10 Cute and Colorful Korean Jelly Nail Designs to Try This Summer

What Are Korean Jelly Nails?

Korean jelly nails are shiny and jewel-like, almost as if they were dipped in a glistening syrup. They’re often thick, with a rounded 3D surface that comes from a result of heavyweight gels or layered sheer polishes. With this manicure, more is more, according to nail artist Kesang Gurung. “Korean gel polishes are usually thicker than your average gel,” she tells IPSY. “The more sheer layers you add, the more depth your manicure will have.” Colors are easily blendable, she adds, meaning you can create a super-saturated manicure with plenty of room for personalization.

Your Guide to DIY-ing Korean Jelly Nails at Home

1. Prep Your Nails

As for how to get that jelly-like dimension, there are a few techniques to try. Like a traditional soft gel manicure, a Korean jelly mani starts with proper preparation. First, you’ll want to clean up your cuticles and shape your nails. Then, add a base coat and pick out which polishes you want to layer. 

2. Pick (or Make) Your Polish

Gurung recommends using actual Korean gels, which are higher quality, more viscous, and easier to work with than traditional gels. “Korean gels self-level really well, meaning your polish will look thick but smooth,” she says. “They’re worth the extra cost, but in a pinch, you can DIY your own.” 

Don’t worry—you probably already own all the products you need to get the high-shine jelly look at home, and the technique itself is pretty simple. Pick out a highly saturated hue for your colored polish, as well as a top coat you don’t mind transforming into your jelly polish. Next, add a drop or two of your colored polish right into the top coat bottle and shake it up until it’s thoroughly mixed. 

3. Paint Your Nails

Once you’ve made your DIY jelly polish (or picked out your Korean jelly polishes), Gurung recommends painting on thin layers one-by-one. After applying your base coat, apply a “really thin” layer of color to your nails, allowing the polish to dry before adding another coat. Since you want your manicure to be translucent, two or three coats of your jelly polish should be enough. “Here, you can add a decal or glitter to your manicure before finishing it off with a top coat,” says Gurung. Or, leave them as they are for a minimal yet juicy look. 

Korean Jelly Nail Looks We Love

1. Au Natural Jelly Nails

For a manicure that naturally glows, opt for a light pink or translucent pink polish. After just a few coats, you’ll be left with nails that look as juicy as they do sophisticated—and they’ll pair perfectly with any outfit. 

2. Polka Dot Jelly Mani

Add a playful touch to your jelly mani with some polka-dots. To get the look, you’ll want to use a dotting tool, which will help you apply those dots seamlessly. For a summer-ready take on the trend, trade out these black polka-dots for some more colorful ones (or even a rainbow pattern). 

3. Cat-Eye Jelly Nails

We’re definitely falling for this romantic palette. To make your jelly nails even more magical, finish them off with a cat-eye effect and glitter polish. You’ll be left with a dimensional look that sparkles from all angles. 

4. Melting Popsicle Mani

There’s nothing more refreshing than a fruity popsicle, but these juicy jelly nails come close. Feature all your favorite flavors with gel shades like berry pink, citrusy orange, and grape purple. Luckily, this manicure won’t melt in the summer heat. 

5. Sunny-Side Up Jelly Nails

Scramble up your Korean jelly manicure with some eggy nail art. To create this look, Gurung applied an orange jelly gel to mismatched sections of her client’s nails, then used clear builder gel to achieve a “runny” texture. Work in some sunny-side up nail art and you’ll be sure to look delectable. 

6. Mermaid Jelly Mani

Siren-inspired beauty is big this season, so why not match your makeup with some beachy nails? This translucent teal manicure reminds us of algae, and the color looks just as lightweight. A quick glance at your nails will transport you to the seaside. 

7. Fuschia Jelly Nails

Neon has a moment every summer, but we’re updating the look this season with this luminescent (and translucent) fuschia manicure. Simply add a few drops of neon pink polish to your preferred top coat, and you’ll be left with a sheer shade that’s still full of juicy color. This mani reminds us of Barbie in the best way. 

8. Fire and Ice Jelly Mani

These jelly nails may be between fire and ice, but they’re anything but lukewarm. For a manicure that’s hot and cool at the same time, paint one hand with a warm-toned shade and the other with a cool-toned one. Paired together, these nails are the best of both worlds. 

9. Preppy Plaid Jelly Nails

Mix up your Korean jelly mani with a preppy pattern. After applying your colorful jelly base, swipe on some horizontal stripes with a contrasting jelly color. Using a detail brush, add more dimension by painting on some vertical stripes with brightly colored polishes, like the light blue and pink shades shown here. We love this tartan twist on the trend. 

10. Gemstone Jelly Nails

It’s safe to say your friends will be jelly of these nails. To get the bejeweled look, pick out jelly gel polishes with gemstone shades like emerald, amethyst, and quartz. Then, top off your nails with glittering details or a chrome finish. Your end result will be nothing but museum-worthy. 

11. Rainbow Jelly Mani

How cute are these pastel rainbow nails? To get a manicure that includes multiple jelly shades, we recommend heading to the salon (unless your at-home salon is already stocked with Korean jelly gels). That way, you can pick out all the polishes your heart desires, and walk away with a versatile multicolor mani.