Nail trends move fast. Here are the 5 styles our clients can't stop requesting this year, plus how to ask for each one next time you're in the chair, whether you're after something subtle or something that stops people in their tracks.
1. Chrome & Cat-Eye Nails
A magnetic polish pulls into a shifting line of light that moves as your hand does. It's shiny, a little futuristic, and the most-requested finish in the chair right now. Ask for Cat Eye (from $10) for the shifting-light effect, or Color Chrome (from $15) for an all-over mirror finish. Both work beautifully as a full set or as a single accent nail if you want to test the look before committing.
2. Glazed Jelly & Aura Nails
Sheer, jam-like color with a soft blurred glow at the edges. Think "glazed donut," but on your nails. Glossy, dimensional, and way easier to wear than it looks — it pairs well with any Shellac/Gel Manicure, just ask your artist for a sheer, jelly-finish color instead of a solid one. It grows out gracefully too, since there's no hard line to touch up as your nails grow.
3. Micro French Tips
The classic French manicure, shrunk down to a thin, graphic line. Clean, modern, and goes with everything, from jeans to a wedding dress. It's a simple add-on to any manicure, American/French Tips start at $5, and it works just as well on short, natural nails as it does on a longer set.
4. Quiet-Luxury Milky Nails
Bare, your-nails-but-better tones — milky pink, latte, soft beige. No loud colors, no big design. Just polished and put-together. It's an easy pick if you want your hands to look done without looking done, and it works for any occasion from the office to a wedding. It's also one of the lowest-maintenance looks on this list, since small amounts of regrowth barely show against such a soft, neutral tone.
5. Polka Dots & Microdots
Small dots over a neutral base. Playful without going overboard — an easy way to stand out without committing to a bold color. Nail art designs like this start at $10, and your artist can scale the dots up or down depending on how bold you want to go. It's an especially good option if you're new to nail art and want to test the waters before going bigger with a more detailed design.
