Are you ready, kids (and adults)? 🤭 The summer heat makes us envious of our childhood best friend, SpongeBob. For a nostalgic twist on summer, we created this DIY Bikini Bottom flower clouds nail art tutorial. Plus, this manicure doubles as a brilliant afternoon activity with your kids. Trust me, you don’t need the precise hands of Squidward playing the clarinet to pull this off, as it is super beginner-friendly. Go ahead and grab these nail must-haves, drop on the deck, and flop like a fish, because we’re driving straight into this tutorial! 1. Apply your oceanic base color Every great piece of art needs an iconic background. Start by applying a smooth layer of LB Halo Gel - H10 Ocean Bliss, a holographic blue base color. Build up the base in 2-3 thin, even coats, or until you reach your desired opacity, then cure for 30 seconds. The fine glitter particles of this shade catch the light with every hand movement, giving your nails that instant, magical underwater feel before you even start painting the design. 2. Paint a pastel yellow flower cloud It’s time to bring in those legendary, whimsical flower clouds, starting right in the center with a pastel yellow gel. This shade is the ultimate feel-good color for this set because it instantly screams sunshine, optimism, and everyone’s favorite hyperactive sponge. Using 09 - Bumble Bee of Line Art Gel Kit - 24 Colors and a line brush, gently trace a wavy, five-lobed flower outline and a small circle at the center. Flash cure for 15-30 seconds, and don’t worry about making it perfectly symmetrical because real cartoon clouds always have a fluid, organic shape. 3. Add a mint green flower cloud Next up, we are going to layer the look by placing a cool mint green flower cloud near the top edge of your nail tip. The refreshing pastel shade of 07- Minty from Line Art Gel Kit - 24 Colors works beautifully here because it provides a soft contrast against the blue background without overpowering the yellow center. When you’re painting this one, let a couple of the petals hug the side curve of the nail to create a more natural, continuous effect. Once you are happy with its wiggly shape, put it under the flash-curing lamp for 15-30 seconds to set. 4. Pop in a deep pink flower cloud Of course, there should be a subtle nod to our lovable, clueless starfish, Patrick! Anchor the look with a deep pink flower cloud using 21 High Heels of the Line Art Gel Kit - 24 Colors right at the base. This warm color beautifully balances out the cooler mint and blue tones, making the entire nail design visually harmonious. Again, give it a nice, quick cure so our colorful trio is locked in place and leave just enough room for our final details. 5. Draw white bubbles on empty spaces What is an underwater adventure without a few floating bubbles drifting through the water? Bubbles are a brilliant design trick because they effortlessly break up any awkward negative space while pulling the whole nautical theme together. Take your thin liner brush and use a bright, crisp white gel like the 01 - White On White from the Line Art Gel Kit - 24 Colors to paint a few delicate circles and dots in the spaces. To make them look extra realistic, you can leave the centers hollow or add a tiny curved highlight to give them a three-dimensional appearance. Flash-cure these bubbles immediately so they don’t lose their crisp, round shapes. 6. Seal with a glossy, no-wipe top coat Finally, it’s time to wrap up this masterpiece by sealing your hard work with a generous layer of iGel Beauty No Cleanse Top Coat. This final step is crucial because it smooths out any minor ridges from the gel line work, leaving you with a glassy, professional finish. Once you finish your final full cure under the UV/LED lamp, your nails will be completely smudge-proof and ready to withstand a full day of jellyfishing. What is F.U.N.? Let SpongeBob spell it and show it for you with this Bikini Bottom-inspired nail tutorial. What cartoon nail art should we recreate next? For more beginner-friendly nail tutorials, seasonal design inspos, and nail tech tips, make sure to follow our journey on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. As creatives, never lose the SpongeBob mindset: "With imagination, you can be anything you want”. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno on May 27, 2026 Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With a diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa shares the latest trends and curates tutorials and tips to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
