13 Best Nail Designs To Inspire Your Next Manicure in 2024

BIAB, French tips and ombre, we round up the best trending nail art this Summer

Nothing lifts our mood quite like swooning over nail designs prior to a salon appointment. But fun aside, looking for nail art inspiration requires some serious effort – deciding on which mani to go for is not an easy decision given that options are endless. And that is why we are here to help you through it. Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, we’ve compiled the hottest nail trends of 2024 so you don’t have to. Screenshot ahead of your next nail appointment and thank us later.

What are the most popular nail designs 2024?
Leading salons across the UK such as Townhouse and Duck & Dry have seen an uptick in requests for natural-looking nails. Duck & Dry manager, Ava Amien notes, ‘In 2024, almond and coffin-shaped nails will remain popular, complemented by shorter lengths and natural shapes.’ Colour-wise, neutral and earthy tones, such as warm browns, terracottas, andmuted greens, will dominate.

Juanita Huber-Millet, Founder and Creative Director of Townhouse has also seen an increase in natural looking styles. ‘The minimalist trend is super popular right now across make-up, hair and nails. We love this look at Townhouse, it’s chic, stylish and super wearable for all nail lengths. The minimal look really started gaining momentum in early 2023 and has steadily increased in popularity with the growing focus on natural beauty and the ‘Clean Girl’ trend popularised by celebrities and beauty influencers including Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, Namvo and Sofia Richie.‘ It has seen sheer pink nail hues among the most sought after by Townhouse clients, who routinely request chic and understated shades like Brownlow Road and Barlett Street in-salon, for a sophisticated and polished look. Other beautiful sheer pink shades that make a popular choice include Bubble Bath by OPI, £14.90 or Elegance by Nailberry, £16.50.

But if au naturel isn’t your MO, fret not. Huber-Millet points out 2024 will also be loaded with chrome finishes and the everlasting tortoiseshell nail. While Ava reveals, ‘Gradient and ombre styles, as well as 3D embellishments, will definitely be the trend of the year in terms of nail design. I expect to see a surge in popularity for dip powder nails and reverse French manicures, too. Additionally, gel extensions and textured nail art techniques, like sugar nails and velvet nails, may also start trending as we go further into the year.’

Who do we have to thank for such an (overwhelming) abundance of nail designs to choose from? Celebrities like Margot Robbie, Lizzo, Hailey Bieber and Sofia Richie, who routinely show off an array of intricate and more natural nail designs, CC: Bieber’s now iconic glazed doughnut nails and their little sister lipgloss nails to Margot’s Barbiecore neon pink French manicure.

What are the biggest nail trends right now?
Summer Nail Designs
The warmer months call for nails with cute designs and there is so much to choose from.

1. Kaleidescope Nails
Renee opted for a kaleidoscope design for this fun twist on the French manicure below, a perfect choice for the spring or summer.

2. Daisy Nails
Floral patterns scream summer and they make a nice addition to any simple set.

3. Barbiecore
There’s no denying that Barbiecore beauty has been dominating in recent times – with online searches for Barbie shooting up over 560%. The best part? We’re not mad about it. There’s apretty pink naildesign out there to suit everyone.

4. Nail Art
Freestyle sets are a favourite on the Grazia Beauty Desk. You can experiment by mixing and matching, which allows for greater, bolder creative choices. These nails below feature colours, hearts, clouds, and then some.

5. Psychedelic pastels
Forget what you think you know about pastel, says A-list manicurist and senior Mylee ambassador, Tinu Bello, ‘while they are traditionally quite low-key, we’re going to see more of a bright take in 2024. Think retro oranges, like Mylee’s Flower Power Gel Polish, £8.99, and hot-pastel-pinks, such as Mylee’s Dragonfruit Gel Polish, £8.99. These pastel colours are best paired with stunning nudes and bright white base shades, and then adorned with colourful swirls, pretty flowers, and plaid designs.’ Use an ultra-precise nail art brush like Mylee’s 5mm Ultra Fine Brush,£5.50.

5. Floral french tip

Flowers focused on the tips of of your mani is always a nice touch.

Trendy Nail Designs
Meet the designs that likely keep popping up on your feed. Be it natural earthy tones of chocolate, metallics or marbled nails.

1. Metallic Nails
If you want to experiment a little – metallic nails are the way to do it. Lizzo has been known to rock a similar set at the Grammys. Wear it fully coated, as an accent or on the tips of your French manicure for a fresh take on the look, either way it’s a winner and the perfect nails for winter or any season for that matter.

2. Chocolate Nails
Brown, earthy tones are a natural choice for their soft and cosy appeal, and this set proves exactly why.

3. Halloween Nail Designs
These pointy claws are perfect for the spooky Halloween season, DIY these at home with a thin brush and red polish atop a French manicure.

4. Marble nails
Marble nails will never disappoint given their alluring finish and these shades are the perfect way to wear the trend for autumn. For summer, opt for brighter colours.

5. Aura neon nails
The hottest nail trend right now? Glitter jelly aura nails. ‘Aura nails have really grown in popularity over the last year, with the likes of Megan Fox and Vanessa Hudgens sporting the look. It’s a beautiful, airbrushed look that takes inspiration from the aura surrounding you. But the summer 24 update has a glitter, jelly-like finish,’ Bello adds.

6. Coquette nails
Bello predicts we are going to see a lot of 3D and textured manis thanks to this trend. ‘Base layers of creamy and transparent pink will be adorned with bows, diamante hearts, gems and flowers. The look is totally bespoke – make it dainty with carefully placed individual crystals or go all out with 3D adornments and a glitter finish,’ she says.

7. Glazed nails
Glazed nails but with a touch of cute. It’s fair to say that top nail artist Sonia Sanchez is a dab hand at intricate nail art, and she’s got the encapsulated flowers to prove it.