I Usually Avoid Nail Art, But These 5 Trends Have Got Me Running to the Salon

Here at Who What Wear UK, we're always covering the biggest nail-colour trends of the season. From baby pink to sky blue and subtle peach, we've rounded up the hottest shades of 2024, but if you want something a little more exciting this year, then nail art might be the way to go. Nail designs have grown in popularity over the last couple of years, with more and more people getting creative when it comes to their manicures. 

Last year, we saw the rise of embellishments and shiny chrome finishes, but what nail-art trends can we expect to see everywhere in 2024? As a beauty editor, it's my job to keep an eye out for the next big thing, so I've spent hours scouring the likes of TikTok and Instagram to figure out the biggest trends of the year.

From bold animal prints to delicate bow detailing, there are lots of different styles depending on your preferences. As someone who usually avoids nail art altogether, these trends even have me convinced, and I've already decided which design I'll be going for at my next appointment. So, if you're looking to switch up your usual manicure for a statement set, keep scrolling to get inspired. 

5 Nail-Art Trends to Try in 2024

1. Animal Print

First up is animal-print nails. It's no secret that leopard print is dominating the fashion world right now, and according to Instagram, it's definitely making its way into the beauty world, too. Lots of my favourite nail artists have been creating these chic, leopard-inspired manicures, and I happen to think that they're a fun yet elevated addition to any look. 

Leopard print not your thing? Not to fear, as there are lots of other animal designs to try. Just look at this chrome cow print manicure! 

Get the Look:

2. Micro French

French-tip nails are such a timeless design, but this year, it's all about the micro French. Think delicate, super-thin French tips in a range of colours. Rochelle Humes recently shared her matcha-inspired design on Instagram and it's perfect for spring. 

Carey Mulligan was also spotted wearing this trend at this year's Golden Globes. The star opted for white French tips for an understated finish, letting her natural nails shine through. 

Get the Look:

3. Bow Detailing

Bow accessories are everywhere right now, and this cute trend shows no sign of slowing down. If you want to take things one step further, why not opt for bow detailing on your nails? I've spotted so much bow-inspired nail art on Instagram, and it's giving me all of the coquette vibes. 

You can be as loud or as subtle as you like with this trend, as there are so many different ways to incorporate bows into your mani. 

Get the Look:

4. Heart Designs

Love is about to be in the air, as nail artists can't get enough of heart-inspired nail art designs. This trend will be huge in February in the run-up to Valentine's Day, but I think it's totally wearable all year round, too. The trick is to keep your base colour neutral and let the nail art add a subtle pop of red.

Seriously, every nail artist is sharing heart-inspired nail designs on social media right now. I love this combination of milky white and raspberry red. 

Get the Look:

5. Tortoiseshell Print

You might have seen that I recently wrote about tortoiseshell nails having a major revival in 2024. If you didn't know, Hailey Bieber wore this stylish design back in September, and since then I've seen some of my favourite nail artists follow suit. 

I don't know about you, but I think the mix of neutral tones looks so chic, and the design has a slightly softer finish compared to other animal prints. 

Get the Look:

Next Up: All Experts Agree: This Is the Most Rich-Looking Nail Colour of All Time