Blush Nails Are the Prettiest New K-Beauty Trend

K-beauty has taken over almost every facet of American beauty trends, from skin care to makeup looks. One of the most recent trends to make its way stateside is the blush nails trend. It’s the perfect manicure to fit in with the minimalist, princess nails aesthetic trending in the U.S. right now. We asked experts to school us in where the beautifully blushing look came from, what it is and how to get the look at home or in the salon.

Featured Experts

• Sojin Oh is a celebrity 3-D nail artist and the creative director at Kijibae
• Brittney Boyce is a celebrity nail artist
• Evelyn Lim is a nail artist and the chief educator at MiniLuxe’s Paintbox Studio

What is the blush nails trend?

Celebrity 3-D nail artist and creative director at Kijibae, Sojin Oh says the blush nails look “is all about creating a soft, flushed effect on your nails—similar to dabbing powder blush on the apples of your cheeks.” Blush nails often feature an airbrushed pop of pink over a sheer base to create a lit-from-within effect, says celebrity nail artist, Brittney Boyce. While colors can vary, Oh says blush nails generally feature a sheer or milky base with a diffused pop of pink or coral in the center to create a natural, glowing look.

Nail artist and chief educator at MiniLuxe’s Paintbox Studio, Evelyn Lim notes that this nail trend takes inspiration from what’s trending in beauty—that flushed makeup look with warm color on the cheeks and the bridge of the nose. You can mimic this on a manicure by applying a blush tone to the center of your nails, she explains.

Where did the blush nails trend originate?

Oh says the blush nails trend has been popular in nail salons in South Korea for years and is more commonly known as “cheek nails” (볼터치 네일) there. “It reflects the K-beauty philosophy of subtle enhancement, glow-from-within aesthetics and skin-care-inspired textures,” says Oh. “As with many Korean beauty trends, it’s now gone global—thanks to TikTok and the growing popularity of minimalist, coquette and ‘clean girl’ beauty looks.

How to get blush nails

There are a few ways to achieve the blush nails look at home or in the salon. Oh says you can “use a makeup sponge to gently dab pink gel polish onto the center of each nail, blending outward over a sheer base” or try the airbrush or powder method by dusting blush pigment onto cured gel polish before adding a top coat for a more diffused finish.

Boyce’s favorite approach is using the Aprés Aer Gel Machine ($99), which gives that perfect professional airbrushed fade. However, she notes that you can substitute the machine for a sponge at home. “Start with prepped nails, a base coat and a sheer neutral pink. Once it’s dry to the touch, dab a blush-toned polish into the center of the nail until it fades smoothly. Let it set for two minutes, then seal with a glossy top coat.” For the perfect combo, “I love using Aprés Light & Shadow Gel Couleur in Pink Clouds ($15) as the sheer base. It gives that perfect soft, milky wash. Then I layer Pink About It ($15) in the center for that diffused, blushy pop,” says Boyce.

If you want to go the easier route, try pre-designed semi-cured gel strips that already have a gradient built in, suggests Oh. The Kijibae Shy Girl ($15) strips offer a subtle take on the trend, while Rainbow Sherbet ($15) is bolder and brighter. We also love the Chocolate Bar ($15) strips for a brown blush moment that’s perfect for fall. If you’re more into press-on nails, try Lost Angeles Angel Energy Press-On Nails ($18) or Paintbox’s Custom Press-Ons.