From artsy designs to vibrant shades, here’s what nail artists are predicting will be popular in the new year
It’s never too early to start planning your manicures for 2024. While it can be hard to predict which nail looks will suddenly go viral, some polishes and nail art designs are guaranteed to have their moment in the new year.
Chrome Nails
Thanks to Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour, metallics were everywhere in 2023. You can still expect to see chrome finishes in the new year, but in a range of colors. Saunders predicts that soft chromed glaze with a pastel twist will have a moment in the spring and summer months.
Textured Designs
If you’re new to nail art, textured designs are the perfect place to start. Saunders and Hernandez see this trend continuing into 2024 for an ultra-cool and modern nail look.
“Whether it is added to a classic French or a mismatch set as 3D bubbles, this look is so versatile,” Hernandez tells PEOPLE. “I recommend using a 3D gel tube or sculpting gel to achieve this look.”
Hazy Blue
“Cold Girl” makeup went viral at the beginning of 2023, and the trend is making its way into nails for 2024. Saunders sees light blue polish with a touch of grey, which creates a hazy blue color, emerging as a nail trend in the winter months. To add a touch of sparkle, layer your blue with a silver shimmer polish.
Electric Blue
Prefer vibrant colors? According to Hernandez, electric blue will also be trending in 2024. She recommends The Gel Bottle in Electric Blue for this elegant and eye-catching nail look that can be worn year-round.
Shades of Red
Red was the biggest color trend of 2023, and the vibrant hue isn’t going anywhere for 2024. “Even though red polish is a color we attach to either a classic look or seasonal option (holidays and Valentine’s), it’s actually currently trending,” says Saunders. “I recently painted Chanel’s Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour in Rouge Puissant for an editorial, and it looked so fresh and modern.”
Saunders and Hernandez also predict that a slightly darker shade of red, known as “Cherry Cola,” will be popular next year if you’re searching for a vampy winter nail look
Squoval Nails
“Even though almond-shaped nails have been trending for several seasons, they’ve evolved into a more classic look, and squoval (soft square) will appear more often with on-trend manicures,” Saunders says of this new trending shape.
Squoval nails pair well with nearly any color, from chocolate brown to neon yellow, so you can choose a shade that matches the season and your mood.
Bows
Bow nail art is more than just a holiday manicure staple. Hernandez predicts that a coquette-inspired nail look with bows will have a place in 2024. She suggests freehanding bow outlines on your nails “to create an artistic feel to them,” but you can also use bow charms or rhinestone embellishments for a 3D look.
Mismatched Nails
When multiple shades or designs catch your eye in 2024, instead of picking one, just wear them all! Hernandez recommends being “as creative as possible” with this look, as “there is no wrong when it comes to these pick-and-mix beauties.” If you like to keep things simple, stick to solid shades for an elegant yet unique nail look.
Peach
“Pantone came out with their color of 2024, and it’s called Peach Fuzz, and I can see us all reaching for a peachy sheen nail color come the Spring of ’24,” says Saunders. This warm and cozy shade of peach is perfect for the spring and summer months for a simple and chic manicure.
Stars
Your nail look is written in the stars for 2024 — literally! Hernandez says that hand-drawn stars, while tedious, will be a trend in 2024. “The simple star set can be so versatile for any season or reason,” she says. “Practice, practice, practice is everything on this set.”
Though you can use stars to spice up a neutral manicure, you can also combine the design with bolder polishes for an especially eye-catching look.
Animal Prints
Animal prints are a classic take on nail art. There are just so many options — leopard print, tortoiseshell and even cow spots — for a fun and timeless manicure. For this animal print manicure, Hernandez combined leopard print with a pop of green for an even bolder nail look.
“I take a jelly-like brown/orange shade and add browns in layers from dark to light to create a 3D live-like look,” she says.
Pierced Nails
Give your manicure an edgy touch by adding some pierced details. “This trend saw light for a second in 2023, and I believe it will have its moment in 2024,” says Hernandez. You can add a piercing to any nail set that you’d like, from a neutral polish to a silver chrome finish. To achieve the look, she recommends using a thin nail drill bit to carefully file through your nail before adding a piercing or charm.
Short & Square Nails
Long nails never go out of style, but with celebs like Olivia Rodrigo and Sofia Richie Grainge embracing their natural nails as of late, shorter lengths will be favored in 2024. Saunders predicts that super short and square nails “reminiscent of the simplicity of the 90s” will be the new go-to look. She recommends pairing the style with a sheer pink like Ballerina by Chanel or Mademoiselle by Essie.
Aura Nails
Capture your 2024 energy with aura nails. Hernandez says this trend is “used so frequently in the nail world” and will be a hit in the new year for a fresh take on ombré nails. You can achieve this look with an airbrush gun or pigment powders in a combination of colors that suits your vibe.
