As nail artists, products that are versatile, multifunctional, and frequently used are especially valuable additions to our nail supply collection. One product type that any nail artist will find useful is syrup gel. “Syrup gel” is a term in Korean nails that is used to refer to translucent gel polishes with a milky or sheer appearance. Syrup gel comes in all kinds of colors, typically soft or muted. Its syrup-like appearance gives the effect of a glossy and smooth-finished manicure, but it can also be used for different nail art looks that are highly wearable. In this blog post, we’ll show you six different ways to use syrup gels for nail art, featuring a few colors from Korean syrup gel brand By Muse and the By Muse Summer Closet Collection. Keep scrolling to discover how syrup gel can be used for more than a one-color manicure. 

Types of Nail Art Using Syrup Gel

Gradient Nails 

The translucency of syrup gel makes it ideal for blending colors together to create soft gradients using two to three colors. To create a gradient design, begin with nail prep and a cured base coat. Apply one coat of BS.79 or a milky white syrup gel and cure for 60 seconds. Next, apply a thin stroke of your choice of color to the top right, middle left, and bottom right areas of the nail. Do not cure. Apply a thin stroke of your second color on the top left, middle right, and bottom left areas of the nail. Essentially, you want to alternate the placement of your colors. Next, wipe off excess gel from your brush and very gently swipe the colors on the nail to slightly blend them into each other. Cure for 60 seconds. Apply top gel. Cure for 60 seconds. In the photo above, BS.74 and BS.78 are featured on the nail on the left. For the nail on the right, BS.75 and BS.76 are featured.

Ombre Nails

Syrup gel can also be used to create ombre nails. After nail prep and cured base coat, apply a milky white color such as BS.01. Cure for 60 seconds. Next apply a small amount of your second syrup gel color to the tip of the nail. Wipe off excess gel and gently use the brush to pull the color upwards to cover about one-third of the nail. Use a thin liner brush to blend the upper half of the color into a soft gradient. Cure for 60 seconds. Apply a small amount of the same color to the tip of the nail, bringing the color to cover half of the nail. Use a liner brush to blend the upper half of the color into a soft gradient. Cure for 60 seconds. Apply top gel. Cure for 60 seconds. Featured in the photo are BS.74 and BS.78.

Cheek Nails

Cheek nails consist of a blushy color used at the center of the nail for a circular gradient effect that resembles blushy cheeks. Similar to the other types of gradient nail looks, syrup gels can also be used to create cheek nails. For this look, apply your choice of base color after nail prep and cured base coat. Cure for 60 seconds. Using a bright pink color such as BS.74, apply a small dollop to the center of the nail. Use a liner brush to pull the color outwards, blending the edge into a soft gradient. Cure for 60 seconds. Apply top gel. Cure for 60 seconds. Pictured above, BS.01 and BS.76 are used as the base colors.

Fruit Skin Nails

Fruit skin nails are a fun summer-inspired look created using two to three syrup gel colors that resemble the colors of fruit skin. Choose two colors inspired by your fruit of choice. After nail prep and cured base coat, apply one coat of the lighter syrup gel color. Do not cure. Apply small dots of the darker syrup gel color onto the nail. Use a liner brush to roughly blend the darker color into the lighter color, creating vertical lined patterns. Blend some areas for a softened effect, leaving other areas with lined patterns. Cure for 60 seconds. Use your choice of glossy or matte top coat. Cure for 60 seconds. Create water droplets by using a liner brush to apply small dollops of a non-wipe thick viscosity gel such as JIN.B Crazy Top Thick on the surface of the nail. Cure for 60 seconds. The photo above features BS.75 and BS.78 to resemble green grape skin, while BS.18 and BS.16 are used to create an apple skin effect.

Chrome Nails

Syrup gel colors make ideal bases for chrome and mirror powders. Their translucent finish helps make chrome finishes appear more reflective. After prep and cured base coat, apply your choice of syrup gel color. Cure for 60 seconds. Apply a non-wipe top gel and cure for 30 seconds. Rub your choice of mirror or chrome powder over the nail. File the edge of the nail. Dust off excess powder. Apply top gel. Cure for 60 seconds. For the pink nail pictured above, BS.74 is used as the base color and topped with Blanc Blanc W47 Chrome Powder. The blue nail features BS.77 as the base color and is topped with Bonniebee Pure White Nail Powder.

Cat Eye Nails

Create your own custom color cat eye nails using your choice of syrup gel color as the base, topped with a clear magnet gel. After nail prep and cured base coat, apply your choice of syrup gel. Cure for 60 seconds. Apply your clear magnet gel and use a magnet to create your desired cat eye effect. Cure for 60 seconds. Apply top gel. Featured in the photo above are BS.75 and BS.74, used as the base colors and topped with Rozyhip RM-01. 

Syrup gels are a worthwhile addition to any nail artist’s collection. Not only can they create refined one-color manicures, but syrup gels can also be used to achieve commonly requested nail looks that can also work as a foundation for more intricate nail art design. Whether you’re just starting your nail journey or are an experienced professional, a curated selection of syrup gel colors allows you to create timeless, foundational nail art looks with a single product type. In an industry where trends are ever-changing, syrup gel remains a versatile staple. 

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