According to Our Instagram Feeds, Fashion People Everywhere Cosign These Nail Designs
In recent years, trend cycles have been operating at a breakneck speeds, dropping inspiration, fueling debates, and receiving rebrands in mere day if not hours. For a better idea of how and why certain fashion and beauty trends get started and why others disappear from our For You pages entirely, it's always helpful to take a close look at the intersection between the world of fashion and beauty and pull out the standout ones we can't get enough of.
As you may have already guessed, WWW beauty editors spend a good bulk of our time monitoring the beauty trends Instagram's fashion people are embracing, and we have special intel as to which creative minds are bringing them to life. It should be no surprise that cute nails designs happen to be one of our favorite topics to enthuse over! Below, we're sharing fashion person–approved nail designs and a few of our favorite products to keep your new manicure looking fresh long after you leave the salon.
The Best Cute Nail Designs to Re-Create
1. Aperol Spritz
The only thing better than sipping on an ice-cold Aperol spritz during a hot day is wearing a manicure that draws from the refreshing drink's citrus color palette.
2. Pearl on Pearl
This classy nail design is created by using a milky white chrome base and adding eye-catching pearl and sequin details that will make your heart skip a beat.
3. Rhinestone Starburst
Speaking of sparkling nails… Try combining rhinestones with retro starburst art for a bold and unique take on a classic nail look that adds instant intrigue.
4. Twisted Tuxedo
For this nail look, we're taking cues from nail artist Iram Shelton and tapping into our love for monochrome designs and Frenchies for the best of both worlds.
5. A Touch of Burgundy
Burgundy has been largely popularized as a fall and winter shade, but we're here to argue that the timeless shade can be worn year-round without falling out of style.
6. Colorful French
If you're getting tired of the classic "pink base and white tips" combo for your French manicure, shake things up and try wearing all your favorite colors at once.
7. Minimalistic Waves
Some of the cutest nail designs we've come across incorporate little to no color or art, like this manicure featuring dainty, minimalistic waves by Julia Diogo.
8. Frosted Nude
If you loved the Hailey Bieber glazed donut trend that took over our social media feeds, then consider switching out your pinkish base for a whisper of brown.
9. Mermaid Chrome
Not turning into a mythical human-fish hybrid won't stop us from embracing our inner mermaid or siren by asking for this aquatic chrome manicure at the salon.
10. Pattern Play
Who said you have to stick with just one playful pattern for your nail design of choice? Combine a few of your favorite looks and re-create this creative manicure.
11. Mismatched Mani
In the same fashion, we're in love with this mismatched manicure that features one bright nail design on one hand and a neutral, minimalistic design on the other.
12. Farmers Market
Fashion people have also been posting nonstop with nail art drawing directly from nature scenes, like this farmers market–inspired manicure by Queenie Nguyen.
13. Artsy Flames
Hop on the flame nail art trend by re-creating this bold manicure by Paragon Nails that combines a chrome design with shades of white, yellow, and green.
14. Peach Ombré
You can never go wrong with a stylish peach ombré that perfectly complements your skin tone. Take your time picking out shades, and pay attention to your undertones.
15. Textured Snakeskin
This textured manicure created by London-based celeb nail artist Imarni was made by placing soapy suds on a lime-green chrome pigment and wiping them away.
16. Electric Orange With 3D Details
Graphic nail art has been everywhere on Instagram lately. This electric-orange manicure features 3D orange and chrome details on long almond nails.
17. Cashmere Combo
Follow Christiana Hooks's lead and try a manicure featuring five different shades of cashmere, ranging from a dusty white to eggplant purple, for a subtle ombré.
18. Blue Flames
If you're ready to hop on the flame nail art trend, give it a try by adding striking blue-and-white flames to the tips of your nails with a layer of chrome.
19. Chrome Crosses
There's no better way to do chrome than going all out, and this chrome manicure featuring 3D crosses on the ring and index fingers is as stylish as it gets.
20. Amber Tortoiseshell
As soon as fall begins, you can count on at least one of Who What Wear's beauty editors sporting tortoiseshell manicures like the one below by Betina Goldstein.
21. Burgundy and Navy-Blue Tips
Whether you're feeling extremely patriotic or just love a timeless navy-blue and burgundy combination, this charming French manicure is perfect every time.
22. Hand-Painted Monarch Butterflies
Monarch butterflies are easily one of the most gorgeous winged insects, and we're loving how Goldstein features them as the centerpiece of this mystical manicure.
23. Extra Embellished
This iconic manicure by celebrity nail artist Holly Falcone for a PriscaVera campaign is proof that cute nail designs can never have too much embellishment.
Shop the Best Products for Manicures
Customer Review: "I like it. It's helpful to have this near. The head of the brush is just right to fit in close areas, such as the cuticle. I post on social media, so a close cleaning is necessary for macro shots and appearance. The dot is just an extra plus. I can just turn the tool around and dot instead of searching everywhere for one."
Customer Review: "I was pleasantly surprised to find this cuticle pusher is an absolute dream. The frosted glass makes it easy to scrub that little bit of skin that sticks to the nail bed around the cuticles that you just can't get to [no] matter what you try. Makes for a much nicer manicure!"
Customer Review: "I use it with CND polish, and it is perfect! The polish has lasted two weeks easily so far. The lamp is compact, easy to use, and was shipped quickly. Makes in-home gel manicures a breeze!"
Customer Review: "These are my second set of nail files. They do not cut my skin as I file my nails and file in a way that allows me to shape my nails as I go along. They are a special gift if you need to give one, but mine are for me."
Customer Review: "My nails have never looked better! After years of gel polish, I decided to go au natural, but my nails were dry and constantly splitting. This oil has fully restored the health of my nails (which I had given up on ever happening!) [and] cured my dry cuticle problem!"
Customer Review: "My nails were splitting at the ends, so I tried these products, and this nail strengthening kit has done wonders for my nails! They are growing, strong and no more splitting or peeling at the ends of my nails. Does work well!"
Customer Review: "The gorgeous finish and solid feel of these set them apart from anything you've picked up from the corner store. Everything neatly tucks into a supple leather rolling case. If you're looking for top of the line, this is it."
Customer Review: "I'm always looking for something that is practical and easy. I love this because it has amazing scent and really help strengthen my nails too. It has grown faster than before, and I even use it on my toes. Definitely will repurchase as I find it practical and value for money."
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's Associate Beauty Editor based in New York City. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.
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