12 Celeb-Approved Nail Trends to Try in 2024

1. Chrome Accents

Chrome was one of this year’s biggest nail trends, and it’s easy to see why. The metallic mani brings a bit of bling to any outfit and is easy to match with your accessories (as pictured). Whether you prefer to incorporate chrome by way of 3D accents or an all-over silver sheen, it’s sure to elevate your look. You can even try layering the chrome powder on top of another color for a kaleidoscopic take on the trend. 

2. Colorful French Manicure

The French manicure had a full-fledged revival this year, but it also got a much-needed remix. We saw plenty of celebrities—including mani mother Hailey Bieber—sport a more colorful version of the classic nail style, all while retaining its minimalism. Next time you’re due for a manicure, trade out the traditional white tips for a vibrant orange, pink, or even black French manicure. The subtle pop of color will add a playful feel to any look. 

3. Soft Pastel Hues

Between bubble bath–pink nails and baby blue manis, one of the most popular trends of this year was soft, pastel hues. While we first spotted the look on (then-) expectant moms like Sofia Richie, the delicate nail trend quickly caught on with other celebrities, including Dua Lipa and Selena Gomez. Try the understated manicure yourself with a light blue or pink shade, or go neutral with a butter-yellow color. 

4. Classic Red

 Red has been splashed all over this year’s fashion, so it only makes sense the color would translate to our manicures. Candy-apple red seems to be the most popular version of the bright nail color, but just like finding your ideal lipstick shade, feel free to experiment with what works best for you. A darker hue could offer a more gothic take on the trend, while scarlet accents are great for trying out the color for the first time.

5. Aura Accents

At some point this year, you probably stumbled across aura nails. The style features a circular ombré effect that emulates a glowing aura, and the fun part is, you get to decide what color you want your aura to be. While some versions of this manicure opt for a different aura design on each nail, the look still makes an impact with repeated shades. The moody purple, orange, and brown tones of this manicure are the perfect hues for your fall aura. 

6. “Rich Girl” Nails

Popularized by Tom Bachik—manicurist to stars like Jennifer Lopez and Selena Gomez—the “rich girl” nail trend is a step up from the classic clean manicure. It uses a creamy, full-coverage nude polish to invoke a sophisticated feel, and is guaranteed to match any accompanying “rich girl” outfit. Because this mani is all about the color, you can also choose whichever nail shape you want. 

7. Squared Up

For a new twist on color blocking, how cute are these? These will beg for a second glance at anyone whose eye they catch. You can play with so many different colors and this is an easy manicure to DIY if you have a striping brush or two. Pro tip: Paint your entire nail the base color nail polish first. Then add your smaller square in the accent color. It doesn’t have to be perfectly symmetrical. It might even look cool if all the squares are slightly different sizes.

8. Ballerina Bows

Two things that definitely won’t be going away this year: ballerina-inspired trends and bows. Both of them go hand in hand, and we saw tons of displays of these nail designs during New York Fashion Week this past fall. Just check out these amazing bows made into a complete luxe hair look. Channel this trend via your manicure by using subtle baby pinks, micro french tips, rhinestones, and of course, don’t forget a bow or two.

9. Mancala Gems

Doesn’t this remind you of the mancala game? You know, the one with all the colorful gemstones? We’re huge fans of mixing up your manicures with multiple colors and this one uses cat-eye gel to get that extra dimension. Don’t be afraid to choose a family of colors that might not go together at first glance. You might just end up with a super cool mancala manicure like this one. We might even try this in pastel colors once the spring comes.

10. Kawaii Inspired

Kawaii is actually a Japanese word meaning “cute” and “appealing in an endearing way.” You might be familiar with Sanrio characters such as Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll, both of which pop up in nail art quite often. When you see these kitschy, colorful manicures that include 3D gel and charms, chances are they were done at a Japanese salon. References are always helpful, and if you want something similar, there are plenty of images to scroll through if you search “Kawaii-inspired manicure.” They’re super trendy right now for gel nail manicures.

11. Tinted Nails

Nail health, nude nails, natural nails, and naked nails will be huge trends this year. We wouldn’t be surprised if we see the “it girl” nails trending sometime soon boasting clean, natural nails with that perfect clear polished sheen on them. Something we’ve been loving? Nail tints. They’re cropping up everyone! Think of them like skincare but for your nails. Not only do nail tint products add a gorgeous tint to your nails, but they also deliver them much-needed vitamins to condition and strengthen to help you achieve your best nails yet. These make for a great invisible french manicure base too. You don’t even need a top coat.

12. Chocolate Brown Nails

Latte nails are seemingly taking over the internet this fall. Something we don’t anticipate going away are those deep chocolate brown nail colors. They’re rich and perfect for the girl who loves all things neutral. We might even seen some chocolate glazed donut nails like these!

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