Our monthly manicure appointment could not be more highly anticipated. We’ll look for every excuse to indulge in a little self-care - and to choose one of the many viral nail designs reigning supreme on our Pinterest boards. Whether you love everything gel nails, are partial to acrylic extensions or are a BIAB nails kind of gal, it’s safe to say that committing to a nail look can be tricky – but cute nails are always a good place to start.
While ever-enduring nail trends reign supreme, think: Hailey Bieber's viral glazed doughnut nails, micro-French nails and the 2024 Met Gala approved 3D nails, cute nails are the quite luxury answer to the perfect every day manicure.
The masses have been Googling, too, with searches for ‘how to do cute nails,’ and ‘cute nail designs’ in high demand - and we couldn’t be more delighted. But what are they exactly?
A-list manicurist and senior Mylee ambassador, Tinu Bello (who counts Sandra Oh, Anne-Marie, and Holly Willoughby among her clientele) says, ‘"Cute nails" is a broad term that refers to nail designs, shapes, and styles that are seen as pretty, adorable, and playful. What is considered ‘cute’ can vary massively, depending on personal preferences and current trends. However, some characteristics commonly associated with cute nails include: bright colours, fun patters, playful accents, subtle details and unique shapes.'
Make way for dainty floral designs, pretty nail stickers, sweet French tips and everything in between. Scroll on for your fix of the best cute nail designs for summer 2024 and beyond.
See: The best cute nail designs for 2024
Psychedelic pastels
Forget what you think you know about pastel, says 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. Image credit: Pinterest
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. Image credit: Pinterest
Nostalgic floral nails
This set is sunny, uplifting, and guaranteed to spark a lot of joy. Bello says, 'Floral nail art does what it says on the tin. It's the placement of hand- painted, or sticker flowers on top of your colour, or natural nail. It can be a floral border at the cuticle or tip of your nail, or it can be one lone flower, or a spattering of them adorning your mani. The look is customisable to your own preferences.' Image credit: @gelsbybry
Cute butterfly nails
This gold and pink manicure is surely one to screenshot – we adore the addition of the butterfly nail sticker. So cute! Image credit: Instagram @beautybyzoeberkshire
Line art nails
For cute nail designs look no further than this magical manicure. A pop of neon combined with dainty line design makes for the perfect summer nail design. Image credit: Instagram @bynic_nails
Cute wedding day nails
Iram Shelton is one of the most sought after manicurists in the world right now. And with nails like this, it isn’t hard to see why. Diamond adornments and cute hearts make this ideal for wedding day nails or even Valentine’s Day nails. Adorable. Image credit: Instagram @Iramshelton
Watercolour floral nails
Delicate flower nail art designs are always going to be cute. Iram revealed that her base shade of choice is OPI’s Put it in neutral, £12.67. Image credit: Instagram @Iramshelton
Cute pink nails
Power pink nails are having a moment. These Barbie coloured beauties look particularly great when teamed with gold jewellery. Image credit: Instagram @paintedbyjools
Mirco French manicure
Cute nails needn’t be overcomplicated or childish. This dainty French manicure is minimalist but ultra-feminine. Image credit: Instagram @paintedbyjools
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. Image credit: Instagram @klawsbysonia.
Black and white nails
Cute yet modern, these yin and yang nails by Alyx Lippiatt are both philosophic and aesthetic. Definately worthy of a screenshot ahead of your next salon appointment. Image credit: Instagram @alyxlippiatt
Heart nails
Need cute nails? Look no further than this, which really are the cute nail archetype thank to a a French manicure, a perfectly pastel pink base and tiny heart accents. Image credit: Instagram @monika__nails
Pastel cute nails
This might just be cuteness overload, and for all the right reasons. With butterfly motifs, smiley hearts, stars and rainbows, it amalgamates all that is cute into one pastel hued nail landscape. Image credit: Instagram @nailsbyjanine.x
Chrome pink nails
A cross between chrome and glaze, these high-shine nails feature a gradient ombre finish for a spin on a fast-becoming classic nail set. Image credit: Instagram @noor.nailbar
Aurora neon nails
This is what we would call a work of art. Characterised as what Bello calls 'aurora nails', this set boasts shades of purple, pink, orange, yellow, green and blue, all brought together with a gradient effect and 3D ripple gel textures. It's one to add to your Pinterest board, stat. Image credit: Instagram @melssnailss.
What is the hottest nail trend?
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.
What are the 5 basic nail designs?
According to Bello, the five basic nail designs commonly associated with cute nails are: cheerful and vibrant bright colours (usually pastels, particularly pinks, yellows, blues, and purples); fun and whimsical patters like polka dots or hearts; playful accents which can include glitter or pearls; subtle details like a gradient or ombre effect; and finally unique nail shapes, such as almond, oval, coffin, or stiletto, which give classic shapes like round and square a run for their money.
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia UK's Beauty Writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).
Main image: Instagram @melssnailss, @nailsbyjanine.x and @gelsbybry