Forget those normal stick-on nails, you can turn your fingertips into bizarre works of art with 3D-printed nails.
False nails have been around a long time, but they’ve been mostly pretty staid. They tend to come in natural colors, red, or pinks, or with Hello Kitty patterns if you’re getting really crazy with it. A pair of designer/artists known as The Laser Girls are turning the fake-nail world on its head with wild 3D-printed creations.
The Laser Girls’ nails come in unusual colors like purple and black. The Black Castle design lends a long and creepy goth style to your fingertips, with a raised filigree pattern and pointy ends that look ready-made to top off a wicked-witch costume. They’re printed out in nylon plastic.
Another popular set has raised bumps along the top, making them look like a Lego piece got together with a Lee Press-on Nail and had kids. The nails are attached using either nail glue or thin mounting tape, like the kind used for scrapbooking. The nails can be used multiple times if you are careful with them.
The Laser Girls were recently chosen as spotlight designers-in-residence at 3D-printing company Shapeways, where full nail sets can be purchased for between $35 and $140. The priciest ones are printed in bronze-infused stainless steel. There are more designs on the way, including ones that look like bubbling molecules, and ones with chevron patterns.
These nails should put us one step closer to a complete 3D-printed fashion makeover. Just add them on with a 3D-printed dress, some 3D-printed shoes, and a 3D-printed necklace.