Meet Park Eunkyung, Seoul’s Nail-Artist-To-The-Stars
"I have always believed that nail art should be thought of as something to be worn. Just like clothes or shoes"
Achieving unforgettable red carpet glamour is hard work indeed. This month, we speak to celebrity makeup, hair and nail artists — Sir John, Nikki Nelms and Park EunKyung — about the industry.
You may know of South Korean nail artist Park Eunkyung, better known as “Unistella”, as the creative responsible for the finest K-pop artists’ nails — we’re talking about all of Blackpink, BTOB’s Peniel, and more.
Besides her reputation as K-pop’s most sought-after nail artist, Eunkyung is also known for her creation of the “glass nails” trend — something many nail artists from all around the world have since replicated on their own.
“I gained a lot of positive feedback from the glass nails and am forever grateful,” shares Eunkyung of the viral look. “I have set a personal challenge of expressing new types of lighting and reflections through my work. This particular design came to me when I came across abalone. It took a lot of time and effort to source the perfect material and it came out exactly how I wanted it to.”
Tell us about your history with nail artistry. How did you discover your talent for the art form?
From a young age, I was always interested in all things beauty, but I naturally gravitated towards nails. For me, there is always a new technique to learn. It still keeps me on my toes to this day!
You go by the moniker “Unistella”. How did you come up with this name and what does it represent?
I wanted to make a new word that is all my own. I approached it simply by listing all the words that I liked. Then, I tried pairing different words together and settled on “Unistella”. It means “unique star twinkle” as I want my designs to be like that.
It’s hard to create nails that are intricate, yet wearable. What are some things nail techs should take note of when trying to achieve this?
As a nail artist, I always have a lot of concerns when it comes to designing and creating beautiful looks. I try anything without being confined to a mould to create unique designs, and then I make an effort to keep them wearable and simple. Unlike clothing or makeup, nails can be worn for a week or even a month after designing, so I check to ensure they’re not uncomfortable. I’m enjoying this process, and I consider the process itself as art.
Personally, what kind of nails do you prefer wearing? Are there any nail trends you see yourself often gravitating towards?
I’ve been enjoying incorporating designs from the ’80s and ’90s into my recent nail looks. I’m drawn to fun shapes and I’m experimenting with them.
You’re also known for your work with celebrities. What have you noticed about their preferences when it comes to nails?
I have always believed that nail art should be thought of as something to be worn. Just like clothes or shoes. Thankfully, all of my clientele respect my vision and understand the importance of nails to complete a look. Everyone has their own preferences, but the focus is more on the concept of the album or shoot. All of my clients and I agree that the concept comes first. Both in photoshoots and everyday wear, we agree that the concept takes precedence. Just like with hair, makeup and clothing concepts, we pay close attention to nails to create a cohesive design concept.
What are some of your favourite creations?
All of my creations are precious to me, but if I had to pick one it would be Blackpink Jisoo’s traditional Korean seashell nails. It was a new challenge for me. In the end, it fit the concept so well and I was proud of it.
Besides your current clientele, are there any celebrities you wish to collaborate with?
There are so many talented artists that I would love to collaborate with. One artist on my list is Rosalía. I like her music and have always noticed that her concept looks and nails are special. They catch my eye.
What are some of your interests outside of nail artistry?
I love watching anime at home, listening to music and looking through images for inspiration. Currently, I’m working on a jewellery project and that has turned into a new hobby. It has been my source of happiness.
Walk us through your beauty routine.
I have dry, sensitive skin, so I keep my beauty routine minimal. The most important thing for me is to use a good nourishing cream. During the day, I can’t wear a lot of makeup so I keep it pretty simple as well.
What are some beauty essentials you can’t live without?
I keep a simple beauty routine, but I cannot live without face oil!
