11 mins
9 nail trends to note for spring/summer 2024
Stay on top of client requests with an exploration of nail trends & shades set to dominate the coming season REBECCA HITCHON REPORTS
Image courtesy of en Vogue, showcasing Do Not Disturb from the Out Of Office lac it! gel polish collection, available via www.envoguenails.eu
1 ‘HEALTHY’ NAILS
“As consumers grow more health-conscious, being visibly healthy is more important than ever,” says Holly Morris-Last of Hollystic Nails, Lancashire. “A minimalist, clean manicure with hydrated skin epitomises health and refined grooming, mirroring the clean lines and polished simplicity of the fashion scene. Opaque designs inspired by sheer trends on SS24 catwalks will also be popular, with the ‘your nails but better’ style, lipgloss nails, featuring heavily.”
Holly Morris-Last
Jaz Moger
Salon System nail expert, Jaz Moger, agrees, commenting: “I expect to see lots of understated nail looks this season. Think minimalist nail art and French manicures, plus barely-there neutrals, as clients seek ease and simplicity.”
Spring has sprung, bringing fresh takes on nail styling and new colour collections to enjoy. It’s a shift to feel excited about, as clients switch up their nail choices and social media becomes abuzz with seasonal creations. We’ve done our research to help you get to grips with the nail looks your clients will be lusting after this spring/summer, so you can prepare your artistic skills and stock accordingly. Let’s take a look...
Julia Diogo of @paintedbyjools used Bio Sculpture Gel to create this milky, hydrated look.
Minimalist nail art on Jason Wu models at New York Fashion Week SS24, led by team JINsoon.
INK London Flubber Builder Base in Baby Boom
£14.17 + VAT www.inknails.com
Salon System Gellux Gel Polish in Bare Necessities £11.95 + VAT. Available via wholesalers nationwide.
Artistic Colour Revolution Reactive Nail Lacquer in Don’t Sweat The Pink Stuff
£3.95 + VAT/RRP £5.75 www.sweetsquared.com
Mateja Novakovic (@metajanova), a content creator for nail brand, Manucurist, achieves the lipgloss look with a sheer, glossy overlay.
Jaz Moger pairs a natural-looking finish with colourful dots near the cuticles, for a nod to the season.
2 PEACH FUZZ
OPI GelColor in Apricot AF
£19.90 + VAT www.opi.com
en Vogue lac it! Gel Polish in Do Not Disturb
£POA www.envoguenails.eu
The Color of the Year, picked by global colour authority, Pantone, might support shade decisions for 12 months, but 2024 hue, Peach Fuzz, makes an ideal colour choice for spring/summer – whether for a solid overlay or playful art. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director for the Pantone Color Institute, comments: “A cosy peach hue softly nestled between pink and orange, Peach Fuzz brings belonging, inspires recalibration, and an opportunity for nurturing, conjuring up an air of calm.”
Gelish Soak-off Gel Polish in Lace Be Honest
£16.99 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.ukwww.salon-services.com
Inesa of @_i.b.beauty_ used Gelish hue, Lace Be Honest, to paint this design featuring a peach heart and French-style tip.
This block colour nail look by West Midlands tech, @oh_so_gelous, was created using The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Peach Daiquiri.
The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Peach Daiquiri
£14.50 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com
Halo Gel Polish in Reef
£5.95 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk
Mii Pro ambassador, Hayley McColm, takes inspiration from Pantone’s Color of the Year for this French mani, using Mii Statement Gel Polish in Showtime.
Mii Statement Gel Polish in Showtime
£15.50 + VAT www.gerrardinternational.com
Guest editor, Danny Haile, comments: “It’s a big year for statement nails, and trending styles include bold prints and pops of rich colour, as well as animal print, negative space nail art and true red manicures.”
3 BALLETCORE
Unveiled as a top nail trend for 2024, the pastel pink styling of balletcore makes it an apt look for spring/summer – as does the unwavering popularity of bow styling. The trend aligns with romantic coquettecore styling, which comprises lace, bows, pearls and hearts.
“Balletcore is all about soft pinks, bow details and silky finishes,” comments Hayley McColm, Mii Pro ambassador. “For a minimalist balletcore design, opt Hayley McColm for a micro-French manicure with a bow accent nail.”
The Manicure Company Gel Polish in Iconic
£8.72 inc VAT www.themanicurecompany.com
Glitterbels Hema-Free Builder-bel Gel in My Annabel
£16.99 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com
Glitterbels co-founder, Annabel Maginnis, adds 3D bows to a base of Glitterbels Builder-bel Gel in My Annabel.
Beth Buckley of Sassy Nails, Kidderminster, created this balletcore French nail style, complete with ribbon and pearl details. Scan below for a step-by-step
Bows seen at London Fashion Week spring/ summer 2024, on the nails of Sinead Gorey models – courtesy of Ella Vivii using CNDTM .
Entity Color Couture Gel-Lacquer in How Adorable Am I?
£4.95 + VAT/RRP £9.95 www.beautybossherquarters.co.uk
Hara Gel Polish in Promised Heart
£6.50 + VAT www.astonandfincher.co.uk
Taking inspiration from @sansungnails, @nailvaultbyaleksa paints bows atop glittering nail bases.
Light Elegance Buttercream in Flower Power
£17.95 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk
4 MOB WIFE AESTHETIC
“While the ‘clean girl aesthetic’ and love for minimalist, barely-there looks remains prominent, we are seeing the adoption of the ‘mob wife aesthetic’, which consists of bold animal prints and maximalist luxury,” notes Jaz Moger. “I believe clients will either transfer this styling to nails, or keep nails paired back and let their outfits do the talking.”
“The mob wife trend has captivated clients and the Glitterbels team, as a complete deviation from minimalist styling. Cheetah print art, cherry red hues and molten metal effects will feature on nails as part of the craze,” comment Annabel Maginnis, co-founder of Glitterbels, and Ebony Shepherd, social media manager for the brand.
Trend expert & founder of the Wethrift e-commerce platform, Nick Drewe, adds: “The trend is inspired by the fashion and attitude associated with female figures within organised crime families. The essence of the mob wife aesthetic is to be bold and ostentatious, while staying ultra-glamorous. ”
Ebony Shepherd & Annabel Maginnis
Nick Drewe
CND Shellac
TM in Char-truth
£14.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com
Paiwa Drew (@paiwaloves) makes black leopard print art stand out with a shimmering cat eye base.
When Blake Lively attended the Michael Kors NewYorkFashion Week show in February, Elle Gerstein (@enamelle) created a mob wife-inspired alternative French manicure to match the celeb’s giraffe print outfit. She used PLA Gel Polish in Spice, Spice, Baby and blooming gel.
Aberdeen-based tech, @jaw.drop.nails, gives the mob wife aesthetic a French makeover and adds red embellishments and hearts to nails.
@nadiasbeautybox showcases The GelBottle Inc’s Candy gel polish shade on long almond nails.
Glitterbels Unbelievabel Gel in Ruby
£9.95 + VAT www.glitterbels.com
Light Elegance Glitter Gel in Good Vibrations
£14.95 + VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk
The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Candy
£14.50 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com
Gelish Art Form Gel in Essential Black
£9.99 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.ukwww.salon-services.com
In Pantone’s Fashion Colour Trend Report for London Fashion Week spring 2024, ‘fiery and impassioned red’, Fiesta, was noted as a key colour, nodding to the mob wife aesthetic.
5 ELEVATED ART
For spring/summer 2024, classic patterns are getting a playful makeover. “Florals aren’t new for spring, but they’ve been taken in a different direction in the fashion world, such as with the addition of 3D motifs and roses on the Alexander McQueen and Balmain runways,” says Holly Morris-Last. “I anticipate this will translate to nail looks.”
Iram Shelton
It’s not just floral patterns that will receive exciting alternatives, says OPI global ambassador, Iram Shelton. “Animal prints are trending, but expect to see colourful and fun variations of these styles.”
A romantic rose nail design by Holly Morris-Last using INK London products.
CND Vinylux
TM in Chic-a-delic
£5.95 + VAT/RRP £13.95 www.sweetsquared.com
Florals feature throughout Simone Rocha’s SS24 clothing collection, and nails were styled to suit at its London Fashion Week showcase, courtesy of Ama Quashie and her team.
Entity Color Couture Soak Off Gel in So Kawaii
£10.95 + VAT www.beautybossherquarters.co.uk
Dayle McLeod of @daylemcleodbeauty paints abstract swirls A Gem £11.95 + VAT. of cow print and colour to create a mood-boosting mani.
Salon System Gellux Gel Polish in Jade’s Available via wholesalers nationwide.
Aberdeenshire tech, @thenailwifie, uses a rainbow of bold hues to elevate leopard print styling.
6 NEGATIVE SPACE
Spotted on the fingertips of celebrities including Margot Robbie, this versatile style can be personalised to each client and adds an exciting and sleek artistic twist to a nail look. “Negative space nails are suited to those who don’t want a lot of colour on nails, but still seek a nod to spring/summer shades,” notes Iram Shelton.
The Andreia Professional team crafted this minimalist half-moon French manicure, using shades from the brand’s Best Of gel polish collection.
Palette London’s Watercolour Palette of nail paints features in this spring-ready negative space look by @nailperfectionbynatalie.
Negative space nails at PRISCAVera’s New York Fashion Week SS24 show by Sojin Oh of @sojinails.
Palette London Nail Paint in Blue Macaron
£8 inc VAT www.palettelondon.com
OPI Infinite Shine Lacquer in Get in Lime
£8.90 + VAT/RRP £17.50 www.opi.com
Andreia Professional Gel Polish in Sweet Summer
£POA www.nailitlikeapro.com
“I’ve noticed more clients opting for lacquer or gel-like polishes, so I predict that OPI Infinite Shine is going to be a huge hit this season,” says Iram Shelton.
STEP-BY-STEP
Christine Doan (@glosshouse), uses the OPI Your Way collection to create a limecore look.
Step 1 Apply a swoosh of OPI Infinite Shine Lacquer in Get in Lime across the base of the 2 nail and down one side. Allow to dry for up to two minutes.
Step 2 Apply a coat of Infinite Shine Lacquer in Pearlcore to the nail. Allow to dry for up to two minutes.
Step 3 Use a detail or liner brush and Infinite Shine Lacquer in First Class Tix to outline the inside of the swoosh, varying the line’s thickness. Allow to dry. Apply a coat of Infinite Shine Gloss Top Coat and allow to dry. Apply ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil to each nail and massage in.
7 DAZZLING FINISHES
Eye-catching nail effects have been trending for some time – but don’t assume they’re going anywhere, as fun finishes like chrome, cat eye and velvet are here to stay. This is not only evidenced by clients’ love for them, but by spring/summer 2024 product releases. “The glazed effect will be in full force this season, so expect to see the layering of shimmers and chromes to create different nail finishes,” shares Iram Shelton.
Annabel Maginnis and Ebony Shepherd add: “Bringing glistening effects to seasonal shades, clients will be opting for iridescent glitters over bold and bright nail colours for SS24.”
Kirsty Meakin Liquid Chrome in Chromatic
£14.99 + VAT www.kirstymeakin.com
The GelBottle Inc Gel Polish in Lush Cat-Eye
£16.50 + VAT www.thegelbottle.com
New York’s @nailsbylauren.o mixes the cat eye and chrome trends, with multicoloured chrome stars atop a sparkling silver nail base.
Gelish Pure Velvet Magnet Gel in Magnetic Attraction
£16.99 + VAT www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.ukwww.salon-services.com
Zero Gel Polish in Casual Peach
£11.50 inc VAT www.themanicurecompany.com
Artistic Flash Glitter Soak Off Gel Polish in Statement Maker
£9.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com
INK London iLac Gel Polish in Melusine
£10 + VAT www.inknails.com
Lecenté Magnetic Powder in Laser Beam
£8.99 + VAT www.lecente.com
Promotional pointer “Post clear, high-quality images of your SS24 nail designs on social media. Make sure you utilise natural lighting, have a clean background and the nails are the focus at all times, with hands accessorised using rings and bracelets,” recommend Annabel Maginnis and Ebony Shepherd.
Halo Gel Polish in Melody
£5.95 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk
@nailsbynatasha.b used Magpie Beauty Chrome Dust to create this captivating metallic nail style.
8 AURA NAILS
Auras, or energy fields, are said to surround beings and reflect their spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing, with different aura colours associated with various qualities and emotions. With wellness an increasing societal focus (a concept titled Neuro-Glow by market analysis company, Mintel – defined as ‘mind-body beauty, where mental wellbeing and physical appearance are interconnected’), it’s not surprising that clients are seeking to bring good energy to nails and impact their wellness through colour. What’s more, aura nail styling is versatile, playful and can be created using popular blooming gel, ombré or airbrushing techniques.
Paris’ @mytype.nails frames different auras on each nail for a mesmerising mix and match style, inspired by @madrinails.
OPI GelColor in Without A Pout
£19.90 + VAT www.opi.com
AURA COLOURS AND THEIR MEANINGS
Red: power and passion.
Orange: creativity and adventure.
Yellow: charisma and confidence.
Green: compassion and growth.
Pink: love and sensitivity.
Blue: calmness.
Purple: intuition.
White: purity and wisdom.
Black: negativity.
At MARRKNULL’s London Fashion Week SS24 showcase, Anh Hoang led nail looks, which included airbrushed aura art on extreme stiletto tips.
Striking red aura orbs catch attention, courtesy of Daisy of @lilflowernails.
CND Shellac™ in Hippieocracy
£14.95 + VAT www.sweetsquared.com
Kirsty Meakin Abba Dabba Brush
£6.99 + VAT www.kirstymeakin.com
9 MONOCHROME
“Black and white were popular colour choices on spring/summer 2024 catwalks, and this will influence muted, stripped back tones making an appearance on nails,” says Holly Morris-Last. While monochrome might not seem suited to the traditional bright shades associated with spring and summer, it can provide an elegant, modern feel to seasonal styles. It is also ideal for clients who want nail art but don’t like bold colour, or those who require a design to suit a range of outfits.
Florals for spring? It’s pretty ground-breaking in monochrome, as shown by Glossify brand associate, Charlotte Herberts of @beautyspace_charlotte.
Leeds-based @evilstudios.isla creates an on-trend mix and match manicure using black and white shades and 3D additions.
Glitterbels Core Acrylic Powder in Snowdrops White
£11.88 inc VAT www.glitterbels.com
Halo Gel Polish in French White
£5.95 + VAT www.purenails.co.uk
Monochrome nail looks matched outfits on the Edward Crutchley LondonFashion Week SS24 runway. They were led by Marie-Louise Coster, who used Light Elegance Gel Paints. Check out a step-by-step guide to one of the styles
French tips get an abstract, monochrome makeover, courtesy of Philadelphia nail tech, @neera_nailedit.
Promotional pointer “Experiment with SS24 designs on your nails, and take lots of pictures and videos for social media. Show these to your clients in-person, too, to highlight what you can offer,” advises Jaz Moger.
Light Elegance Gel Paint in Primary Black
£13.95 +VAT www.lightelegance.co.uk