Since 5,000 BC, nature has been used to adorn nails. Today, celebrity nail artist Sojin Oh raises a hat to the past.
Nail art has long been adopted by those who fancy a playful manicure, offering a way to further express oneself—at their fingertips, quite literally. But nail artist Sojin Oh takes it to the next level, completely reimagining what we came to expect from the art of the manicure. Utilizing objects from nature, she creates intricate, whimsical manicures that are sure to turn heads, describing it as “the most glamorous jewelry you could have on your hand.”
Based in Los Angeles, Oh has created extravagant nails for a long list of celebrity clientele, including Hunter Schafer, Grimes, Lil Nas X, and Kim Kardashian. Her proudest work is a set of custom glass nails she created for Billie Eilish and Rosalia. With over 74,000 followers on Instagram, she serves as an inspiration for those searching for a wild manicure. She has collaborated with brands like why not us and the luxury label A Better Feeling.
Turning glassware, aquatic findings, and the wilderness into fantastical sculptures on your fingertips, Oh channels her admiration for life’s many wonders to create other-worldly sculptural manicures. “I truly believe trying to be as expressive as nature will only increase my sense of creativity, sensuality, and artistry,” Oh tells Mission over email interview.
Although it may seem like a modern trend, nail artistry has been part of human history since the beginning of time. Archeologists discovered Egyptian mummies from 5,000 BC with nails covered in a gold brilliance, ancient Babylonian men with kohl painted on their fingertips, while Indian women used henna to pigment theirs. Natural elements like egg whites, beeswax, and flower petals dyes have long been used to create manicures.
“Nature is our wealth gifted from above, and we must preserve it,” said Oh. She pulls her inspiration from the natural world, using nature, landscapes, and the sea in her designs to advocate for the Earth. She finds that the Earth and, in turn, her earthly-inspired designs offer a way to escape from an overly technological world.
Oh brings nails to life by reflecting the personality of each client. Nail art empowers people of all genders, serving as a creative form of self-expression. A show-stopping nail is the finishing touch to one’s look, “more people are realizing nails should be personalized art and accessories. It’s just another way to express your personal style,” says Oh.
From the Grammys to the Met Gala, there is almost as much craze over stars’ nails as their gowns. Even during Fashion Week, nail art is a staple in the runway shows, with designers like The Blonds, Jeremy Scott, and Rebecca Minkoff flaunting eccentric nail designs on the catwalk by artists like Yukie and Gina Edwards. It is more than just polish on your fingertips, but an essential aspect of one’s look. It’s part of fashion culture.
Nails have grown in creativity, with basic french manicures making way for longer, sharper nails embellished with intricate patterns. Nail polish is even being made for men by men, becoming a fun accessory for people of all genders.
Oh, is, however, hyper-aware of the dark side of the nail industry, stressing the need to move in a more eco-friendly and health-conscious direction, considering manicures’ often detrimental environmental and health impacts, “I believe acrylics should be illegal. Acetone usage should be substantially minimized since it’s a toxic gas and kills neurons. There should be a multitude of new ways to manicure in a more eco-friendly and health-conscious direction. A lot of nail technicians actually become ill from the work, so the career longevity isn’t great at the moment, which we can all work toward improving,” she elucidates.
Despite this, Oh predicts that nail art is ” going to continue in an upward trend of exponential growth.”
Images courtesy of: Sojin Oh
