Western Tassel Nails: Boho 3D Fringe Nail Art Tutorial

Channel your inner cowgirl with these boho western tassel nails. In this Not A Nail Tech tutorial, we create a western-style fringed 3D nail inspired by a tasselled vest. The tan base is matte to look like leather, the tassels are cut from a homemade sheet of cured gel, and little gold studs finish it off.

The clever part is the gel sheet. By curing layers of builder gel and colour on a piece of plastic, then peeling it off and cutting it into fine strips, you can create real 3D fringing that lifts away from the nail just like suede tassels.

Western tassel nails are bold, playful and completely unique. The matte tan finish genuinely looks like leather, and because the tassel ends are left free, they lift slightly where the nail curves, so they look as though they're blowing in the wind.

It's also a fun way to experiment with a technique you might not have tried before. Making your own gel sheet opens up all sorts of creative possibilities, and the gold studs add a finishing touch that ties the whole boho look together.

Mix Bare Hug with Top Coat and apply a really thin layer for a natural-looking base. Cure for 60 seconds, then apply a second coat so the colour shows a little more and cure for another 60 seconds.

Using Bare Hug on its own, paint a really high smile line to mark where the design will go. Don't cure it yet.

With the normal bottle brush, fill in the rest of the nail with Bare Hug so it blends with the uncured line. Cure for 60 seconds, then add a second coat so it's completely opaque and as smooth as possible, and cure again.

Apply Ultra Matte Coat over the nail so the tan colour looks like matte leather rather than shiny. Make sure it goes on nice and smooth, then cure for 60 seconds.

On a piece of plastic, spread out two coats of Clear As Day builder gel to make a slightly thicker sheet. Cure, add a layer of Bare Hug and cure again, then finish the sheet with Matte Coat and cure.

Go back over the sheer area at the top of the nail with Top Coat so it looks like the natural nail rather than matte, then cure.

Peel the sheet off the plastic – it comes off relatively easily. Trim the ends with scissors so they're smooth, then cut the sheet into really fine strips. The finer the better, as long as they don't snap, so they look realistic.

Stick the strips on with Clear As Day builder gel, fixing them flat at the top but leaving the ends free so they lift slightly where the nail curves and look like they're blowing in the wind. Cure after every one or two strands so they stay in place. Make the middle tassel the longest, with each one beside it a little shorter so they flow around the nail.

Dot down a little Clear As Day and place gold studs on top, starting with a slightly bigger one in the middle and smaller ones around the sides. The Picker Upper Pen really helps with these fiddly pieces. Move them around until you're happy with the placement, then flash cure in between to finish your western tassel nails.

• Use a flat surface for your sheet. A plastic bag can be a bit wobbly, so flatter plastic or a flat table will give you a smoother sheet.
• Go matte for realism. The Matte Coat makes the tassels look like leather – shiny tassels wouldn't give the same effect.
• Cure little and often. Curing every one or two strands stops the tassels moving out of place.
• Save it for special occasions. This design isn't practical for a full set worn for weeks, but it would make a great set of press-ons for fancy dress or a western look.
• Graduate the lengths. Making the middle tassel the longest and each one beside it a little shorter helps the fringe flow around the nail.

Western tassel nails are perfect for creative DIY nail lovers who enjoy trying something completely different. As part of the Not A Nail Tech series, the steps are designed to be achievable at home, although cutting and attaching fine tassels does take patience.

Because this design isn't practical for a full set worn for weeks, it's best suited to special occasions. Think festivals, fancy dress, themed parties or a western-inspired photoshoot, where a statement set of press-ons would really steal the show.

Once you've tried the technique, you can adapt your western tassel nails using the same products and steps:

• Add tassels to just one accent nail and keep the rest in matte tan Bare Hug.
• Change the number and size of gold studs for a simpler or more embellished finish.
• Cut the strips slightly shorter or longer to change the length of the fringe.
• Create the design as a set of press-ons for a fancy dress or western look.

As with any gel set, a little aftercare goes a long way. Apply cuticle oil regularly to keep the skin around the nails hydrated, and wear gloves when cleaning or washing up. Avoid using your nails as tools, and don't pick or peel at the gel, as this can damage the natural nail underneath.

The free tassel ends are delicate and can catch on clothing and hair, so treat them gently. When you're ready to remove the design, have the gel removed properly rather than pulling off the tassels or studs.

Spread two coats of Clear As Day builder gel on a piece of plastic and cure, add a layer of Bare Hug and cure, then finish with Matte Coat and cure. Peel the sheet off, trim the ends and cut it into really fine strips.

Fix the strips flat at the top with Clear As Day but leave the ends free, so they lift slightly where the nail curves and look like they're blowing in the wind.

Matte Coat makes the tan colour and the tassels look like leather. Shiny tassels wouldn't give the same effect.

It isn't practical for a full set worn for weeks, but it would make a great set of press-ons for fancy dress or a western look.

With a matte leather-look base, 3D fringing that moves with you and shiny gold studs, these western tassel nails are a true statement. Watch the full Not A Nail Tech video tutorial above, gather the products listed, and give this boho design a try.