Give a Hand – 2024’s Biggest Nail Trends

by Kerri Cooke

Having long, manicured, or painted nails instantly draws the eye to the delicacy of the hands. And many women say they don’t feel complete if they don’t have their nails manicured. 2024’s nail trends invite everyone to be as maximalist as ever.

Nail embellishments are seen everywhere on social media. Alex Mai of Prestigious nails says, “nail embellishments are ways to enhance and give each nail variety, though they are not practical to everyday usage.” Designer Marc Jacobs continues to sport what can only be described as bejeweled talons. Other influencers can be seen sporting 3-D hamburgers on their acrylics or rings threaded through a pierced nail. As the world copes with Bridgerton fever, feminine embellishments like bows, pearls and rhinestones remain popular.

With the resurgence of jelly sandals, it should come as no surprise that jelly nails are also a trend. Jelly nails involve using a color with a degree of opacity so the nail still shines through. Opt for blues, red and greens to get a candy-like effect. The look can easily be achieved at home even without sheer polishes. Just add a few drops of clear nail polish to your color of choice.

Chrome and metallic nails continue to grow in popularity after glazed donut fever last year. Mai says these finishes “give nails a visual effect from farther distances.” Whether you want a chrome finish for a shiny nude effect or desire a striking silver manicure, metallics catch the light for simple yet glamourous nails. You can also experiment by getting a French manicure but applying a liquid gold to the tips instead of white.

Cat eye nails evoke the drama of that unmistakable streak of light in the feline orb. Nails are painted with a special magnetic polish. A nail magnet is then used to move the metal particles around to create a noticeable streak. Any color can be used for cat eye nails, but the trend lends itself best to dark and deep colors.

Aura nails signal the comeback of ombre. The color blending technique was at the high of popularity around 2010 before it faded, pun intended, into obscurity. To put the aura nail into perspective, imagine a circular dash of color in the top, middle or bottom of the nail. The color radiates from the central point before stopping and letting your base nail color show through. Aura nails look as if you’ve applied a dash of watercolor paint

There is always a market for sleek and minimalist nails. They’re easy, match everything and lend an air of sophistication to the wearer. Opt for soft nudes and pinks or a standard French manicure for soft, feminine energy. And you can always invest in a nourishing topcoat for natural nails to give you that subtle manicured look.