Our nails have become tiny canvases of self-expression and fashion statements. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the classic French tip manicure or someone who enjoys something a little more daring like 3D nail art, rhinestones and challenging designs, this year’s nail trends are turning up the heat with odd but beautiful nail colours and designs. Gone are the days of one-shade-fits-all. The beauty of recent nail trends lies in their unpredictability — bold colours, unexpected textures and designs that feel more like wearable art than a manicure. From buttery pastels and fruity fun to the return of high-shine chrome and the rise of top secret manicures, there's something for every mood and personality.
Butter yellow
Who would’ve thought the nail colour of the season would be inspired by a must-have kitchen ingredient— butter! With its warm undertones, the beauty of butter yellow nails means that options are limitless. Whether you’re looking for a full-coat swipe or just the tips, there are so many ways you can incorporate this pastel colour to your nails.
Soap nails
A simple milky white, beige or a baby pink that is extremely glossy, manicured and buffed. Essentially, it looks like your natural nails but with a buffed effect. The finished look is squeaky clean, hence the “soap” in the name. This semi-sheer, shiny manicure gives off major clean-girl aesthetics, making it a must-try manicure.
Solid burgundy
Timeless, sultry and powerful — solid burgundy is the ultimate cool-weather classic. This rich, wine-toned hue exudes confidence and sophistication, whether its worn on short natural nails or sculpted acrylics.
Cat eye nails
Cat eye nails create a unique, multidimensional look resembling the effect of a cat’s eye — that shiny, reflective effect that changes with the angle of the light. This buzzing nail trend combines glitter and metallics while maintaining a minimalistic look. Cat eye nails are purr-fect for those looking for something simple but visually interesting.
Animal print
If you’re not sold on animal print nails yet, you might want to start hopping on the bandwagon, as this nail design might be one of the hottest nail trends right now. With different design variations, animal print allows for a whole new creation with the mixing and matching of patterns— whether a croc print, tortoise shell, giraffe, zebra or leopard print.
Maximalist nails
If there’s one nail trend that truly has no limits, it’s maximalist nails. When it comes to beauty, maximalism will always be around to steal all the attention—especially when it comes to nails. We’re talking colour, chrome, bold 3D details and XXL attention-grabbing nail shapes. (This could possibly be my second favourite nail trend right after classic French tips.) Maximalist nail designs can draw inspiration from random, everyday sightings — from patterns on an intricate vase, iridescent colours, textures or even your favourite Disney characters— so you can get as wacky as you want with no judgement! It’s the definition of “go big or go home”.
Fruity nails
From strawberries and cherries to lemons and limes, or an entire fruit salad, fruit-inspired nails have quickly emerged as a popular nail trend. These nails blend playful nail art with bold colour, making it perfect for those who want to add a pop of personality to their look. You can go full-on fruit salad with a different design on every nail, or keep it classy with just a few accent nails featuring hand-painted fruit of your choice.
Russian manicure
French manicure, American manicure and now Russian manicure. For a long time the Russian manicure was kept top secret with only a handful of nail techs providing the service. But thanks to TikTok, that quickly changed. While it may seem exotic, the Russian manicure is nothing new to the manicurist scene. And it’s not all that difficult; it’s simply a nail grooming technique (unlike the French manicure, which is a visual style). However, it still requires a delicate hand. Russian manicures involve precise cuticle work, which can be done using nail bits, scissors, or nippers (technician’s choice) and a gel overlay for a polished finish.
Recent stories by:
