When it comes to nail art, no one in the world of Instagram does it better than Park Eunkyung of Unistella. Without a doubt, the Seoul-based nail artist is the queen of her craft. She’s even caught the attention of Vogue because she’s created the coolest designs in the business (see: her shattered glass nails, bracelet nails, neon-art nails… the list goes on), all of which she shares on the reg with her more than 230,000 followers. So you can bet that when I found myself in South Korea’s capital city for vacation, I just knew I had to pay her a visit in the city’s ritzy Cheongdam-dong district and pick her brain for some holiday nail inspo. (You’re welcome.)
If you (like me) didn’t leave a big enough window to go get a proper manicure and are tight on time, Park is here to help. Here are her best tips and tricks for how to recreate some of her most dazzling (and holiday-ready) nail art looks in the comfort of your own home. Who needs statement jewellery when your nails can do the talking?
Prism nails
The inspiration: Park’s pretty prism nails are meant to mimic the “interior surface of an abalone shell,” she says.
What you’ll need: Nude pink polish, white polish, aurora film, a slender writing brush, top coat and tweezers.
How to make it happen:
- Paint your nails with a nude pink polish.
- Cut the aurora film into thin strips.
- Place three to four film strips (or as many as you can fit side-by-side) on each nail.
- Carefully take off the surface of the film to reveal the “prism effect” with tweezers.
- Apply top coat.
- If you’re up for it, draw a 5-point star with a slender writing brush and white polish on your ring finger.
- Apply another layer of top coat.
Glitter outline nails
The inspiration: “I seek minimal designs. This one was inspired by the shape of a nail.”
What you’ll need: Top coat, round glitter and tweezers.
How to make it happen:
- Outline your nails with a top coat.
- Using tweezers, place the round glitter around the outline of your nails.
- Apply top coat.
Pearl cuticle nails
The inspiration: “This look is inspired by pearl necklaces,” says Eunkyung.
What you;ll need: Skin glue or brush-on adhesive, black or nude pink polish, mini pearl beads, tweezers and top coat.
How to make it happen:
- Apply nude pink or black polish on whichever nail you want.
- Apply top coat.
- Trace the outline of your nails with skin glue or brush-on adhesive.
- Place mini pearl beads around the outline of your nails with tweezers.
- Adjust to your liking.
Glitter bomb nails
The inspiration: “I love playing with the texture of glitter.”
What you’ll need: Top coat, dusting brush, silver powder glitter
*Warning* this will get messy
How to make it happen:
- Apply the top coat to your nails.
- Sprinkle silver powder glitter all over your nails.
- Brush off the excess powder glitter around the nail with a dusting brush
Note: Do not apply top coat for the last step
Star nails
The inspiration: “Star nails are the adult version of the sticker nails we used to do as a kid,” says Park.
What you’ll need: Star-shaped rhinestones or silver star-shaped stickers, top coat and clear nail glue.
How to make it happen:
- Put a drop of clear nail glue to the back of the star-shaped rhinestone (or star-shaped sticker) and place it in the middle of your nail.
- Apply top coat.
Related:
“Glass Skin” Is Our Fave New K-Beauty Trend—Here’s How to Get It
Trust: These Are the Top K-Beauty Brands You Need to Know About Right Now
We Found the Best Holiday Mani Inspo on Instagram
