Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the flashiest of them all? Nails, duh! But not just any nails – we’re talking Korean Glass Nails. Not just a twinkle or a glint, but a full-on cosmic explosion on your fingertips. K-Pop, who? Now it’s K-Nails leading the trend wagon. All credit to Eunkyung Park, the nail wizard at Unistella Salon in Seoul. The trend blew up the socials faster than you can say “double-tap.”
Who Needs Rings When Your Fingers are the Jewels?
Start with a clear polish base coat, the foundation of your mini galaxy. Then, it’s arts and crafts time! Trim some shiny cellophane or holographic film into teeny tiny bits. But don’t go reaching for that old Christmas cellophane – you want the kind that’s got more shine than a disco ball. Apply those fragments onto your base coat and finish it off with a top coat of clear polish, because we like our art sealed and secured.
Whisper or Scream? You Decide
Want to be subtly fabulous or boldly flashy? With Korean Glass Nails, you can do either. Go for a single-color cellophane for a soft, mesmerizing effect. If you’re more about drama, use a mix of cellophane colors for a patchwork of brilliance. There’s no limit except your imagination and possibly the size of your nails.
DIY? Do it!
Scared of DIY? Don’t be. This nail trend is as easy as making an Insta reel. But be smart about it – use high-quality cellophane or holographic film. Remember, this is your hand’s time to shine, not the moment to be thriftier than a yard sale.
How to Do Glass Nails:
Here’s your shopping list, folks:
- Base coat: The canvas for your masterpiece. It also saves your nails from any sticky situations.
- Cellophane or holographic film: The stars of the show. Look for different colors and patterns to make a real splash. We like this one.
- Top coat: The guardian of your galaxy. It ensures your sparkle doesn’t chip off.
- Nail clippers or scissors: Your tools to trim the cellophane or film to the perfect size.
- Cuticle oil: The moisturizer your nails didn’t know they needed. Keeps them hydrated and strong.
- UV Lamp: If you’re using gels you probably need one of these.
6 Steps to Stellar Digits
- Prep those nails – push back your cuticles and file your nails to your favorite shape.
- Slather on that base coat of clear polish.
- Cut the cellophane or holographic film to tiny sizes.
- Time to stick – place the pieces on your nails.
- Put on a top coat of clear polish.
- Keep those cuticles happy with some oil.
Need a visual guide? Check out this tutorial from nail queen, Maphie:
Transcript
Hi everyone,
In this video, I’m going to show you how to recreate the glass nail trend at home. This is a new nail trend that originated in Korea and has been all over Instagram. It’s super easy to achieve and looks amazing.
To get started, you’ll need the following supplies:
A clear base coat
Iridescent cellophane
A clear top coat
A UV lamp
Small scissors
First, prep your nails by pushing back your cuticles and filing them into shape. Then, apply a clear base coat.
Next, cut the cellophane into small triangles or pointy shapes. The base coat will be sticky at this point, so you can place the cellophane pieces on your nails without using any glue.
Once you’ve placed all of the cellophane pieces, apply a clear top coat. Be sure to apply the top coat to the tips of your nails as well, to make them last longer.
Cure the top coat in your UV lamp for 90 seconds. Repeat the second coat if you think you need to.
Finally, remove the sticky layer with your gel cleanser. And that’s it! You’ve now recreated the glass nail trend at home.
That’s a (cellophane) wrap!
Korean Glass Nails are the ultimate addition to your nail art repertoire. Whether it’s a subtle shimmer for a coffee date or a vibrant blast for a festival, there’s a look for every mood. So flex those fingers, grab your nail supplies, and let’s sparkle!
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