIP & brand development executive. “What I love most is that it behaves like soft clay before curing, offering ample time to shape, refine and build texture without definition being lost.”