Cool, curated and individual nail designs are another way to up the ante on your beauty game. Not only can freshly painted nails make you feel instantly more pulled together, but once done, they can provide days and weeks of wear without the need for a touch-up. That’s why finding a design you properly love is worth the effort.
Nail art has definitely undergone a luxe makeover in the last few years with understated, minimalist nail designs taking off amongst those wanting something a little more interesting than plain polish. But talented nail artists are flexing their talents to the maximum too, creating manicures that look more like works of art. Techniques and technology have enabled us to seriously raise our game.
“Nail technology has evolved so much over the years – I’ve seen huge changes in products throughout my career,” celebrity nail artist Michelle Humphrey told GLAMOUR. “The possibilities for nail pros to create insane sculptured nails has become much easier, with products that work like jelly or putty to sculpt and build, so the possibilities are now endless. It’s not for the minimalist, but it is nail art truly at its finest and most modern,” insists Michelle, who counts Dua Lipa and Adele as clients.
As for what’s hot, look to the biggest nail trends right now. Butter yellow is having a major moment (and its been endorsed by fans like Selena Gomez). Likewise, its spin-off lil sis, butter glazed Frenchies has recruited its own fandom. Cowgirl nails are taking off (courtesy of Beyoncé kickstarting a movement with the release of her Cowboy Carter album). And fruity nails are the juicy mani of the summer (so obv we have all the inspo).
For the maximalists, 3D designs will be everywhere, whether that’s with dinky stick-on gemstones and crystals or with fully-fledged works of art. We’ve seen plastic gummy bears, spirals and love hearts glued to manis to make a serious statement. And Y2K nail piercings have been given a modern makeover, so expect to start seeing a lot more of them.
Here are some of our favourite nail designs to try…
The interest around aura nails (which feature a burst of diffused colour starting from the centre of your nail) have been building for some time, but these assorted airbrush nails mix colour and pattern to create something truly individual.
Fruity nails
Pinterest saw a 175% uptick in searches for “fruity nails” heading into summer and we’ve been spotting them everywhere.
Rainbow tips
Can’t decide on which shade to top off your Frenchie? Go for them allllll.
Butter glazed Frenchies
The classic French tip has had a remix with butter glazed Frenchies.
Balletcore Frenchie
It’s cute, pretty and elegant all in one hit and blends multiple top trends: glazed donut, chrome and balletcore.
Cowgirl nails
Cowgirl nails have taken off with a little help from Beyonce (courtesy of her Cowboy Carter album). We love cowprint Frenchies, and cowgirl motifs.
Classic red
It’s a classic for a reason, and we’re about to see a whole lot more of it.
Peach deets
Peach was named the pantone of 2024 and it’s been infiltrating our makeup trends, so it makes sense that it’s also all over our nails, too.
3D everything
3D may sound a little OTT and futuristic (it is) but it’s also stunning and so wearable. The options to make a 3D mani your own are endless.
Black French tips
Remix a white-tipped Frenchie with black for an edgier take.
Jelly red
The shade will also see modern updates, like this juicy, sheer, jelly finish.
Gem studs
A more minimal way to wear 3D nails that’s still wonderfully extra.
Modern nail piercings
The noughties have struck once again with nail piercings – thanks to pretty, new-gen ways to wear this throwback trend.
Animal stripes
Safari print is a stylish way to introduce a little bit of pattern to an outfit.
Mix ‘n’ match
This mix-and-match mani by top manicurist Imarni, has so much personality, and it’s perfect if you can’t decide on one design.
French swirls
More of a minimalist? Remix a Frenchie by keeping the shades, but mixing up the design with a modern swirl pattern.
