Discover the hot new trend in nail art – embo nails! Originating in South Korea, 엠보 네일 is the latest nail art craze taking TikTok by storm.
The term “embo” comes from the word “embossing” because of the textured elements in these designs. Embo nails often have a playful, cartoon-like style that works for all nail lengths. This style of nail art is especially popular for short to medium manicures.
What makes embo nails unique is the technique. Unlike glued-on 3D elements, the process uses a special powder mixed with regular gel polish. Similar to acrylics, an artist can use embo gel to make cute animals, hearts, flowers, and patterns like wax seals and sweater nails.
Embo powder has a very fine texture, like flour or corn starch. It thickens the gel polish so it can be shaped and then cured in a nail lamp. Unlike acrylics, this nail art method is practically odor-free, and there's no time limit to how long the gel can be worked because it won't air dry.
How to Get Embo Nails
Even though embo nails are a growing trend, only some salons are able to do them. However, it's possible to order embo powder and experiment at home. Once the tiny jar with the ultrafine powder arrives, here’s how to use it.
- Prep your nails like you would for any gel manicure, and apply the base coat and colored polish. Cure them.
- Then, place a drop or two of your chosen nail gel color on a palette.
- Next, scoop an approximately equivalent amount of embo powder from the jar and place it next to the polish on the same palette.
- Grab a spatula and blend the embo powder with the gel polish until you achieve a thick, creamy consistency.
- Use a nail art brush suitable for gel polish to pick up the embo gel mixture and start crafting a masterpiece directly on a nail.
- Remember, it won’t dry until it’s cured, so take your time. If it doesn’t look right, you can wipe it off and try again.
- Once the design is in place, it's time to cure it. Follow the recommended curing time for the polish and nail lamp.
If you’re not sure where to start, try a simple design like sweater nails.
How to Do Embo Sweater Nails
After preparing your nails for a gel manicure, brush on the base and two thin coats of gel. Cure between each layer. Top them with a matte finish and wipe off any sticky parts with alcohol.
Now, combine the gel polish and embo powder in a 1:1 ratio. Paint parallel lines on either side of the nail, leaving a wide gap between them. Then, create the cable knit squiggly lines between them without touching them. If the design looks good, cure it. The trick is to start small and add more layers to increase the 3D texture. Lastly, finish with one more layer of matte top coat.
Alternatives to Embo Nails
If you’re anxious to try embo nails but don’t have any powder on hand, try some of these alternatives. You can get a similar look without resorting to acrylics.
- Embossing Gel: Looking for a quick and easy way to add texture and dimension to your nails? Embossing gel is a type of nail art painting gel that’s thicker than usual. It allows you to achieve a soft 3D effect without adding any other ingredients.
- Polygel: This new nail product combines the best parts of acrylic and gel nails. It has a thick texture for easy sculpting and cures in a nail lamp. That means you have all the time you need to work wonders on your fingertips. All you need is a slip solution and a brush to apply it. Plus, it can be painted just like any other gel.
- Dip Powder Layering with Gel Polish: If you're a fan of the dip powder technique, here's an easy twist to create embo-inspired nails. Paint a simple design with gel polish, but don't cure it. Instead, sprinkle it with plenty of dip powder. Then, cure that brush off the excess, and repeat the process until you've achieved a raised texture that pleases you.
The good news is that you can achieve stunning textured nails without waiting for embo powder to arrive in the mail. If impatience is your middle name, these alternatives will make your nail art dreams a reality in no time.
Emboss Nail Art Gel
LAVIS Poly Gel
LDS Dipping Powder Colors
LDS Gel Base & Top
Can You Make Embo Nails Without Embo Powder?
You might've heard about mixing cornstarch or confectioners' sugar with polish. But this is different from embo powder and will not create a durable manicure. If you just wanted a temporary nail sculpture for a photoshoot, it might be okay, but there’s no guarantee that the polish will cure properly in the lamp.
Instead, find a reputable distributor of embo powder or try one of the alternative ways described above to do 3D nails.
How to Remove Embo Nails?
Embo nails come off the same as any other gel manicure. You’ll need acetone to dissolve the polish. If you file the surface first, the acetone will soak in faster.
Please don’t try to pry off or peel off the raised texture because you’re likely to damage your natural nails. If you want to preserve the sculptures you created with embo gel, go to a nail salon and ask for help in removing them.
It may seem sad to take off these cute creations, but now you have space to try something new!
Conclusion
We hope you have fun exploring embo nails and other 3D textured looks. There are so many different ways to let your creativity shine.
If you’d like to take your nail art up a notch, check out the new arrivals and peek at the latest trends. Save money and fuel your passion with free shipping on every order over $100.