We’re freezing in Australia, but one thought is keeping us warm – spring is only a month away. That means we’re jumping the gun and fantasising about floaty summer dresses, scrolling through summer hair, bulk-buying fake tans, and, of course, considering nail trends. Nails are always at the top of our list. They brighten up the most boring outfits and are one of the easiest ways to accessories. Fortunately for us, according to experts, some stunning nail trends are dropping this summer.
Victoria Houllis, owner of Sydney-based nail salon Mannequin Hands, says she’s seen several newer trends emerging in 2024, influenced by everything brat summer to the economy. She says the Charli XCX’s world domination has certainly translated in salons with clients discovering a new nail colour to love, and it’s a trend that’s likely to carry through to Australian summer.”There’s been an uptick in people asking for that perfect shade of neon green,” she tells ELLE, “people usually want to brighten up their day with their nails no matter the season.”
However, jewel tones will have their moment, as people look for more sophisticated wearable colours that have bold effects but wear well. “With the state of the economy, people want longevity, which has translated to a lot of nudes, but also jewel tones, many navies, emeralds and deep reds, which we’ll be seeing in summer.”
What about chrome nails? By far the most popular trend of the last few years, Houllis says chrome shows no sign of slowing down, but more wearable versions of the trend are emerging, from nude chromes to “magnetic nails.” “Magnetic nails are a great alternative to chrome for people with heavy-handed jobs who find top coats chip.”
Finally, it seems like we’re looking for a sensory experience from our nails, with one of the most peculiar trends, “junk nails”, proving a breakout star for summer. The throw-the-kitchen-sink-at-it maximalist trend involves everything from piercings to Hello Kitty jewels and a mix-and-match style across the nails. “The variation means people don’t get bored, and it goes with everything you wear.” So, stack on your charms and slip on a sundress; these are the best nail trends of summer 2024.
The Best Summer Nail Trends of 2024
Neon Green:
Will Brat summer last until the actual Australian summer? We’re not sure, but the neon green trend is going nowhere. It’s the perfect way to add some zest to your look and is also an easy style to achieve at home. We love the Sephora Collection Nail Polish in Lime Zest ($12.00) for a brat-esque, affordable manicure.
Jewel Tones:
Like jewellery for your fingertips, jewel-toned nails, especially accented with inlays here, are a beautiful way to add character to your fingertips. As Houllis said, the deeper tones are more wearable but still vibrant. We love the slightly mix-and-match feel of this set. If you want to try the look-at-home Chanel, Le Vernis Nail Color in 183 Reveuse ($48) has the same gilt-green chrome finish.
Magnetic Gel Nails:
If you love the chrome look but find your nails chip, magnetic gel nails are a great alternative and something Houllis’ clients have been requesting more. A little bit witchy magnetic nails, otherwise referred to as cat eye or velvet nails, involve the use of a magnet. The gel polish contains a polish packed with magnetic shimmer; once the polish is cured, a magnet is passed over the fingertips, lifting the shimmer for a hypnotizing textured effect. Opt for a seafoam green magnetic polish and you’ll feel like you’re staring through clear water. If you’re looking for a similar effect without a trip to the salon apply O.P.I Infinite Shine in “Mint Condition” ($24.95) with a high shimmer sheer top coat like Kester Black, Iridescent White in Sun Catcher ($22.00).
Nude Nails (With A Twist):
Nude nails will never go out of style and as Houllis noted, there’s been a swing to more subdued, tonal polishes this year. That doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t have fun with a nude manicure though. As we’ve seen with the neutral chrome manicure, small tweaks can make classic styles totally eye-catching. Take inspiration from the “junk nail” trend (more on that below) and add a single charm or detail to a classic nude. We love Hailey Bieber’s manicurist Zola Ganzorigt’s addition of a single fleur de lis to this simple almond-shaped manicure.
Junk Nails:
Want your nails to do the talking? Artists like Chapell Roan and Charli XCX have been inspiring a move away from quiet luxury and a shift to some much-needed beauty maximalism in 2024. Junk nails are perhaps the ultimate manifestation of this, and they have taken over TikTok with hashtags like “how to do junk nails,” “getting junk nails,” and “junk nails with charms,” raking in tens of millions of mentions on the app.
While they might look chaotic at first glance, Olympian (and It girl) Sha’Carri Richardson has modelled them and convinced us. The benefit of Junk nails is you can take them in any direction you want, and they’re surprisingly easy to achieve at home (although you may find your charms wear for longer when a professional has applied them).
One way to increase wearability is to focus on a single accent nail, as with the above examples. Pile your “junk” on one statement finger to maintain a clean, eye-catching look, or bedazzled every nail, embrace the chaos and go. To try the look at home grab a box of charms from Amazon and go, this 3D Butterfly and White Flowers ($18.99) themed set has everything you need.
3D Nails
Houllis says clients are still loving nails that offer a sensory experience. If you’re not quite ready for the junkyard nail trend, 3D nails are your best bet. We love this mouthwatering citrus-inspired set from creator Melanie Graves.
Related Articles:
- 6 Hair Trends We’ll All Be Embracing This Summer
- The Nude Glow Nail Is The Next Take On The Chrome Manicure
- 8 Summer-Proof Dresses We’re Completely Obsessed With
The post Pinky Promise: We’ll All Be Wanting ‘Junk Nails’ This Summer appeared first on ELLE.