Fairy-Tale Nails: Mushroom Gel Art Made Easy
How to Create Mushroom Gel Nail Art: Step-by-Step Tutorial 🌙🍄
If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen mushroom nails popping up everywhere. From cottage core vibes to fairy-tale fantasy, this whimsical nail art trend is a favourite for autumn and festival season. It’s playful, creative, and surprisingly easy to recreate with gel polish and the right nail art brushes.
Using gel polish and the right nail art brushes, you can create a detailed design that looks professional but is easy to follow at home or in the salon. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to painting mushrooms on nails using the Katie Barnes Brush Range.
Step 1 – Create the Mushroom Stems
On a matte top coat base, use the KB Brush 04 to paint the mushroom stems. A matte surface makes it easier to control your brush strokes and keep crisp lines.
Step 2 – Add the Mushroom Caps
Using gel polish, paint rounded, almost triangle-like shapes at the top of each stem – these will form your mushroom caps. Refine the edges with KB Brush 01 if needed. Cure once you’re happy.
Step 3 – Blend the Ombre Effect
With KB Brush 01, apply a small amount of dark brown thick art gel to the very top of the mushroom cap. Then, using a clean, dry KB Brush 03, gently drag and pat the gel downwards to create a soft ombre fade. Cure.
Step 4 – Add Depth with Black Gel
Take KB Brush 01 and black art gel to draw a swirl through the middle of the cap, then outline the top edge for extra definition.
Step 5 – Outline the Cap and Stem
Carefully outline the top half of the stem and the underside of the mushroom cap. Cure.
Step 6 – Refine the Outline
Finish outlining your mushroom. Keep brush strokes light and even to avoid patchy or blotchy lines. Consistent pressure is the secret to neat, professional linework.
Step 7 – Add Fine Details
Using the very tip of KB Brush 01, add extra details to the mushroom stem and the underside of the cap for more realism. Cure.
Step 8 – Seal the Design
Apply your favourite top coat to finish. This mushroom nail design looks beautiful with both a matte top coat for a soft, earthy vibe or a glossy top coat for a bold, polished look. Cure to complete.
And that’s it – your whimsical mushroom gel nail art is complete! Perfect for woodland, fairy-tale or autumn-inspired nail sets.
Shop the Katie Barnes Brush Collection here.