We're officially over halfway through the year, so naturally, I'm wanting to know what the biggest nails trends for the remainder of 2023 will be. Twenty twenty-two saw a number of nail art trends, from the Hailey Bieber "glazed donut" manicure to the colourful French tips that we turned to as the temperatures soared. But what does 2023 hold for nail designs? As a beauty editor, I'm keen to know what we'll all be booking in for at our beloved nail salons through the rest of this year.
To find out which nail trends, nail colours and nail art we will all be booking in for this year, I asked two top nail experts to share their predictions with me. Ahead, celebrity nail artist Gracie J of The Editorial Nail and Samantha Kendrew, head educator at Mii Cosmetics, share the 2023 nail trends that you should have on your radar. Get ready to book in that all-important nail appointment.
2023 Nail Trends
1. French Illusion Nails
It's a nail trend that has taken over our social media feeds recently, and this optical-illusion manicure is set to continue into 2023. The ombré effect creates a three-dimensional look that gives the illusion of light and shadow on the nails. We can also expect to see the traditional French manicure take a twist, with abstract placement that turns the simple lines on its head.
Lavender is one shade you can expect to see a lot of this year, making it the perfect way to wear the trend.
Shop the trend:
Taking the above into consideration, add this colour to your nail polish collection, stat.
A must-have for creating French tips or fine white lines.
Two easy to use tools for creating fine lines and dots.
2. Sensorial Nails
Sensorial nails with tactile textures will be big news for summer and autumn says Kendrew. "Maximalist is definitely here for 2023," she says. "Nails will be tactile and dressed with a variety of textures including 3D decals, gems and floral adornments in a non-traditional application to create texture. This can be worn as a signature nail, on the tips or a fully immersive style."
Whether it's embellishments or texture-effect polishes, we can expect the sensorial nail trend to take off on our fingertips in 2023.
Adorning a nail on each hand with embellishment is a super wearable way to embrace the trend.
Glazed nails are very much here to stay thanks to the likes of Hailey Bieber.
Shop the trend:
The rhinestones have a glued back, making the application easy and long-lasting.
This kit has everything you could ever need and more!
Sparkles aren't just for party season...
3. Velvet Nails
On the tail of the sensorial trend are velvet—or cat-eye—nails. We've spotted this nail effect on the social feeds of the biggest nail techs, and it is still gaining momentum with varying application methods and designs. These shimmering polishes react with magnetic exposure, creating a dual-toned effect that resembles the expensive look of velvet.
A velvet-inspired twist on a French mani. We love.
When your bold blue velvet mani perfectly compliments your Milk Makeup stash.
Shop the trend:
You can use the included magnet on the top of each cap to customise your nails in swirling patterns.
Mavala has plenty of velvet-esque nail polishes, but this purple-pink shade has to be my favourite.
A green hue works really well with the velvet nail trend.
4. Shape-Shifting Nails
"As a press-on aficionado, my favourite thing to do with my press-on nails is to incorporate versatility in the designs," says Gracie J. "I love a two-in-one look that can shape-shift without compromising the integrity of the design. It's one of the key features in my collection and such a fun way to diversify nail art for my clients and customers." Simply choose a long nail design and cut down (and file) to create a brand-new nail design.
The chocolate-toned mani of dreams.
It's safe to say we are completely mesmerised by this video.
Shop the trend:
The quick and easy way of getting pro nail art from home.
Opt for these if you want easy, at-home french tips.
I love this Nails. Inc set, which comes with 24 tonal tips.
5. Molten Metallics
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"Melted metallics and iridescent silver finishes give an out-of-this-world, virtual-reality feel to nails," says Kendrew. We're continuing to see chrome powders and molten polishes reign, and this trend is only going to gain momentum in 2023.
*Saves for next trip to the nail salon*
Created by using a chrome powder which is buffed into the nail.
Shop the trend:
The effect can easily be recreated at-home with metallic nail polish.
Possibly the best gold polish I've ever seen...
Beauty Pie's silver shade is just dreamy.
6. Optimistic Tones
Beauty can often be a mirror for—or a form of escapism from—the world around us, and Kendrew predicts that we'll be tuning in to optimistic colours over the next few months. "Bold, uplifting colours such as turquoise, fuchsia, bright blue and luscious red will showcase this desire for optimism and joy," she says. Whether it's a minimalist French tip or clashing bright tones, we're getting a hit of dopamine from these bright nail hues.
Mint green is another shade set to be everywhere this year. Opt for it on your tips for a clean-and-cool-girl way to wear the trend.
Looking at this mani is an immediate mood-booster.
Shop the trend:
Everything about this shade is joyful. It's like summer in a bottle.
Models’ hands were rocking hot pink at countless SS23 runway shows.
A yellow tone is just perfect for spring.
7. Mood Ring Nails
We're getting all the good vibes for these mood-ring nails in 2023. Also coined aura nails, this nail art design is created with an airbrush gun, so it's a design you should definitely book in with your nail technician for the best finish. However, we're also seeing the return of colour-changing nail polishes that react to temperature, so you can still get the mood-ring effect at home.
We have nail, eyeshadow and vintage leather jacket envy right now.
Valentine's Day is just around the corner...
Shop the trend:
This highly pigmented, matte shade changes your nail colour depending on the temperature.
Create your own mood board nails with a light lilac shade mixed with blues and pinks.
This quick-drying polish is a real time saver.
8. Milky Nails
This trend is as much about texture as it it about colour. Think of it as a blended French manicure—pinky-white in hue with a sheer, high shine finish.
This easy-to-achieve and low maintenance trend is a fresh and fun take on natural-looking nails. Choose between cool-toned and warm-toned shades to best suit your skin tone.
Shop the trend:
Builder gel is often used as sheer, natural-looking base for nail art. Wear it on its own to effortlessly nail the milky effect.
Essie have wide range of options when it comes to choosing neutral nail colours, but this sheer option is spot on for this trend.
A perfect pink-white blend.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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