From psychedelic swirls to the colour of the year, this is the trending nail art to book in for
April 12 is just days away and if you’ve managed to nab a booking at your beloved salon, now is the time to start planning your new and improved post-lockdown look. Time to return to normality with a bang, we say.
According to nail artist and CND ambassador Marian Newman, understated nails are off the agenda. Instead, Newman says it’s time to go “big and bold”.
So, make the nail bed your canvas, and request one of these cheerful looks next week.
Get groovy
Suzi Rezler, founder of luxury press-on nail brand Naillery, says the excitement of post-lockdown life has had nail artists creating psychedelic, “anti-austerity bright, bold and graphic” designs. “I think we’re all going to be opting for longer, brighter and bolder looks and we’re already seeing a lot of swirls and graphic designs on social media.”
Animal instincts
According to OPI nail boss Jess Clarke, primal prints are on the menu. “A lot of technicians have been playing around with designs while we can’t work and animal print has been an especially prominent trend so far, snake and cow prints in particular.”
Kitsch is key
“It’s time to have some fun!” says Rezler. Taking inspiration from childhood stickers and cheeky animations, she says that artists are lightening the mood by creating “lighthearted and cute designs using florals, checkerboard, clouds, emojis all mixed together.”
Match your mask
Once again Billie Eilish is setting trends with her appearances, says Rezler. “Matching nails to your outfit and face mask á la Billie at the Grammys is a huge trend to look out for. I’m expecting to see a lot of prints to match fabrics very soon.”
Pantone palette
“For once, I love the Pantone colours of the year,” says Newman. The two chosen hues, Illuminating and Ultimate Gray work perfectly together or apart, she continues. “If you want to be really bold then go all out with a bright yellow, like CND’s Smile Maker.”
Don’t think you can handle a bright block of colour? “If you need it to be a bit more toned down, then the grey is so chic,” says Newman. “Combine them, alternate them – but just remember to smile.”
OPI Nail Boss Marta Nagorska also sees Pantone’s sunny yellow being a mainstay this season. “It’s already making waves in the nail world, plus it’s a perfect spring shade. The tonal nude gradient is still very popular (that’s a different shade of nude on each nail, darkest to the lightest, respectively), so we can expect to see it done with different colour schemes such as yellow, which has been included in most Spring/Summer 2021 nail polish collections. I love OPI’s Hollywood Collection Bee-hind the Scenes.”
And for those who prefer to flash a bare nail, you’re in luck, says Nagorska. “Yellow is also a great shade to add a pop of colour to negative space designs. It adds fun to your manicure without being over the top which I think it’s what 2021 nail trends will be all about.”
Sports illustrated
Finally, Rezler anticipates that we’ll be seeing a lot of sport inspired looks this summer. “The Olympics are coming in 2021 so I’m expecting to see Olympic and flag inspired designs. I also think we’ll be seeing a lot of the athletes sporting nail art, much like Nia Dennis in her viral gymnastics routine, which drew a lot of comparisons to Florence Griffith Joyner.”
