The return of simple, short nails

First up, celebrities are ditching their ultra-long manicures for simple, short nails. Margot Robbie walked the Saltburn red carpet late last year with short squoval (square and rounded) nails in a customised shade of khaki green created by manicurist Tom Bachik to compliment Robbie’s sheer, corseted black dress.

According to Blake Lively’s regular manicurist, Elle Gerstein, “there will be an uptick in fun colours including pastels and jellies. We’ll also see a resurgence of textural nails.” This can be as simple as a glitter topcoat over your favourite hue; try Nails Inc HD Glitter in “Ring Light Ready” ($18). For even more definition, get playful with nail stickers such as Kasuwa 5D Embossed Snowflake Nail Art Stickers ($21).

As far as colours go, the choice is vast. Deep burgundy, black cherry and fire-engine red are universally flattering, eye-catching nail shades that mirror fashion’s latest obsession with all things red. Try Essie Salon Quality Vegan Nail Polish in “Bordeaux” ($16) or Gucci Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish in “Goldie Red” ($57).

Pastels are also on our radar, perfect for matching fingers and toes. Our current obsession is O.P.I’s “I Am What I Amethyst” ($24). Nearly nudes will always be a nail stalwart and Chanel have nailed it with their latest offering, Chanel Boy de Chanel Le Vernis in “Natural” ($45), to create a barely there manicure. This is the perfect DIY polish and maybe even, as the name suggests, one for the boys.

Green is still the new gold in shades of emerald, pine and olive with a densely opaque finish. Try Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in “Vert Ecossais” ($78) and O.P.I Nail Lacquer in “Stay Off the Lawn” ($13). Grey with a slightly bluish tinge is also a hot favourite – we love Essie Nail Polish in “Press Pause” ($14)

Black can look a little lifeless, so the new black is universally flattering chocolate in deepest, darkest cocoa. Try O.P.I in “Bonfire Serenade” ($23), as with all opaque colours two coats are a minimum. At the other end of the spectrum is white; it never goes out of style, from clotted cream to snowy white the colour shades are almost as numerous as the nudes. Try Sally Hansen Good, Kind, Pure Vegan Nail Colour in “White Tea” ($10).

For an extra touch of glamour, try the crushed-diamond effect of CND Vinylux in “Off the Wall” ($11) with delightful gold and beige tones. Last but by no means least come the metallics – bronze, gold, silver and pewter. Our pick of the season: Sally Hansen Colour Therapy in “Therapewter” ($12).