Top Winter Nail Trends
Prepare to start brushing on your cuticle oils and finding your favorite growth serums, because the new nail trends for winter will have you wanting to get your fingertips in tip-top shape ASAP. Read on to learn what you’ll see everywhere this season when it comes to adorning your nail beds.
Nail Shapes
You’ll be sure to find a shape that suits your nail needs, no matter what kind of maintenance you can commit to. The short, round or oval style was spotted on models’ tips during Rebecca Minkoff’s Fall 2019 New York Fashion Week runway, ideal for one who can’t keep up with a longer nail look. If sky-high tips strike your fancy, though, you definitely won’t be alone: the drama-filled stiletto style is particularly prominent this year. In addition, thanks to Kylie Jenner, medium-length, almond-or-coffin-shaped nails are trending for chilly days to come, a perfect place to start if you can’t decide between the aforementioned shapes.
The Updated French Manicure
Once you find your favorite shape, you’ll have plenty of fun and creative options to decorate your tips with. The French manicure is making a comeback, in particular, this season, a classic style that stirs up 90s nostalgia. There are numerous theories regarding where the iconic French mani started, but it is believed that the French manicure wasn’t actually created in France or by any Frenchman at all. Jeff Pink, the creator of cruelty-free nail polish company ORLY®, takes credit for the go-to natural nail, which he developed in 1975 as a classy, feminine option that would never outshine the outfit it accompanied. Today, the style has been given a major update: natural nail bases are paired with a bold-colored or white stripe on the tip, or a thin line is placed near the cuticle rather than at the edge of the nail, flipping the French manicure on its head. Victoria Wreen Bah—founder of Nailed by Victoria, a 24-hour mobile nail service company in New York City—puts her take on a French manicure through glitter ombré nails that leave negative space at the bottom for longer wear. “The color is applied only at the top of the nails’ free-edge area using the ombre effect,” Bah explains.
Appliqués
Indulge in the ‘extra’ with this festive trend manifested on the runways. Dozens of pearls, glitter flecks, and other embellishments are guaranteed to bedazzle as well as add interest and depth to your tips. The concept of a glitz manicure dates back to 600 BC, when China’s Chou dynasty would use gold and silver dust to add glam to their nail beds. “Appliques can and will spice up any manicure or pedicure,” Bah asserts. “There are countless options from Swarovski rhinestones to studs in gold, silver, and more colors. Foils and glitter often reign supreme as well.” According to nail expert and co-founder of Beauty District Salon Catalina Stoica, pearls are particularly prominent this season: “Pearl nail embellishments are an elegant, royal option,” she asserts. “You can adorn only one nail as an accent or go big and decorate all the nails, as seen on Adeam’s Fall/Winter 2019 runway. Keep the base neutral, using a nude or a silver color.”
Patterned Nails
If you’re feeling more experimental, try sporting a print or pattern. The black and brown tortoiseshell pattern first became popular in the 1920s with eyewear, and it has been a popular choice ever since. Complementing all skin tones, this look already has its own hashtag, while the black-and-white-marbled and cow-print manicures serve equally as popular. “I specialize in colorful nail art with abstract bold patterns and prints,” Bah asserts. Although intricate designs can cost up to $100, as they are typically hand-painted, the addition of a style as simple as polka dots can be equally wow-worthy. “Simpler patterns are better for those on a budget, but you can also go wild and get all the designs your fingers can hold!” Bah exclaims. Each style serves as an opportunity to add flair to an outfit—it’s 2020, so why not be bold?
Additional reporting by Lauren Churchill.