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6 Korean Nail Art Trends We’re Using as Mani Inspo in 2026
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@sansungnails / Instagram
With designs that could easily hang in the MoMA, Korean nail art consistently sets the global standard. From jaw-dropping 3D creations to intricately layered swirls of color, the trends that emerge from Korea each year are true works of art. Rather than traveling across the globe to get the most in-demand manicures, we spoke with three Korean nail artists about the trends defining 2026—and how to recreate the looks yourself. Ahead, browse six Korean nail art looks you’ll see everywhere in the coming months.
Meet the Experts
Sarah Chue is a celebrity nail artist based in Los Angeles.
Jin Soon is a celebrity manicurist, editorial nail artist, and founder of JINsoon nail lacquer line.
San Sung Kim is a nail artist, specializing in minimalistic to avant-garde hand-painted nails.
Syrup Watercolor Nails
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@jinsoon / Instagram
One trend we can’t get enough of is the syrupy, jelly watercolor nails. The chic yet minimalist manicure echoes a translucent effect that looks like thick, sticky syrup. Chue says that to recreate this style, jelly gel nail polish is a must. “Use a few coats of each color to achieve the desired look. Then, to dress up the nails, play with details such as minimal 3D designs and lines, or even small jewels.” The key, she adds, is to keep designs minimal and keep the nails short.
Blush Nails
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@ujeinail / Instagram
Expect to see blush nails all over your feed, if you aren’t already. Designed to mimic a natural flush on the cheeks, Chue says this ultra-girly mani centers around a soft blush color at the center of the nails that gently diffuses out. “To nail the blush nail trend, apply a translucent nude color as the base and cure it,” she shares. “Then, seal it with a matte topcoat. With a round, puffy brush, dab a blush-toned nail powder in the center of the nail a few times until you achieve an ombre circle. Finish it off with a non-wipe topcoat.”
Textured Waves
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@dvok_official/ Instagram
“Texture is trending right now because it adds interest to the nails without relying on strong color,” Soon says. Neutral and jelly bases make for the perfect backdrop, allowing visible brush strokes and soft wave and swirl patterns to take center stage and add a bit of movement to the manicure, but metallics and chromes work equally well. When the nails are slightly wet, Soon says to use a flat brush or lightly press plastic wrap onto the polish, and then remove it, which creates organic texture.
3D Charms
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@sansungnails / Instagram
The longer the nails, the more real estate there is for a smattering of 3D nail charms, from avant-garde rhinestones to realistic-looking florals. Kim says 3D nails bedecked with jewels and accents are the perfect way to have fun with the nails. “Think about using different textures and shapes in the same color story to really emphasize the design,” she says.
Raindrop Nails
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@sansungnails / Instagram
Raindrop nails (also known as a 3D blob manicure) are exactly what they sound like: realistic-looking amorphous drops on the nails that mimic raindrops to add texture to a manicure. “Most nail artists use clear builder gel to create these bubble-like globes on the nail that look like freshly fallen rain,” says Kim. Whether worn clear or accessorized with colored polish, she adds that the circles also work well on top of any design to make a statement.
Fruit Peel Nails
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@sansungnails / Instagram
Food-inspired nails always make the rounds, but with this trend, it’s all about creating a manicure that mirrors the texture of the skin or peel of juicy fruits, like figs, grapes, and peach skins. “The look isn’t literal but instead is done in a very abstract way,” Soon says. “It feels playful yet elevated at the same time because thin strokes and small speckles of polish are used to create the texture, keeping the design more subtle.”
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6 Korean Nail Art Trends We’re Using as Mani Inspo in 2026
@sansungnails / Instagram
With designs that could easily hang in the MoMA, Korean nail art consistently sets the global standard. From jaw-dropping 3D creations to intricately layered swirls of color, the trends that emerge from Korea each year are true works of art. Rather than traveling across the globe to get the most in-demand manicures, we spoke with three Korean nail artists about the trends defining 2026—and how to recreate the looks yourself. Ahead, browse six Korean nail art looks you’ll see everywhere in the coming months.
Meet the Experts
Sarah Chue is a celebrity nail artist based in Los Angeles.
Jin Soon is a celebrity manicurist, editorial nail artist, and founder of JINsoon nail lacquer line.
San Sung Kim is a nail artist, specializing in minimalistic to avant-garde hand-painted nails.
Syrup Watercolor Nails
@jinsoon / Instagram
One trend we can’t get enough of is the syrupy, jelly watercolor nails. The chic yet minimalist manicure echoes a translucent effect that looks like thick, sticky syrup. Chue says that to recreate this style, jelly gel nail polish is a must. “Use a few coats of each color to achieve the desired look. Then, to dress up the nails, play with details such as minimal 3D designs and lines, or even small jewels.” The key, she adds, is to keep designs minimal and keep the nails short.
Blush Nails
@ujeinail / Instagram
Expect to see blush nails all over your feed, if you aren’t already. Designed to mimic a natural flush on the cheeks, Chue says this ultra-girly mani centers around a soft blush color at the center of the nails that gently diffuses out. “To nail the blush nail trend, apply a translucent nude color as the base and cure it,” she shares. “Then, seal it with a matte topcoat. With a round, puffy brush, dab a blush-toned nail powder in the center of the nail a few times until you achieve an ombre circle. Finish it off with a non-wipe topcoat.”
Textured Waves
@dvok_official/ Instagram
“Texture is trending right now because it adds interest to the nails without relying on strong color,” Soon says. Neutral and jelly bases make for the perfect backdrop, allowing visible brush strokes and soft wave and swirl patterns to take center stage and add a bit of movement to the manicure, but metallics and chromes work equally well. When the nails are slightly wet, Soon says to use a flat brush or lightly press plastic wrap onto the polish, and then remove it, which creates organic texture.
3D Charms
@sansungnails / Instagram
The longer the nails, the more real estate there is for a smattering of 3D nail charms, from avant-garde rhinestones to realistic-looking florals. Kim says 3D nails bedecked with jewels and accents are the perfect way to have fun with the nails. “Think about using different textures and shapes in the same color story to really emphasize the design,” she says.
Raindrop Nails
@sansungnails / Instagram
Raindrop nails (also known as a 3D blob manicure) are exactly what they sound like: realistic-looking amorphous drops on the nails that mimic raindrops to add texture to a manicure. “Most nail artists use clear builder gel to create these bubble-like globes on the nail that look like freshly fallen rain,” says Kim. Whether worn clear or accessorized with colored polish, she adds that the circles also work well on top of any design to make a statement.
Fruit Peel Nails
@sansungnails / Instagram
Food-inspired nails always make the rounds, but with this trend, it’s all about creating a manicure that mirrors the texture of the skin or peel of juicy fruits, like figs, grapes, and peach skins. “The look isn’t literal but instead is done in a very abstract way,” Soon says. “It feels playful yet elevated at the same time because thin strokes and small speckles of polish are used to create the texture, keeping the design more subtle.”
@sansungnails / Instagram
With designs that could easily hang in the MoMA, Korean nail art consistently sets the global standard. From jaw-dropping 3D creations to intricately layered swirls of color, the trends that emerge from Korea each year are true works of art. Rather than traveling across the globe to get the most in-demand manicures, we spoke with three Korean nail artists about the trends defining 2026—and how to recreate the looks yourself. Ahead, browse six Korean nail art looks you’ll see everywhere in the coming months.
Meet the Experts
Sarah Chue is a celebrity nail artist based in Los Angeles.
Jin Soon is a celebrity manicurist, editorial nail artist, and founder of JINsoon nail lacquer line.
San Sung Kim is a nail artist, specializing in minimalistic to avant-garde hand-painted nails.
Syrup Watercolor Nails
@jinsoon / Instagram
One trend we can’t get enough of is the syrupy, jelly watercolor nails. The chic yet minimalist manicure echoes a translucent effect that looks like thick, sticky syrup. Chue says that to recreate this style, jelly gel nail polish is a must. “Use a few coats of each color to achieve the desired look. Then, to dress up the nails, play with details such as minimal 3D designs and lines, or even small jewels.” The key, she adds, is to keep designs minimal and keep the nails short.
Blush Nails
@ujeinail / Instagram
Expect to see blush nails all over your feed, if you aren’t already. Designed to mimic a natural flush on the cheeks, Chue says this ultra-girly mani centers around a soft blush color at the center of the nails that gently diffuses out. “To nail the blush nail trend, apply a translucent nude color as the base and cure it,” she shares. “Then, seal it with a matte topcoat. With a round, puffy brush, dab a blush-toned nail powder in the center of the nail a few times until you achieve an ombre circle. Finish it off with a non-wipe topcoat.”
Textured Waves
@dvok_official/ Instagram
“Texture is trending right now because it adds interest to the nails without relying on strong color,” Soon says. Neutral and jelly bases make for the perfect backdrop, allowing visible brush strokes and soft wave and swirl patterns to take center stage and add a bit of movement to the manicure, but metallics and chromes work equally well. When the nails are slightly wet, Soon says to use a flat brush or lightly press plastic wrap onto the polish, and then remove it, which creates organic texture.
3D Charms
@sansungnails / Instagram
The longer the nails, the more real estate there is for a smattering of 3D nail charms, from avant-garde rhinestones to realistic-looking florals. Kim says 3D nails bedecked with jewels and accents are the perfect way to have fun with the nails. “Think about using different textures and shapes in the same color story to really emphasize the design,” she says.
Raindrop Nails
@sansungnails / Instagram
Raindrop nails (also known as a 3D blob manicure) are exactly what they sound like: realistic-looking amorphous drops on the nails that mimic raindrops to add texture to a manicure. “Most nail artists use clear builder gel to create these bubble-like globes on the nail that look like freshly fallen rain,” says Kim. Whether worn clear or accessorized with colored polish, she adds that the circles also work well on top of any design to make a statement.
Fruit Peel Nails
@sansungnails / Instagram
Food-inspired nails always make the rounds, but with this trend, it’s all about creating a manicure that mirrors the texture of the skin or peel of juicy fruits, like figs, grapes, and peach skins. “The look isn’t literal but instead is done in a very abstract way,” Soon says. “It feels playful yet elevated at the same time because thin strokes and small speckles of polish are used to create the texture, keeping the design more subtle.”
Syrup Watercolor Nails
@jinsoon / Instagram
One trend we can’t get enough of is the syrupy, jelly watercolor nails. The chic yet minimalist manicure echoes a translucent effect that looks like thick, sticky syrup. Chue says that to recreate this style, jelly gel nail polish is a must. “Use a few coats of each color to achieve the desired look. Then, to dress up the nails, play with details such as minimal 3D designs and lines, or even small jewels.” The key, she adds, is to keep designs minimal and keep the nails short.
Blush Nails
@ujeinail / Instagram
Expect to see blush nails all over your feed, if you aren’t already. Designed to mimic a natural flush on the cheeks, Chue says this ultra-girly mani centers around a soft blush color at the center of the nails that gently diffuses out. “To nail the blush nail trend, apply a translucent nude color as the base and cure it,” she shares. “Then, seal it with a matte topcoat. With a round, puffy brush, dab a blush-toned nail powder in the center of the nail a few times until you achieve an ombre circle. Finish it off with a non-wipe topcoat.”
Textured Waves
@dvok_official/ Instagram
“Texture is trending right now because it adds interest to the nails without relying on strong color,” Soon says. Neutral and jelly bases make for the perfect backdrop, allowing visible brush strokes and soft wave and swirl patterns to take center stage and add a bit of movement to the manicure, but metallics and chromes work equally well. When the nails are slightly wet, Soon says to use a flat brush or lightly press plastic wrap onto the polish, and then remove it, which creates organic texture.
3D Charms
@sansungnails / Instagram
The longer the nails, the more real estate there is for a smattering of 3D nail charms, from avant-garde rhinestones to realistic-looking florals. Kim says 3D nails bedecked with jewels and accents are the perfect way to have fun with the nails. “Think about using different textures and shapes in the same color story to really emphasize the design,” she says.
Raindrop Nails
@sansungnails / Instagram
Raindrop nails (also known as a 3D blob manicure) are exactly what they sound like: realistic-looking amorphous drops on the nails that mimic raindrops to add texture to a manicure. “Most nail artists use clear builder gel to create these bubble-like globes on the nail that look like freshly fallen rain,” says Kim. Whether worn clear or accessorized with colored polish, she adds that the circles also work well on top of any design to make a statement.
Fruit Peel Nails
@sansungnails / Instagram
Food-inspired nails always make the rounds, but with this trend, it’s all about creating a manicure that mirrors the texture of the skin or peel of juicy fruits, like figs, grapes, and peach skins. “The look isn’t literal but instead is done in a very abstract way,” Soon says. “It feels playful yet elevated at the same time because thin strokes and small speckles of polish are used to create the texture, keeping the design more subtle.”
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