From glass skin to 10-step skincare routines, many of the most talked-about recent beauty trends were born in South Korea. Fitting then, that jelly nails—one of this spring’s most adorable nail trends—would also hail from the same place.
But Korean jelly nails are not just cute—they’re juicy, too. Thanks to mouth-watering, translucent hues, they call to mind hard candies, Jell-o, and jam. They are thick, often with a rounded, 3-D surface thanks to the use of heavyweight gels or bulked-up sheer polishes that create the appearance of layered depth on the nail bed.
Similar to soap nails and lip-gloss nails, jelly nails are super shiny and jewel-like. But unlike those, jelly nails are highly saturated and look almost as if they were dipped in some kind of magical, syrup potion.
TikTok content
This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.
The nostalgic origins Korean jelly nails
The allure of shiny, glittery, watery nails for spring and summer is easy to understand—on TikTok alone, #jellynails already boasts more than 20,000 entries and counting.
But the trend isn’t exactly new. In fact, it likely stems from the recent reemergence of jelly shoes and PVC crab sandals—you know, the ones that were last popular in the ‘90s and during Y2K. A sweet and nostalgic reminder of a time now long gone by, perhaps? A nod to the free-spirited summer days of youth?
How to get Korean jelly nails
Korean jelly nails are similar to traditional soft gels, and like all manicures, a Korean jelly mani starts with preparation. The old color is removed; the cuticles are cleaned; the nails are shaped; and a base coat is applied before adding layers of color and a final top coat. Details, decals, and glitter are optional, of course.
To achieve the complete jelly nail-effect, however, most nail techs recommend using actual Korean gels, which are often higher in quality, thicker in viscosity, and—yes—more expensive than traditional gels. They’re worth it, though: Not only are they easier to work with and more customizable, they also self-level really well.
Speaking of customization, endless options are possible—from pastels to neons to shimmery ombre. It’s even possible to achieve deep layers that mimic seashells, water droplets, gemstones, pomegranate seeds, or the flesh of a summer-ripe tomato. The beauty of jelly nails lies in their layered brightness and transparent-meets-opaque effect. Plus, they work well on any nail length and shape, from long and almond to short and rounded.
How to DIY Korean jelly nails at home
For those who would rather try their hand at achieving high-shine jelly nails at home, the technique itself is pretty simple—it’s really all about the products you choose.
To create your own jelly nails with nail polish, you’ll need two products: Your main color lacquer and a top coat—we recommend a highly saturated hue for your main lacquer color and a “bulky” top coat like O.P.I.’s Gel Plump Effect Top Coat.
After prepping the nails with a clear base coat or a primer and letting it dry, add a drop or two of the main color straight into the top coat bottle and shake well until thoroughly mixed. Then, apply two coats of the top coat-color mixture to nails, letting each layer dry thoroughly between coats. If you want, you can add a decal or a bit of glitter and finish with another clear layer of top coat. Or, just leave them as is and enjoy the juicy candy vibe.
OPI
Gel Plump Effect Top Coat
OPI
Nail Lacquer in Verified
Essie
Nail Lacquer in Don’t Burst My Bubble
OPI
Metallic Mega Mix Nail Lacquer in Cyborn Again
