Last year saw us painting our nails in all the colours of the rainbow.
But what will we be asking our nail techs for in 2024?
We’ve asked top nail artists from around the world for their predictions – and some of them might really surprise you.
From elegant, timeless designs to bold, expressive nail art, here’s what we’ll all be doing with our nails in 2024.
Kim Truong, celebrity nail artist, Los Angeles, USA
“A lot of trends come from a talented nail tech experimenting behind the scenes. All the design needs is to then get spotted on the right name for it to shoot to popularity.
“The ’dark academia’ vibe has already influenced fashion and make-up, so I think it will also make its way into 2024’s nail trends – brace yourself for the rise of deep burgundy, matte black and gritty purple, as seen recently on Margot Robbie and Rihanna.
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“Recreating this at home is easy – just choose your favourite dark, moody polish, like Nailberry Oxygenated Nail Lacquer, and get painting.”
Malkia Brown, nail technician, Kingston, Jamaica
“Chrome nails will be one of the most popular looks this year. They have a shimmery finish and are loved by celebs such as Megan Fox and Kylie Jenner, plus they are surprisingly easy to DIY at home.
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Lottie London Gel Effect Polish in Lowkey, £3.95 from Lottie London- BUY NOW
OPI Infinite Shine in Go Big Or Go Chrome, £16.90 from Nail Polish Direct – BUY NOW
“First, prep your nails, then apply a clear, hydrating base coat, such as Beauty Pie Wonderlayer Base Coat, followed by an opaque shade, like Lottie London Gel Effect Polish in Lowkey. Finish with a coat of OPI Infinite Shine in Go Big Or Go Chrome.”
Trang Ho, nail educator, New South Wales, Australia
“Nail art is a great way to make a statement about our personalities, and ‘abstract nail art’ – weird and wonderful designs, spanning everything from retro swirls to random colour strokes – is a trend I predict will be popular this year.
“Peggy Gou is a fan and often opts for clashing colours and cartoon designs. It’s very expressive, so achieving it yourself is foolproof, because you don’t need a steady hand and you can use whatever is at your disposal.
Barry M Fine Tip Nail Paint Set, £7.99 from Barry M – BUY NOW
“Barry M Fine Tip Nail Paint Set, which includes three fine-tip polishes perfect for drawing, is a great kit to help you get started.”
Julita Fagan, nail expert, London, UK
“The ‘clean-girl’ glossy mani, as seen on Jennifer Aniston, is still popular, but slightly more fun is the ‘blush’ or ‘aura’ trend, using matte eyeshadow to create nail art.
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Manucurist Green Flash Top Coat, £20 from Cult Beauty – BUY NOW
“You’ll need a gel lamp, so start with an LED-curable nude base, like Mygel By Mylee Gel Polish in For Your Eyes Only, £8.99. Next, use a fluffy brush to apply a powder eyeshadow to the centre of your nail. Finish with a topcoat like Manucurist Green Flash Top Coat.”
Carolina Lopez Roque, nail salon founder, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
“I’ve seen a decline in demand for bold and colourful nail art. Instead, people are opting for elegant, minimalist designs that work with every outfit.
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14 Day Mani Cuticle Oil, £7.99 from 14 Day Manicure – BUY NOW
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“Right now, the most popular shade is red – Gucci Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish in 025 Goldie Red, is similar to the shade Dua Lipa wore to the Golden Globes last month.
“Apply 14 Day Mani Cuticle Oil, each night to prevent chipping. I also predict almond-shaped nails, which Jennifer Lopez has worn for years, will be huge. They’re easier to maintain than square-shaped nails.”
