The New Korean Nail Art Trend We’re Obsessed With

I would be lying if I said it wasn’t love at first sight when I chanced upon this trend on Instagram recently. The shattered glass manicure, or glass nails, is the brainchild of celebrity nail artist Eunkyung Park — the owner of Unistella Salon in Seoul and manicurist to pretty much every major celebrity in South Korea. Park developed the technique by sticking on minuscule strips of cellophane on her nails to create the 3D glass effect. One post on Instagram a few months ago made the trend a rage in Korea, and has now gone completely viral with salons and mani-addicts across the world mimicking the style for themselves.

 

#burgundy + #glass #glassnails #unistella

A photo posted by 유니스텔라 네일_박은경 (@nail_unistella) on Oct 11, 2015 at 11:07pm PDT

 

Wondering how you can do it IRL? It’s all about working with minimal designs and colours. You can also opt for a neutral base colour and wear it to work.

 

New things: Kurva stack rings from fave Indonesian jewelry designer @fromtinyislands and DIY glassnail stickers from @modinail_official & @unistella_by_ek_lab colab. Super affordable chic! ????#modi_unistella #fromtinyislands #kurvastacks #indonesiandesigner #unistella #glassnails #unistella_glassnails #kbeauty #koreanbeauty #indonesianfashion #indonesianjewelry #모디X유니스텔라 #모디 #유니스텔라

A photo posted by 사라케이트 Sarah Kate Watson-Baik (@urbanwit) on Oct 14, 2015 at 10:33pm PDT

 

Here’s how to DIY it yourself: First, cut out tiny triangular shapes from an iridescent cellophane sheet. Then apply two coats of your favourite base colour, and while the second coat is still wet, place the little strips of cellophane with a toothpick dipped in water (this will help you pick up individual pieces with ease). While placing the shards, be sure to leave some space between each piece. Seal this in place with top coat.

If you’re still wondering how to do it right, check out this super simple video below. Then continue scrolling for all the inspiration you need on this utterly cool new technique. You can thank me later!

 

 

손에서 빛나기 ✨#glassnails A photo posted by 유니스텔라 네일_박은경 (@nail_unistella) on Nov 22, 2015 at 7:05am PST

 

???? #Repost @patriciachangny ・・・ Coco be like “Monday’s” ???? Got my first gel nail experience!! Thank you for pampering me @peachandlily via the most talented @nail_unistella, all the way from Korea ?? Land of all the coolest trends! Ever heard of #glassnails? It was invented by @nail_unistella ??✨?? #manicuremondays A photo posted by 유니스텔라 네일_박은경 (@nail_unistella) on Nov 3, 2015 at 5:38am PST

   

When I felt like glaming up my itty bitty nails | Presto Black with loose foil for the broken glass effect #karlasoriginailkolors #gelmani #fall #sweaterweather #nubscanbecutetoo #glassnails #foil #nailswag #nailart #trend #popular #holidaynails #starwars #galactic #galaxy A photo posted by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Karla P. Sorto (@karlasoriginailkolors) on Nov 25, 2015 at 11:17am PST

 

보석 ? A photo posted by 유니스텔라 네일_박은경 (@nail_unistella) on Oct 19, 2015 at 11:45am PDT

   

one piece ?#glass #black & #glossy #glassnail A photo posted by 유니스텔라 네일_박은경 (@nail_unistella) on Oct 27, 2015 at 7:10am PDT

 

내 스타일로 말할 것 같으면 #minimal #black #chic #simple ????? UNIQUE?????? #negativespacenails + #glassnails = #holenails #구멍네일 #홀네일 A photo posted by 유니스텔라 네일_박은경 (@nail_unistella) on Nov 2, 2015 at 8:38am PST

   

??????#glassnails#brokenglass#bluenavy #navy #elegant#glass#granat #hologram#holographic#sparkles#hybrydnails#hybrydy#nailsart #nails2inspire #nailswag#nails#nailsinspiration#mypassion#exclusive#instanails#polishnails #polishgirl#gorlice#instagood#dream#redlipstickmonster#ellezpazurem A photo posted by SyBi (@sybigaga) on Nov 19, 2015 at 12:14pm PST

 

잘 댕기올께요❤️ Go to #Newyork 10/25~31 ???????? ??? ???? A photo posted by 유니스텔라 네일_박은경 (@nail_unistella) on Oct 24, 2015 at 5:27pm PDT