Admit it: before you even set foot in a new destination, you’ve already thought about the outfits perfect for the mood and weather, packed your travel beauty essentials, and planned your itinerary. But if there’s one place where travel can inspire your beauty looks long before you arrive, it’s your nails.
And long after the trip is over, you’re left with a little vacation hangover, wishing it had lasted just a little longer. Good thing, a travel-inspired manicure can keep the joy and excitement of that vacation alive, even when you’re back home—until you’re ready to pack your bags again.
From the coastal escapes of the Philippines to the colorful, storied architecture of Korea and the eclectic energy of the United States, these nail looks take us around the three homes of Allure’s global editions. Save them for your next outing, or try one when you’re looking for a little escape at the nail salon.
Tropical Philippines
John Llamas
For an instant escape through design, nail artist Mimi Qiu of Mimi Luxury Nails drew inspiration from symbols and materials proudly found in the Philippines, from shades of sand, gold, and hints of aqua, to symbols that are proudly local. The luxurious set features freshwater pearls, and shimmering capiz shells that channel a coastal sheen and undeniable elegance. Sampaguita adds a soft floral touch, while abaca brings in weaving textures. This manicure is less of a souvenir than a potential heirloom.
Vibrant Korea
John Llamas
Inspired by the intricacy of Korea’s art and culture, nail artist Gaby Auro of gaby.nailx embellished each medium-almond nail with patterns inspired by dancheong, the traditional art of decorative painting found in Korean architecture. Jewel-toned metallic floral motifs evoke the silk of a hanbok, while pastel pink and green 3D embellishments reference the mugunghwa, South Korea’s national flower. The result is a set that brings the stories, and colors of Seoul right to your nails.
Energetic America
John Llamas
Capturing the energy of New York, nail artist Angel Dizon of Gels Nails paints urban icons alongside classic America. Who wouldn’t recognize the red, white, and blue hues, the stars and stripes across every nail? Street hot dogs, yellow cabs, and the Statue of Liberty are unmistakably American. All of these elements appear as 3D art and hand-painted details. This is the kind of manicure that delivers a burst of joy and energy, instantly transporting you to the bustling streets of Manhattan.
Book that trip—to the nail salon
From colors and motifs that capture the vibe of a place you’re headed to or one you’re dreaming of visiting, a good manicure can be a travel keepsake that goes with you anywhere, keeping the excitement of your next adventure right at your fingertips.
Art Direction: Sacha Mancera. Photography: John Llamas. Nail Artists: Mimi Qiu Reyes of Mimi Luxury Nails (Philippines), Gaby Auro of Gaby.nailx (Korea), Angel Dizon of Gels Nails (USA). Hand Models: Naomi Serrano of Farah Models. Adina Mukhamediyeva, Geovanna Seródia of Luminary Model Management. Photographer’s Assistant: John Mark Advincula.
Frequently Asked Questions
A destination-inspired manicure uses colors, motifs, and materials tied to a specific place — like capiz shells for the Philippines or dancheong patterns for Korea—to bring the feeling of a location or trip into a nail design, often through 3D embellishments and hand-painted detail.
Nail artist Mimi Qiu of Mimi Luxury Nails designed the Philippines-inspired set, featuring shades of sand, gold, and aqua, freshwater pearls, capiz shells, sampaguita floral accents, and abaca-inspired weaving textures to reflect local materials and symbols.
Nail artist Gaby Auro’s Korea-inspired design uses dancheong, the traditional Korean decorative painting style seen in architecture, alongside jewel-toned floral motifs referencing hanbok silk and pastel 3D embellishments shaped like mugunghwa, South Korea’s national flower.
Filipino coastal-inspired nail art often uses capiz shells for a shimmering sheen, freshwater pearls for elegance, sand and gold tones for warmth, and hints of aqua to evoke the coastline — as seen in Mimi Qiu’s Philippines-themed manicure.
Three nail artists collaborated: Mimi Qiu of Mimi Luxury Nails for the Philippines-inspired set, Gaby Auro of gaby.nailx for the Korea-inspired set, and Angel Dizon of Gels Nails for the New York-inspired, America-themed set.
