About This Treatment
This set was done by our nailist Mami at lull. in Harajuku. The menu was Full Design Custom, which started with removing the guest’s previous acrylic and extension set, including the 3D parts on top. The guest visiting us this time was from Canada.
Design Points
Purple was the anchor of the whole set. Rather than repeating one flat shade across ten nails, Mami built the design around variations in depth and finish, so the color reads differently depending on the angle and the light.
Because the previous set carried acrylic length and 3D work, the removal stage mattered as much as the art itself. The old structure was taken down carefully so the natural nail surface stayed even, and the new design was built on that flat, reliable base. Full Design Custom means each nail is planned individually, so the ten nails work as one set while none of them is an exact copy of another.
Her Visit
Our guest came from Canada and is also fluent in French, so the conversation moved between languages more than once during the appointment. She was in Tokyo with three friends, working through the city together, and stopped by lull. as part of that trip.
When we asked about color, the answer was immediate: purple, without hesitation. That made the direction easy to lock in from the start. She looked genuinely pleased when the finished set was in front of her.
Care and Style Points
A few notes on this type of service, for anyone considering something similar.
Removing an existing acrylic or extension set with 3D parts is not a two-minute job. The bulk has to be filed down first, then the remaining layer is softened and lifted off, and rushing that step is what damages the nail plate. If you are coming to Japan with a set already on, allow extra time in your booking for the removal.
A gel design on natural nails generally holds its look for around three to four weeks, depending on how fast your nails grow and how much you use your hands. Cuticle oil once a day is the single most effective habit — it keeps the skin around the nail soft and reduces the chance of the edges lifting. Gloves for dishes and cleaning help too.
Full Design Custom suits people who want every nail to be considered rather than one design repeated across the hand. It also works well if you have a color you love but no fixed image beyond that — the color becomes the brief, and the rest is built around it.
A Note from Mami
Having a single clear starting point like “purple” is honestly one of the easier ways to begin a custom set. It sets the boundary, and everything after that is about how far you can push the shade within it — lighter, deeper, more or less reflective — without the set falling apart visually.
The removal took some patience with the 3D parts in place, but getting that base flat is what made the color sit cleanly afterward. Seeing her reaction at the end made the extra time on that step worth it.
Book Your Appointment at lull.
lull. is an English-friendly nail salon in Harajuku, and you can book online at online. Walk-ins depend on availability, so reserving ahead is the safer option if you have a set travel schedule. Our latest work is posted on Instagram (@nail_lull.tokyo) and TikTok (@nail_lull.tokyo).
