Aesthetically, 2023 was a balanced scale, one side weighing quiet luxury and practiced minimalism, the other laden with cores, from Barbie to mermaid. And along the way, artists and creators alike dreamed up the manicures to match. From French revolutions and milky topcoats to surrealist art and tone-on-tone takes, nail trends found power through subtlety, even the most expressive of additions applied with an effective air of artistic restraint. And as for 2024? The year is slated to welcome all things light and bright.
“There’s an exciting shift happening in nail colors and finishes, moving toward a more vibrant and airy look, which is a departure from the deep, rich colors and opaque finishes that have dominated recent trends,” says nail artist Jin Soon Choi. This want extends from ethereal polishes to the primary colors sure to punctuate your forthcoming looks.
Access to enhanced methodologies will play a part, too. Nail artist Betina Goldstein expects to see more hyper-realistic nail art—3D, though applied with a minimalist slant—while Steph Stone anticipates an onslaught of new and improved approaches. “Most of my predictions come from seeing the technology of nails evolve,” says Stone, who cites new ilks of gel and new layering techniques as examples. “We’re getting more and more mediums to create nail art with and I think in 2024 we’re going to see a lot of curiosity around what can be done with them!”
Here, five nail trends to look for in 2024.
Light and Airy
Take a break from those moody hues—this year, we’re opting for fresh simplicity. “Overall, there's a trend toward lighter and airier finishes,” says Choi. “Opaque, heavy coats are giving way to sheer, delicate layers that let light through, creating a more ethereal and modern look.”
New Tech
Less a look and more of a movement, the evolution of nail tech will bring a wealth of TBD (and infinitely extra) possibilities. “I think with all these new nail technologies, we’re going to have a more is more moment,” says Stone. “We’re going to want to see what it looks like to mix and match chrome powders, layer ice gels, and get funky with our color palettes.” In keeping with modern minimalism, Stone suggests keeping nails on the shorter side to counter any exaggerated applications.
Primary Colors
Bright, saturated shades will have their place in 2024, each with a pop-art infusion that makes the palette feel fresh. Goldstein expects a want of bold primary colors like cobalt blue, mustard yellow, and scarlet red, while Choi predicts vibrant wildflower hues like fuchsias and oranges.
Jelly Finishes
For Choi, jelly finishes are among the most exciting burgeoning trends. “This translucent, jelly-like finish creates a soft, diffused effect, allowing your natural nail color to peek through, adding freshness and dimension,” she explains. The artist notes that the approach—which her team used on the spring 2024 runways of Helmut Lang, Michael Kors, and Brandon Maxwell—is both vibrant and soft, an in-sum of the year’s forthcoming looks. A jellied rose provides an optimal starting point. “This look is delicate and sophisticated, and it's perfect for those who want to create a natural-looking manicure-like gel finish,” says Choi.
New Metallics
“I think metallics will still continue to dominate in the early part of 2024,” says Goldstein. For her part, Stone anticipates that the new tech trend will extend to the metallic sector via magnet manipulation, making for a new age of nails. “We’ve seen ‘velvet nails’ and cat-eye gel, but Korean and Japanese artists have been taking it to the next level: My explore page is full of magnet manipulation to create everything from a French tip to evil eyes, and also aura nail,” says Stone. “I haven’t seen it hit the U.S. market so heavily yet but it’s only a matter of time!”
Listen to Vogue Beauty editors share more of the biggest beauty trends of 2024 on this episode of The Run-Through here.
