What Are 'Embo Nails' And How Can You Get In On The Trend?

Junk nails, Barbiecore metallics, velvet sets — the range of buzzy nail trends has offered something for everyone, and now it's time to take your favorite style and make it 3D. That's the idea behind "embo nails," shorthand for embossed nails. Three-dimensional nail art has traditionally involved gluing shapes and sparkles to nails — and praying they don't break off quickly. Embo designs are different, where the sculptural adornments are created right on the nail using gel.

Unlike other trendy styles like chrome nails or modern French tips, there's no shortage of options for embossed sets. Embellish your fingers with bubbly hearts, faces, abstract squiggles, and watery beads — no matter your choice, your manicure is bound to turn heads. As Brooke DeVard Ozaydinli, host and creator of "Naked Beauty Podcast," told Refinery29, "We're going beyond 2D nail art and getting into really chunky, 3D designs. It really elevates the idea of a manicure; it's like a piece of art on its own. They're very eye catching." So, how can you get the 3D embo effect? To get started, borrow some inspiration from nail junkies across the Pacific Ocean.

Embo nails might be new to you, but they've been around for a while in other countries. As Sarah (@sarahkchey), a makeup and beauty creator, explained in a 2022 TikTok, 3D embossed nails were first trending in South Korea, commonly worn on short nails and with raised designs such as flowers, geometric shapes, and candy-esque droplets. You can find plenty of these looks — as well as cute animal faces, bows, clouds, and other sweet styles — by searching the Korean term for "embo nail" (#엠보네일) on Instagram and TikTok.

Further proof that the trend has been around for a while in East Asia is a 2017 blog post by the Japanese nail technician training school Cin-Cia Academy. As the post explains (in Japanese, so be prepared to use your favorite translation tool), embossed nail art is crafted right on the nail — like the embo nails seen stateside — using an acrylic powder mixture. The Japanese words for TikTok search terms like "emboss nail" (エンボスネイル) and "3D nail" (#3dネイル) show the technique in action to create anime characters' faces, flowers, and other fun styles.

After scrolling through enough embo nail posts on social media, it's hard to resist getting your own playful 3D nails. However, note that the look can take some work to construct. "Since this trend requires 3D gel to re-create, it may not be very DIY-friendly," Mazz Hanna, CEO of Nailing Hollywood, shared with PopSugar. For the best results, head to a salon familiar with the technique. "It's important to note that 3D gel tends to be more specialized, and you should check with your salon before your appointment to make sure they have the product needed to re-create this trend," Hanna added.

Another point to remember: Embo nails can be time-consuming to produce. Since the designs are sculpted directly on the nail, you may be sitting in a salon chair for a while until your finger art is complete. The good news, however, is that embo nail shapes tend to stay put longer than other 3D designs, so you won't have to visit your nail technician as often. Still, it's crucial to be careful with your new set, especially since it might be thicker and chunkier than you're used to. As manicurist Michelle Humphrey told British Vogue, "Remember the saying: 'nails are jewels, not tools'? That's especially true for anything 3D, as it has more chance of getting caught." Keep a close watch on your designs to avoid snags or damage — not that you'll want to take your eyes off them anyway.