The world is obsessed with K-drama and all things Korean. From skincare and jewelry to TV shows and celebrity crushes, Gen Z is crazily in love with the Korean era. And why not? No matter whether it is men or makeup, everything from South Korea is so damn dreamy! It has us all in Delulu thinking we are in a fairyland!
Recall those juicy-tinted lips or those glossy cherry earrings and whatnot. All those Pinteresty looks are now possible to achieve, thanks to the fascinating Korean beauty world. One such pretty craze that is currently ruling the beauty industry is Korean manicures.
All those beautiful jelly nails, syrup nails, blush nails, and 3D bejeweled designs are types of Korean nails. So if you’re wondering what Korean manicures are in the first place and what’s the hype about the trend, you’ve landed at the right place. The Nails Girl is here with a detailed guide about Korean nails and how you can achieve the look.
Korean Manicure: What are Korean Nails and Why are they Trending?
If you’re a dedicated nail enthusiast, you probably have an idea about what different kinds of manicures are. When we refer to a manicure by a particular name, it describes the way that mani is performed or how it looks.
Simply put, if you’re speaking of a Russian manicure, it is obvious that some specific tools are used in a specific way to get the desired results. Contrarily, when you look at the good old classic nail design with a pink and white combination in a particular base-and-tip fashion, you know for sure that it’s a French manicure. Similarly, Korean manicures look a certain way and are done in a specific manner. How? Don’t worry, you’ll know everything by the end of this reading. So, follow us till the end.
What are Korean Nails?
Today, South Korean cosmetics have conquered the global beauty industry. Companies manufacturing Korean skincare and makeup products are ruling everyone’s hearts. Be it Gen Z or Gen Alpha and even millennials, every girl from every generation is literally obsessed with Korean products. Almost every girl has at least one Korean product on her vanity from toners and tints to hair accessories and jewelry. But other than the products and cosmetics, one more thing that is in great demand is the Korean manicure trend.
The manicure style adopted by Korean women for their nails has attracted nail lovers and fashionistas from across the world. But what’s the hype all about? Well, Korean nails have an aesthetic of their own with glossy coats, nude or bright tones, and unique designs.
To define, a Korean manicure is a style preferred by Korean women to design their nails in specific colors and looks. Korean nail art basically represents your individual taste with its versatility. You can embrace your understated style statement or showcase your loud personality with an explosion of colors and rhinestones. Just as a Russian manicure uses an e-file for that clean girl aesthetic and a French manicure uses the OG nude and white colors for that classy charm, similarly the Korean manicure plays with classics and fun designs offering more room for creativity.
An ideal Korean nail design is done on some classic nail shapes such as almonds and ovals. The idea is to adopt a soft, feminine charm and top it off with high-shine colors and art materials to make it stand out. Other than playing with a combination of colors, Korean nail art usually stands out because of its accent element which is a bright or glossy artwork. It could be glitters, bright colors, decals, chromes, 3D droplets, rhinestones, or some other prominent nail decor.
More often than not, a 3D element is a recognizable feature inherent in Korean manicures which makes them stand out from the rest of the designs. From minimalist to maximalist, all designs incorporate rhinestones and gems in their own creative fashion. From an accent stone to subtle scattering across the nail plate and from monochromatic collections to multi-colored and high-shine stones, it has it all.
But what if you have a minimalistic style aesthetic? Not to worry again! A Korean mani has you covered. Even if you are a sucker for nude colors and barely-there designs, a Korean manicure doesn’t spare you with just a single tone or art. For minimalistic Korean nails too, there’d be many small elements and textures to balance the brightness and contrast.
What is the Hype about Korean Nails?
K-nails are just as popular as K-pop and for all the right reasons. They are among the trendiest nail designs and we’re not surprised. The hype is all about the glass-like finish which is the signature feature of Korean nails. They offer a high-shine, glossy appearance seemingly like lip gloss for nails. And when they have a touch of a soft nude color blurred out on the base, they give away all the dreamy vibes. Imagine that subtle gloss on your lips with a soft pink tint! Can it get prettier?
The dreamy-looking Korean trend must have covered all over your Pinterest boards and Instagram feeds and here’s how to recognize them. If you see nail art trends like aurora nails, blush nails, syrup nails, or anything replicating semi-sheer jelly looks, you already know what it is. Resembling the OG Korean glass skin standards, these Korean manicures replicate the perfect blush nails creating soft color gradients and reflecting bright sheen.
The Korean-inspired nail gels are not only in nude tones but in all shades of blues, greens, purples, and even blacks and whites. Essentially, it’s the formulation and the texture of the gel that is key to achieving the look. When using Korean nail products for those dreamy syrup nails or jelly nails, you’ll see how the product texture enhances the overall charm of your manicure.
The long and short of all this is that Korean manicures are characterized by their emphasis on minimalism and creativity. Korean nails offer a fun blend of subtle and vibrant hues paired with high-gloss top coats. The overall aesthetic resembles a visually stunning yet effortlessly chic charm.
The OG glass-like finish is obtained by a jelly nail polish on the base and a super-glossy top coat. These are the key essentials in any Korean manicure. Here’s what else you need to get those dreamy K-nails.
What are the Essentials?
Many nail products are commonly used in most manicures especially the prepping tools like buffers and nail files. But certain nail art essentials are dedicatedly used for a particular kind of manicure to achieve the signature look. Think of an electric nail drill and all you can recall is a Russian manicure. Similarly, Korean manicures stand out because of their specific nail art essentials particularly the gels and glossy polishes.
The holy grail products that give a unique charm to your Korean manicures include clear foundation gels and builder gels, HD-effect gels in all colors, high-gloss top coats, and the like.
Foundation Gels
A good base coat is key to a long-lasting manicure and in the case of Korean nails, you need a more versatile base or builder gel. This will create an illusion of thicker and borderline bulkier nails which is the ideal appearance in K-manis. Besides, such gels have a unique formulation that provides great sealing to all the glitters and chromes you plan to top it off with. You may look for a thicker viscosity gel as it is the formulation of the Korean gel nail products that makes all the difference. Opt for premium quality Korean gels to get the base right. You may even go for a structured gel manicure to get a more plumped, natural, and healthy-looking manicure.
Even for encapsulating all your art materials like glitters, decals, rhinestones, and even charms like coquette bows, studs, etc., you will require a good-quality builder gel. Opt for a shiny mirror-like finish BIAB to make the most out of it.
HD-Effect Gels in all Colors
The key to achieving the dreamiest Korean nails is investing in a good set of nail colors. The secret is getting highly pigmented, creamy, and smooth colors in a pastel palette. The gels in a Korean manicure set aren’t the usual solid hues and are generally milkier in effect. Semi-sheer nude shades in vanilla, beige, and pinkish-lavender tones are the ones that rule the palette though. The best look comes from translucent jelly gels which help in all those syrup nails and lip gloss nail trends.
Top Coats
Just as you’d do in a base coat, opt for a thicker consistency when choosing your top coats. Make sure your top coats aren’t runny polishes and come with super scratch-resistant properties to make your Korean mani last longer. The most relevant top coats for Korean nail art are the thicker, anti-scratch, anti-yellowing, and high-shine ones.
How to Get the Korean Look?
If you’re planning to get the OG Korean nails from a professional salon, you simply need to ask for it and maybe show a reference and you’re good to go. But if you wish to DIY the look, you need to be sure of some basics:
1) The foremost step in any DIY manicure is good nail prep. Start by cleansing your nails followed by trimming the length and filing the right shape. Korean nails are generally small to medium in length with more rounded and softer shapes. Next, clean up your cuticles as a clean base makes room for a longer-lasting and pretty-looking manicure. Layer up with your base coat or BIAB.
2) Once your base is ready, choose your color and art. Now that you’re aiming for a K-mani, the trick is to look for soft pastel colors that have a delicate and feminine charm. Indulge in a more minimalistic and subtle design that resembles an understated elegance. Despite a focus on simplicity and a minimalist approach, the idea is to opt for intricate detailing. Add a touch of sophistication with pretty rhinestones or charms. Seal everything in with a super-glossy top coat.
Now if you feel all this won’t turn up the way you’ve imagined if you DIY it and you’ll end up in a mess, we have a hack for you. If you want to do a Korean manicure without spending hours on getting your skills and tools right, press-on nails can come to your rescue. Invest in a good set of Korean press-on nails which are readymade, predesigned nails that can cater to your choices.
Many press-on nail designs are available in the market and with Korean nails ruling the industry, you can choose Korean press-ons with 3D designs and amazing artwork. You can even get yourself a custom set made by your favorite nail tech and you’ll easily DIY your Korean mani without a fuss!
Wrapping Up Korean Manicure
The allure of the Korean Manicure lies in its unique blend of tradition, innovation, and artistic flair. As we’ve journeyed through the world of Korean nails, it’s clear why they are not just a fleeting trend but a lasting beauty phenomenon. From their meticulous designs to the influence of K-pop culture, K-nails encapsulate a vibrant expression of individuality and creativity.
The Korean mani isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a testament to the cultural emphasis on self-care and beauty as forms of personal expression. With techniques that range from delicate, minimalist art to bold, eye-catching designs, there’s a Korean nail design for everyone. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, exploring Korean nail art can add a fresh, dynamic edge to your beauty routine. The popularity of the Korean manicure is a celebration of innovation and cultural fusion, inviting us to embrace a beauty trend that is as diverse and dynamic as the individuals who wear it.
So, why not dive into the world of Korean nails and discover your next favorite manicure trend? Whether for a special occasion or everyday wear, the K-mani promises to elevate your nail game to new heights.
