The ultimate accessory for 2024? A good set of nails, of course. We’ve asked the experts which nail designs will form the biggest trends of 2024 – and they do not disappoint. Here’s what to order at your local salon in the new year.
The Biggest Nail Trends For 2024
There’s a nail fad for everyone in the new year, with designs veering between minimal sophistication and bold self-expression. Want to get ahead of the curve? These are the most exciting nail trends for 2024:
Top Trends At A Glance
Pastels
Barely There
3D Adornments
Classic Red
Aurora
Chrome
Chocolate Milk
Future French Tip
Balletcore
Almond Shapes
1. Pastels
If it’s spring/summer nail ideas you’re after, look no further than pastel hues. ‘Venturing into the warmer months, pastel hues take centre stage, offering a spectrum of light and airy tones to suit every skin tone,’ confirms Holly Wolff, a nail technician at Neville Hair & Beauty. ‘These soft pastels promise a delicate touch, transforming nails into a beautiful canvas for sunny days.’
But nail technicians are also hinting that pastels will have a longer shelf life in 2024, with the style remaining popular well past SS24. ‘Pastel nails are nothing new for spring, but pastel shades are set to feature heavily throughout the whole of 2024,’ highlights Lou Stokes, ORLY UK Brand Ambassador. ‘These are likely to be finished with a soft shimmer or light chrome effect to continue the glazed nail look that has been so popular. Look toward ballet pink chromes, soft aqua mermaid hues and frosty white or vanilla chrome shimmers for a clean, fresh, girly look.’
Lou also tells us that we can take our cues from Bridgerton actress Simone Ashley, who was spotted wearing milky tipped nails with a subtle shimmer in December 2023.
2. Barely There
Following on from the popularity of the clean girl nail aesthetic, Holly predicts that ‘barely there’ nail designs will take the spotlight in 2024. ‘Whether it’s milky whites, soft pinks or a crystal-clear finish, this trend epitomizes simplicity and sophistication,’ she says. ‘Short nails donning a high gloss become the epitome of understated glamour. In the realm of 2024 nail trends, these choices redefine beauty, celebrating the art of self-expression with every brushstroke.’
3. Classic Red
More classic styles will also be making a comeback next year, with one of the biggest trends of 2024 being a statement red nail. ‘Classic, timeless, sophisticated: these are all words to describe a perfectly manicured red nail,’ says Lou. ‘We can expect to see this style become more popular either as a block colour or a pop of colour in a red French tip or micro French – and for spring, a bold bright red on short manicured nails. Choose the perfect red for your skin tone and this classic nail look will always turn heads.’
‘Classic dark red nails will always be popular,’ adds Emma. ‘Around festive and party season, it can be coupled with glitter ombres in silver or gold for an extra Christmassy boost – but throughout the year, it’ll surface in more simple nail art like small starbursts.’
4. Aurora
More dramatic nail transitions are also set to be popular, says Emma, who forecasts that aurora nail designs will be a big hit in salons come 2024. ‘Aurora nails are characterised by an ombre of colour concentrating from the centre outwards, usually created using a light or icy blue for a wintery theme,’ she explains. ‘Dua Lipa kicked off a trend with these in late 2023, and its popularity is set to carry into the new year with a wintery theme.’
5. Chrome
Another trend bridging the gap between 2023 and 2024 is the chrome nail. This metallic nail design has taken on many forms over the last year, spanning from grungy greys and Barbie pinks to neon colour palettes. ‘Around winter time, chrome will resurface in sliver and gold finishes, but for a softer look I like white pearl chrome,’ says Emma. ‘This trend is both simple and glamorous, and can be seen on a variety of celebrities including Shay Mitchell and Hailey Bieber.’
Beauty Pie similarly forecasted three variations of chrome nails in its 2024 Beauty Trends Report, taking spots two, five and six on its top 10 list. ‘Lavender chrome nails claim second place seeing a 370 percent rise [in Google searches compared to six months ago], oyster nails (that’s right, nails that look like the pearly silver deep-sea species) are fifth (+161 percent) and nude chrome is sixth on the list,’ the report reads.
6. Chocolate Milk
Milky nails will continue to have us all in a chokehold, with Beauty Pie hailing chocolate milk nails the ultimate fad for 2024. ‘The trend that tops the nail chart is chocolate milk nails, seeing an impressive 1,350 percent rise in Google searches compared to six months ago,’ Beauty Pie said in its 2024 trend report. A more neutral nail design, chocolate milk takes its cues from the latte girl trend with warm tones and a minimal (yet glossy) finish. Good enough to eat.
7. Future French Tip
And rounding off our list is a set of French tips – but not like you might know them. This nostalgic design is set to get a 2024 makeover, with new colours and finishes bringing French tips into the future. ‘Three variations of a French tip manicure also appear on the list of 2024 trending nail designs,’ says Beauty Pie. ‘Neon French tips have risen by 189 percent [in Google searches] and we expect them to continue to dominate well into 2024, from a punchy skinny pink tip to a shade of green for Wimbledon season. Metallic French tips and Double French tips complete the French trio.’
8. Balletcore
It’s not just one of the biggest makeup trends for 2024, balletcore is also having a moment at the tips of our fingers. The style is defined by soft hues of pink and ivory, reminiscent of ballet slippers and layered tutus, presenting an elevated version of the previously popular milky manicure. If you want to go full ballerina, you can even customise this nail design with dainty bows and gemstones.
9. Almond Shapes
This seems to be a winning trend amongst our experts, who all say that almond nails will be one of the most popular nail designs of 2024. Elegant, yet still glamorous, almond nails are an ultra-flattering nail shape that creates the illusion of longer, slimmer fingers. And the best part? If you grow out your nails a little bit, you can recreate the look at home by filing the edges of each nail into rounded, tapered points..
