Without fail, a new year introduces a fresh wave of nail trends. For minimalists and nail art obsessives alike, this presents an opportunity for a total refresh. Because after donning festive, sometimes over-the-top holiday nail looks, the prospect of a clean slate and new creative energy is thrilling.
"It's so exciting to embark on a new year of trends because it's a complete mindset and vibe reset," says Olivia Van Iderstine, vice president of content and creative at Olive & June. "It encourages us to bring out colors we haven't used before, experiment with nail art and textures, and embrace a new season."
meet the expert
- Olivia Van Iderstine is the vice president of content and creative for Olive & June and the brand's resident trend expert.
- Tara Hayes is a nail artist in New York City who studied under celebrity manicurist Julie Kandalec.
To help get you inspired, here you'll find ten expert-backed nail trends that will be everywhere in 2024.
1. Baby Blues
"The color of 2024 for manis is for sure blue," says Van Iderstine. "Particularly in the beginning of the year and through Spring, we'll see lots of soft, muted pale blues."
2. Chrome Nails
"From silver chrome inspired by Beyonce’s Renaissance tour all the way to Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut nails — chrome is here to stay," says nail artist Tara Hayes. However, we'll see chrome in a wider range of colors. "Not only are there many colors for chrome, there are different types of chrome," she explains. "Most of us know about the traditional powder chrome. But as technology continues to advance, nail color trends may include even more futuristic metallic shades."
For example, the pro artist line Johen carries Chrome Ink, a liquid chrome that comes in bold shades like aqua, emerald, and hot pink. To DIY, you can try nail lacquers with a chrome finish, chrome powders, or chrome press-ons.
3. Velvet Nails
Velvet nails, achieved via magnetic nail polish, are especially popular in the fall and winter as they embody cozy vibes. But as we head into the warmer months, Van Iderstine says we'll see "velvet finishes on fresh new spring colors."
4. Vibrant Colors
"Color trends for next year are more bold and vibrant," says Hayes. "It's about playful self-expression instead of your traditional one solid color." Picture bright neons, animated jewel tones, and funky color combos.
5. Juicier Lip Gloss Nails
Lip gloss nails dominated last spring and summer, and we don't see them going away anytime soon. But instead of baby pinks, Van Iderstine anticipates a rise in the popularity of semi-sheer jelly fruity shades. Think: reds, oranges, and purples.
6. Metallic Foils
In alignment with the continued embrace of metallic finishes, Haye expects to see an uptick in the use of foils. She points to companies like Daily Charme, which carry a wide range of foils in solid colors like red, blue, and purple, along with traditional gold and silver.
7. Creamy Pastels
Pantone's 2024 Color of the Year is Peach Fuzz — a warm, romantic, and modern peach. It's a pastel with a bit more depth than we're used to seeing. Van Iderstine expects to see more creamy pastels like greens and pinks take hold as we move through winter and spring.
8. Classic French
Amid all this color and texture, Van Iderstine expects to see a ton of classic French manicures in 2024 that serve as neutral palette cleansers.
9. 3D Art
"The 3D technique involves raised designs on the nails using a variety of materials like acrylic, gel, or resin," says Haye. "Highly skilled artists use tools and materials that add depth and uniqueness to the nail design."
10. Fine Glitter
For those who want the metallic look but aren't ready to try out chrome, velvet polish, or foils, Haye expects to see more people turn to finely milled glitter polishes. They make a high-shimmer statement with minimal effort. "The beauty of glitter lies in its ability to transform any nail look from beautiful to glamorous," says Haye. "If you’re in search of a glamorous but subtle nail design, then a fine glitter is the way to go. Fine glitter provides a soft shimmer and enhances any look."