Whether debuting the set you tried at this week’s appointment, showing off your engagement ring, or parading your favorite outfit, there’s always a good excuse for a nail selfie. And what’s great is that with an array of trends and options, from lacquered to glittered, neon to pastel, there’s a look that tells a little something about who you are and what you like.
But there’s so much more to explore in nail art aside from bright neons that make a statement or classic pearlescent sets that go with any outfit. They can also become more interesting, even turning into wearable postcards by painting little landscapes and carving tiny sculptures. Suddenly, a manicure is more than just an accessory, they’re telling tales and sparking a sense of adventure.
These designs by Filipino nail artists use nails as canvases of creativity. From the polished porcelain of China to the ornate sculptures of Greece and the lush flora of India, these inspirations can all become part of a nail art story. They’re tiny masterpieces, made to be looked at, admired, and even saved for your next nail appointment.
Porcelain dreams
John Llamas
Think of chinoiserie reimagined as wearable art. Nail artist Reese Roque draws the scenic and historic views of the East: lakes, bamboo groves, mountains, alongside hand-painted ancient dragons straight from Chinese folklore. The sculptural orb accents are interesting miniatures of their famous dynasties’ rich glass, and fine porcelain, perfect for your precious nails.
Silken florals
John Llamas
As delicate as the floral embellishments of an Indian wedding sari, this ornate hand-painted nail art by Coleen San Pedro of Nailee.ph, channels India’s craft traditions with prominent lotus motifs, and silken embroidery. To achieve the layered textures and metallic finish, she layered a clear base with matte polish, topped with gold chrome for a true gilded nail set.
Greek odyssey
John Llamas
A cool, muted palette matched with the hints of Greek mythology, nail artist Gaby Auro of Gaby.nailx carves a tiny world of classical sculpture through Grecian urns in ivory and blue, and soft gel forms shaped into the face of Poseidon, alongside conch shell textures. This set transports you straight to the Mediterranean, with powdered patina giving the design the look of beautiful, weathered stone.
Nail as art
That’s why nail artists are called artists for a reason: They don’t just polish nails; they make art you can wear. If you’re looking for your next set that’s sure to be a conversation starter or a design that will do all the talking for you, these are some great manicures that are sure to inspire your next fun-filled escape.
Art Direction: Sacha Mancera. Photography: John Llamas. Nail Artists: Reese Roque, Gaby Auro of Gaby.nailx, Coleen San Pedro of Nailee.ph. Hand Models: Adina Mukhamediyeva, Geovanna Seródia of Luminary Model Management. Photographer’s Assistant: John Mark Advincula.
Frequently Asked Questions
Destination-inspired nail art turns manicures into miniature travel scenes using hand-painted landscapes and cultural motifs like chinoiserie dragons, Greek urns, or Indian florals, referencing a specific place’s craft traditions within one nail set.
Nail artist Reese Roque hand-paints chinoiserie scenes of lakes, bamboo groves, mountains, and ancient dragons, then adds sculptural orb accents styled after Chinese porcelain and glasswork, for a dynasty-inspired nail set.
Nail artist Gaby Auro of Gaby.nailx uses powdered patina pigment over soft gel sculpted into Poseidon’s face and conch shell textures, paired with ivory-and-blue Grecian urns, for a non-fading finish.
Coleen San Pedro of Nailee.ph layers a clear base with matte polish, then tops it with gold chrome to create the layered texture and metallic finish of her lotus-motif nail art.
The sets are created by Reese Roque (chinoiserie), Gaby Auro of Gaby.nailx (Greek mythology), and Coleen San Pedro of Nailee.ph (Indian florals) — Filipino artists known for sculptural, wearable nail art.
