This One Colour Is the Coolest Thing to Wear on Your Nails Right Now
From bubblegum pink and sunshine orange to soft lavender and minty green, summer's trending nail colours come as no surprise. Whether we're craving Crayola-inspired brights or pretty pastels, the warmer months see us heading to nail salons in droves for an injection of colour. But this year, there's one, in particular, that has gone straight to the top of everyone's nail-colour wish list: blue. Yes, another nail-trend curveball for 2022. We've already had "clean girl" nails and colourful French tips. What's next? Blue is having a major moment right now, and I predict it's going to be everywhere this summer.
It's surprisingly versatile, and the great thing about the blue nail trend is that there's a shade to suit every taste. Whether it's a vibrant azure, a pared-down powder blue or a sophisticated, inky, navy blue, there's a blue hue for everyone.
Ahead, you can find some of my favourite blue nail looks from my "saved" folder and the best blue polishes to try the trend at home.
1. Blue Nails
This punchy blue shade looks incredibly chic with this tidy, round-tip mani.
Go for a blue with a touch of turquoise to channel summer-holiday vibes.
A pared-back blue with grey undertones provides an everyday feel.
Make like Zeena Shah and contrast two shades of blue if you just can't choose a favourite.
This classic cobalt screams summer to me.
I'm completely obsessed with these sheer-blue nail tips—so glam.
A twist on the always-classic black manicure, deep blue, like this glossy navy, is a timeless take on the trend.
Get the look:
I'm totally obsessed with Gucci's nail polishes, and I've got my eye on this cobalt hue.
2. Blue Nail Art
I'm totally obsessed with this negative-space blue manicure.
This cerulean shade really pops against the daisy-print accent nails. So cute.
I'm a sucker for anything cloud print, so this sky-blue nail art really speaks to me.
If you're opting for an intricate nail-art design like this turquoise-blue one, then keep your base neutral. I love that this mani is totally matte, too—another 2022 nail trend.
At first glance, this just looks like a beautifully glossy manicure, but look again to spot those itsy-bitsy blue dots—a delightfully minimalistic approach to nail art.
This powder-blue colour has to be one of my favourite shades, and the cheery daisy print just makes me even more enamoured.
This cyan-blue nail art combines two of my favourite trends: those minimalistic dots with the colourful French mani. I love how playful this is.
Get the look:
Periwinkle is a pretty shade that works year-round.
Not only are Essie's formulas a dream to apply, but they're long-lasting.
3. Blue French Tips
This pastel-blue French manicure is so on-trend right now.
If you're not sure about all-over nail art, then keep the contrasting colours and prints to your tips alone for a fun way to play with the blue-nail trend.
Flip the French mani on its head, and keep the colour on your nail beds instead. This peep of aqua blue looks so cool.
Keeping a bit of negative space on a bright-blue manicure keeps it feeling fresh.
Sapphire-blue nail tips and an über-glossy finish make this trendy manicure look so expensive.
The fashion set have been stepping out with this shade of blue on their nail tips. I can't wait to try it.
While I love the big, bold nail tips in colour, there's something so pretty about these ultra-skinny navy nail tips.
Get the look:
A cobalt blue is a failsafe way to tap into the blue nail trend.
I'm adding this impossibly chic navy hue straight into my basket.
Up next, glitter nails are the breakout mani trend of the summer—and I'm into it.
Mica Ricketts is a freelance beauty editor, copywriter and regular contributor to Who What Wear UK. She also writes for titles including Marie Claire Refinery 29 and Cosmopolitan, and previously worked at Who What Wear UK as Beauty Editor. With experience in both editorial and content management, she also works with beauty brands and small businesses on brand messaging and content strategy. As a busy mum of two, she is passionate about finding efficacious beauty products that can disguise all signs of tiredness with minimal effort.
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