12 of the Biggest Manicure Trends 2022 – One of the fastest-growing niches within the beauty industry is nail art. Traditionally, nail art was reserved for full sets of acrylics at the local nail salons. However, this is no longer the case; it is quickly becoming more and more accessible, with nail inspo accounts are dominating social media. Taking the time to do or have a manicure is a great self-care practice, so if you are looking for some ideas to get you started on your nail art journey, then keep reading for the biggest nail trends of the year.
Preface
Nail art is increasingly popular, as is DIY manicures; a lot of people are committing to learning how to do their nails at home. Manicures a more than simply painting your nails, although that is an important part. Press-on nails, nail extensions and building gel are all seeing a rise in amateur use too. The truth is that being your own manicurist is more accessible than it has ever been; thanks to social media, people can learn via video tutorials. However, before you can get started, you need the equipment, and you need to use a reputable brand like Mylee to ensure that your equipment is of good quality; otherwise, you are not likely to succeed in your manicurist efforts.
Neutrals
You can never go wrong with a neutral, they are entirely unoffensive, but they also aren’t necessarily seen as ground-breaking either. The truth is that neutrals are timelessly elegant. Choose a nude or neutral that compliments your skin tone well. Neutrals work for everyone regardless of age or personal style.
French Tips with a Twist
Again, a French manicure isn’t anything new, but this year sees a new approach to an old classic. Firstly, the micro-French manicure, the side tip and wavy tips too. There are a lot of fun, quirky variations to try out, and if you want to try this one at home, you can pick a style that doesn’t need a steady hand, like the wavy tip. You also don’t have to stick to the traditional colours either, you can choose any colour for the tips, or if you want to be a little bolder, then you could go for a rainbow effect with different colours on each nail.
Subtle Nail Art
Nail art can be hard to pull off, especially to start with, in terms of both technique and wearability. Therefore, micro nail art is set to take off this year. Small pieces of nail art like hearts or stars are a great way to add a bit of pizazz to a manicure. You can use nail stickers or nail art tools to create the looks. They are easier than they look.
Colour Watch: Blue
2021 saw a lot of greens, but this year the trends have shifted to blue. In fact, Pantone’s colour of the year for 2022 is a shade called Very Peri, which is a shade of blue. The blues can be incorporated as part of the design or worn by itself. The hues are likely to change with the seasons. Denim tones are set to be popular for spring, pastels and bold, bright shades for summer, royal blue for autumn and navy for winter. An ombre design is a great way to combine the different hues.
Animal Prints
Before you make any hasty judgements, animal prints can be done in a chic way. A lot of people tend to think of animal prints as tacky, but that simply is not the case anymore. So instead of going overboard, pare it back and start by incorporating the design on an accent nail. Both zebra and cow print designs have had a moment in the last year with no signs of slowing down.
Be Bold
Arguably one of the biggest trends of the year is simply a continuation of creativity within nail art. As more and more people pick up nail art as a hobby, it is going to have an influence on the types of designs seen on those who get their nails done professionally too. The art is going to get bolder and more daring, too. Whether abstract or realistic, the possibilities are truly endless.
Fake Nails
Acrylic nails are incredibly popular, they last for ages, and if your natural nails are short, then they are a great option. However, they can also be pricey. As a happy medium, there is fake nails or press-on nails as they are sometimes called. You can pick them up relatively cheaply, or you can order a custom set from nail artists online, although they are obviously a little more expensive. Press-on nails also provide you with a great way to practice your nail art before you do it on yourself.
Nature-Inspired
Natural elements and materials are set to be a big trend this year all across the beauty industry. More and more nail artists are finding ways to incorporate nature into their designs. They range in difficulty from creating landscapes on your nails to turning your nails into geodes to using flower decals and even petals in your nail art. Nature-inspired nails do open up the realms of possibility, but they can be tricky to pull off; they often require a higher level of skill.
Minimalism
Another nail art trend for the year is minimalism. Subtle and elegant designs are set to reign supreme. The art itself is often abstract, compromised of simply a few lines or squiggles of nail polish. The background is often neutral because this allows the design to stand out more and to speak for itself. Arguably minimalism offers a different way to approach the other trends; for example, you could combine a neutral background with a blue nail art design to incorporate more of the trendiest elements of this year.
Coffin vs Almond
Nail shapes are typically either round, square, stiletto, almond or coffin. The trends do shift; in the early noughties, square nails were all the rage, and in the mid-twenty-tens, stiletto nails had their moment. However, for this year, it is hard to predict. There is likely going to be an even split between coffin and almond-shaped nails. Both of which are sleeker than their square and round counterparts.
Colour Watch: Black
Another colour that is likely to be popular this year is black. It is a classic colour that goes with literally everything. You can go for a block colour and make an impact with your elegant yet bold choice. You can also incorporate black into your nail designs to make them stand out more. Word of warning, black French tip nails can work but often, your nails simply look dirty, so bear that in mind when trying to combine trends.
Decals & Nail Stickers
To make nail art more accessible, decals and nail stickers were invented. However, recently they have improved and evolved. You can now find sturdier nail stickers that last longer and completely remove the need to open the nail polish at all. They make nail art easier, and most of the time, they aren’t obvious to observers either.
The Bottom Line
Nail art is just one way for you to express yourself through your appearance, and you don’t necessarily have to follow the trends if you don’t want to. Although the above are the trends that are set to take over the nail art community this year, you can make them your own and put your own twist on them. It is worth pointing out that nail art can be for anyone and everyone who feels comfortable expressing themselves in that way, so don’t be put off.
Poppy Watt