As a company created by two women, we know how important it is to celebrate women who are trailblazers in their respective fields. That’s why we’ve started our Boss Babes series. Each month we’ll highlight one woman who’s leading the way and is absolutely crushing it, in business and in life. Here, they’ll answer questions on everything from how they started out and advice they think every woman should know, plus their beauty routines and how they take care of themselves. This month: This month: Korean nail artist Eun Kyung Park, a.k.a Unistella. 

If the phrase “glass nails” means anything to you, then chances are good you already know Eun Kyung Park. The Insta-famous nail artist, who goes by the name Unistella, was the creative mastermind behind that viral shattered #glassnail manicure that took the internet by storm way back in 2015. Since then, Unistella has been the go-to nail pro for everyone from Bella Hadid to BLACKPINK and has launched trends that include wire nails and her own line of chic nail jewelry. You also might recognize her (and another one of her signature creations, the Lipstick Nail) as one of the stars of our Lip Pop launch — she’s a friend of Glow Recipe who we love collaborating with whenever we get the chance. 

We chatted with Park about where she gets her inspiration, her best beauty secrets, and her advice to other nail art lovers who want to get in the business. Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating artist and one of our biggest Korean beauty crushes.

Have you always known you wanted to be a nail artist?

“I don’t have a particular memory or reason why I started to create nail art, but it’s been a part of my life as long as I can remember. I love nail artistry and still get excited about new ideas and looks everyday.”

Where do you get your creative inspiration?

“Inspiration is everywhere. I didn’t want to limit myself to the application of nail polish – nail artistry can be so much more than that. For me, the nail is a tiny blank canvas with infinite possibilities. Why can’t we use materials we use for the creation of modern art – such as watercolor, mixed media, wires, etc for the nails? I like to challenge myself to push the boundaries. The ideas don’t always make sense in reality, but the process of trying different things is what makes it fun. ”

What makes you feel creatively fulfilled?

“I love when a certain material really captures a particular vision I had in my head. An example is when I discovered the perfect material for glass nails. For glass nails, I was inspired by the subtle shimmer of the inside of an abalone shell. I was elated to discover the thin, translucent, holographic film that could recreate this look on the nails after a lot of trial and error. I also loved how malleable, thin wires could be molded into different shapes to create expressive pieces of art on each individual nail.

What’s your go-to beauty look?

“I gravitate toward simple looks but I’m all about the details. Small things like seeing the expression of each hair when drawing the eyebrows. Or applying eyeshadow imperfectly so that the smudges have a lived-in, smokey look.”

What is your must-have skin-care product?

“A really good eye cream is a must!”

What’s your best advice for nail newbies?

“I love a simple, chic look.  Maybe you get extensions, but the extensions are clear. Or just a beautiful, striking color on the nail bed.”

What tips do you have for budding entrepreneurs?

“You have to really like what you do. While it might not be immediate, every effort you invest into your business, you’ll eventually see it pay off.”

What’s your favorite nail look that you’ve ever done?

“Glass nails. Nothing quite captures the light like this look and I believe it’s evolved beyond a trend at this point.”