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.
8. Floral 3D nails
This might be our favourite nail trend of 2024, we hope it lives onto next year.
9. Fairycore nails
Pastel hues, flowers, butterflies and pearls.
10. Water droplet nails
It doesn't get more tropical than this!
11. Seashell nails
Seashell nails are great with short nails and are perfect for a beach holidays.
12. Character nails
Bring out your inner child with a nail set that pays homage to your favourite cartoon character. Sonny angel nails are very popular.
13. Animal print nails
Tiger, leopard, zebra - we love them all.
14. Croc nails
Staying on the animal theme...
Natural Nail Designs
Achieving your best nails yet need not be a complicated task, sometimes simplicity is best with a natural nail look. You can always opt for a simplified version of any of TikTok's viral nail trends (see: blueberry milk nails for the proof). If you need more evidence, look to Chanel which recently breathed life into regular, air-dry nail polish, the kind of which are easy, accessible and fool-proof. Last year, Chanel’s legendary Le Vernis collection was boosted with 17 new shades, which each help to create a thoroughly modern manicure.
1. Milky Nails
Consider this trend a combination of Barbiecore and Lipgloss nails combined. It's the perfect white-meets-pink and is beautifully sheer. It's the Molly-Mae's favourite manicure and makes for the ideal engagement manicure.
2. Lipgloss Nails
If you're a minimalist lipgloss nails are for you. Elegant, simple and perfect for everyday. Think of it as the clever little sister to Hailey Bieber's glazed donut nails, a manicure look that packs high-shine gloss in a new understated guise.
3. Cute Nail Designs
If you’re feeling a bit experimental, teeny tiny nail designs can be a fun way to express your creativity. Play with bold swirls, cute drawings and shapes to create fun and eye-catching nail art on top of a natural base.
4. Short Nail Designs
This is the most minimal micro French tip manicure you've ever seen, right? If you're into super, super, simple and clean styles, opt for this gel manicure in a high shine, sheer finish.
5. Simple Nail Designs
You can't get more minimal than a single base colour. This ballerina pink shade is made ever more dainty by the crisp Russian manicure finish.
6. Milky Chrome Nails
Rosella cites milky chrome nails as one of the biggest trends for early 2024 thanks to their natural yet elegant results. She created this set on Beauty Writer Sameeha Shaikh using The GelBottle Inc's Cashmere Nude Gel Polish, £14.50, and a buffing of icy chrome pigment.
Ombre Nails
Can't decide between two colours? Mix them both together and have the best of both worlds. As Ava notes, expect gradient and ombre styles, as well as 3D embellishments, to be a big trend for 2024. Ombre/Aura nails especially, are a gorgeous set to wear throughout the year. Our personal favourite? Pink ombre nails. Take inspiration from the variety of looks below.
1. Aura Nails
This set is super unique and fun. It has a blend of two colours on each nail and is complete with 3D abstract lines for an ultra-futuristic and otherworldly finish.
2. Pink Nail Designs
This set mixes pink and mauve in an ombre halo style with a crisp almost shape. To add that extra wow factor you could add some nail gems, too.
3.Acrylic Nail Designs
Everyone will be asking to take a second look at your nails if you take on this design. Unlike the above look, this style features the deepest accent shade at the centre of the nail for a softer take on a halo style.
4. Airbrush Nails
Airbrush nails are so quick to do and is a very effective way to get a pretty mix of colours.
5. Nude Nail Designs
You can't go wrong with a classic ombre nail. This look is timeless and goes with everything thanks to its nude colourway.
Almond Nail Designs
Nails are not a one-shoe-fits-all beauty category – in fact, is anything? The democracy of nails means various nail shapes reign supreme but almond nails are quick to flood our feeds in an array of elegant styles.
1. Chrome Nails
Add a little pizzaz by embellishing with metallic or glittery tips, this look is a red carpet signature for Jennifer Lopez.
2. Blue Nail Designs
Call it reminiscent of Grecian summers or Moroccan tile work, in any case these this modern French manicure is a clever take on a classic look.
3. Red Nail Designs
Who said red nails were out? Nobody. The bold, beautiful hue isn't just reserved for Valentine's Day and will impart a sense of chic confidence year-round.
4. French Nail Designs
We love a classic French manicure, but notice how the almond shape adds that little bit of softness for a cuter look.
5. Black And White Nails
This alternating nail design mixes line art and monochrome styling into one chic look, and is made ever more cool with a strong almond shape.
French Tip Nail Designs
You can never go wrong with a French tip because there is so much versatility to be had - choose between a micro French manicure or even a reverse French manicure. You could have a French mani on just a few nails to combine different styles, or you could go bold with lots of different colours. Exhibit A: Digital Fashion and Beauty Assistant Renee Washington's colourful set below, which makes an early nod to summer nail design inspiration.
1. Colourful French Manicure
Simple yet so effective, you could even add a few patterns to spice your look up just that bit more.
2. Classic French Manicure
If you're after a natural French manicure, consider BIAB. Short for Builder In A Bottle, BIAB is a gel polish which is applied to your natural nail. It's a much thicker consistency to normal polish and the clever, durable formula will strengthen your natural nail while they're coated in it.
3. Green Nail Designs
Great any time of year, green is a hue that can be enjoyed no matter the season. Opt for deep bottle greens come winter and matcha come summer, like this set below, which is made ever more elegant with a French finish.
4. Butterfly French Tips
We're adding this butterfly and French tip combination to our Pinterest board - stat.
5. Mirco French manicure
Cute nails needn’t be overcomplicated or childish. This dainty French micro-manicure is minimalist but ultra-feminine. Image credit: Instagram @paintedbyjools
6. Glazed French Tip
When the light hits that is when the magic happens. Don't forget your rings to match.
Black Nail Designs
Winter certainly calls for deeper, darker hues, but black nails are a chic, year-round classic for good reason. See below for the best black nail designs to try now.
1. All Black
Black nails will forever be chic and the perfect finisher to any classy ensemble. Try them in the winter when you want to set the mood and any other season when you want to make a statement. This high-shine glossy finish takes this set to new heights.
2. Sheer Black Nails
Black with a touch of mystery, this nail design is a great pick for Halloween and beyond.
3. Black Abstract Nails
To recreate this look you'll need a fine tappered brush (and a steady hand) and some glitter polish.
4. 3D Nails
3D nail art is the perfect choice if you have a special occasion coming up (hello, birthday nails). You can opt for a single statement nail or dress all your nails up. This set includes silver balls and a chrome hearts gem.
5. Black aura
A black basepairs well with blue - exhibit A.
6. Star nails
Now you're a rockstar and festival ready.
7. Black 3D nails
Your nails don't need to be colourful to be considered cool, @gelxbygrace proves that.
Now that you're aquatinted with the best nail trends for 2024, why not read our guide to removing gel nail polish - it's brimming with excellent tips and tricks and perfect if you've been searching how to take off gel nails at home.
Main image credit: Renee Washington, @phoebesummernails and Sameeha Shaikh
Shop: Best Nail Polishes To Try Now
www.sephora.co.uk
This stunning shade of sage is one of 17 colours now available in Chanel's iconic Le Vernis range for natural nails. Quick-drying and utterly fool-proof, it will help to switch up your look at-home in seconds.
www.lookfantastic.com
Barbiecore shows no signs of wanning and if you're keen on jumping onto the trend, the easiest way is with a nail update. This polish boasts a flamingo pink hue which manages to be bold yet soft simulatneously.
www.nailpolishdirect.co.uk
French, plant-based brand L'atelier Green Paris offers a range of wonderful breathable, water-permeable shades that are all kind to nails and the planet. With 85% bio-sourced ingredients and a formula loaded with potato, wheat, avocado and sweet almond oils, these non-toxic polishes are a worthy investment. And this moody wine red is as chic as it gets.
www.cultbeauty.co.uk
Should you wish to DIY any of the aforementioned styles, you'll need to arm yourself with the right tools and a steady hand. For intricate nail art look to this ultra-fine brush which will make that micro French mani just that bit easier to nail (pun intended).
Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia'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).
