2021 is the year we leave basic white French tips and monotone all-black nails behind. Getting ready for a trip to the nail salon? Or trying your hand at a DIY manicure at home? If you’re looking for inspiration for your next nail design, we’ve got something for you. From funky checkerboard prints and creative variations of the Yin-Yang motif to familiar faces from your favourite anime, we’ve rounded up the hottest nail art trends that have received the stamp of approval from Kylie Jenner, Halsey, Megan Thee Stallion, and more.
Checkmate
Maybe it’s the excitement from Formula One or perhaps it’s the lasting impact of lockdown hit The Queen’s Gambit, but checkered nails have been popping up everywhere. Nail artists have transformed the classic black and white print of checkerboards and racing flags into a kaleidoscope of colourful renditions, incorporated into French tips and mismatched manis.
3D Candy
These 3D nails take y2k’s bubblegum aesthetic onto a whole new level. Topped with candy hearts, swirl lollipops, and even Hello Kitty, these nails are a pastel-tinted throwback to the 2000s with plenty of bling.
It’s All Pucci
Beauty has always taken cues from fashion, and this season, the abstract prints by Italian fashion designer Emilio Pucci have become a favourite in the world of nail art. The key to achieving the “Pucci” nail lies in marrying bright colours with squiggly lines and geometric shapes — the bolder the better.
Neutrals With a Twist
If you think neutral nails will make you go incognito, it is time to think again. From groovy marbling to mismatched zebra prints, these nail artists have experimented with their shades of nudes and browns, showing the world that you can stand out from the crowd, even with neutrals.
Fanta Orange
Fall’s favourite colour has been given a more daring makeover on nails recently. Instead of the usual muted burnt orange we are seeing a brighter, more striking shade, coupled with rhinestones and marbling patterns for a sprinkle of fun.
Yin-Yang
The past year has been all about finding balance — even in designing your nails. While the yin-yang symbol is traditionally made up of equally-halved black and white swirls, nail artists have re-imagined the Taoist motif by giving it a more abstract form and incorporating it into colourful tips.
Anime Madness
The anime craze is the new Hallyu wave. Familiar animated faces from childhood favourite Sailor Moon to new obsession Demon Slayer have all made their way from screens onto the latest nail designs — another creative way to spice up your everyday look with pop culture.
Gen Z Green
Push Millennial Pink aside and make way for Gen Z Green. This shade of green has already dominated fashion (cue Bottega Veneta) and now it is making its strides into beauty, tinting abstract curves and funky azetc patterns alike.
Logo Mania
You’ve probably made a statement with your clothes, but what about with the logos of the brands that made them? From the classy Chanel monogram to the iconic Nike swoosh, this latest nail art trend proves that logos are timeless and belong not just on the back label of your shirt, but on the tips of your fingers too.
Editor
Kaitlyn LaiCredit
Lead Image: @evemeetsnails via Instagram
