It’s common knowledge that you don’t have to go with the crowd when it comes to fashion, but let’s just put it out there; the same rules apply for choosing a design for your nails, too! When it comes to nails, there is no such thing as a one-style-fits-all formula for you to follow, and this hands you something of an opportunity when painting yours.
And whether you like your nails to take inspiration from a monochrome design classic, be loud and proud, or even asymmetrical, we’ve got all the latest trends covered today. But if you’re not sure where to start on the road to manicured fingers and toes, you might just find inspiration here, too; here’s how to choose a design for your nails according to the latest trends.
SHORT NAILS
The trend of short nails is here to stay, with even the most stylish of celebs opting for nail art designs that are eye-catching but subtle enough not to take away from their streamlined appearance.
No matter your hand size or shape, you can still wear a design that complements your look, and if you prefer short acrylic nails in particular, there are so many different options you can have fun with.
A nail design based on an abstract pattern is perfect for you because it will allow you to showcase your personal style with as many or as few colours as you like. You can even create the illusion of a pointed tip without having the usual, requisite length by using matte colour, while metallic shades will add a luxe look. For the perfect finishing touch, you can team your nail design with some chic rings or simply leave it bare for a look that perfectly accentuates a more laid-back style.
NEW TAKE ON THE CLASSIC
If you like classic styles with a twist, stay right where you are and get yourself some French tips. This trend is also a good DIY option as long as you have a steady hand. The twist comes with the colours. Instead of having the white tip fade into the natural nail colour, you paint it in whatever way you like.
Some of the most stylish ways to do this are with metallic or glitter polish colours that will lift your look without overpowering it. You can also opt for some funky stickers on your tips if you’re feeling particularly playful while keeping them polished and neat on the side. Another way to wear French tips is via some chic nail art designs that can be worn on natural nails or acrylic ones, depending on your preference.
COLOUR BLOCKING
This trend will keep the colours fresh for days if you want it to, with super bright hues making an appearance along with classic nude, pink and red shades. If you want to test out the trend but feel like its look is way too bright for your taste, choose to wear just one vibrant nail hue at a time – it will narrow down the focus of your design while still making sure you get all the attention.
Another idea to try this trend with would be by painting each nail in a different colour or by mixing and matching some nail stickers. Whatever you choose, the colour possibilities are endless, and this trend is a great way to update your look without going too overboard or taking yourself too seriously.
MONOTONE-ISH
If you don’t like the idea of classic nude nails, but feel like going with bold colours wouldn’t suit your style – go monotone. Pick a shade you like – beige, blue, red – anything really, and paint each nail in a different hue of that one colour. That’s the key to this trend – all different shades of one colour – and you can even make your own.
If you’re not sure where to start, pick a shade that works well with your skin tone and then go from there – it will be fun to play around with shades until you find something that rocks your world. If your style is more toned down, but want to add a bit of flair, go for a nude monotone look. On the other hand, if you like to really stand out, go for some brighter shades instead.
Woman holding a cup of coffee
CHIC MINIMALIST
The path to perfect nails begins here. This trend can be found everywhere – from the runways to your local mall. Everyone wants a piece of it because it’s super stylish, low maintenance and yet eye-catching at the same time. It’s basically a style that says ‘less is more’. If you want to try out this look, there are several ways for you to go about it.
Choose a matte colour and stick to one single accent nail – this is your chance to use some glitter or sequins with the matte finish you always wanted. Another way to rock this look is by adding a simple dot at the base of each nail in a darker colour. Another way is to play with lines – a nude nail with just one or two straight lines at different heights is the way to go for this look.
MOODY FLORAL
Every year, all the fashion magazines talk about how floral prints are back in a big way. And for good reason too! Floral patterns are always so versatile – you can make them as moody or as bright as you want to, depending on your style, and you can also mix several patterns together to create something unique. A popular trend right now is to paint your nails in a dark colour like black, or dark blue, and then paint some abstract floral patterns using different colours.
The patterns are reminiscent of certain paintings – looking from afar, it’s pretty clear that it’s supposed to be a flower of some sort, but up close you can’t quite figure out which one it is. A good idea to try with this trend is by also going for a contrasting matte colour – maybe a bright hue on your ring finger, another pattern painted on the middle, and the third design with a matte finish at the base of each nail.
BRIGHT AND BOLD
If you’re the type of person who likes to wear clothes that pop, then bright and bold nails are just for you. This trend has been around for years now – some say it started in the 80s with neon colours on huge platforms. But whatever your personal thoughts about this trend might be, one thing is clear – people love it so much that it is slowly becoming a classic.
This trend is basically an opportunity for you to stand out and make a statement with your nails – whichever colour you choose, you’re bound to draw attention and get compliments on them no matter where you go. On the other hand, you can choose only one colour for your entire nail but have several different designs on each finger.