It’s freezing cold in Australia, but the thought that spring is only a month away is warming us. That means we’re already dreaming of fluffy summer dresses, checking out summery hairstyles, bulk-buying fake tan, and of course, considering nail trends. Nails are always at the top of our list; they can brighten up even the most boring outfit and are one of the easiest ways to accessorize. Luckily, experts say there are some amazing nail trends set to emerge this summer.
Victoria Howlis, owner of Sydney-based nail salon Mannequin Hands, says 2024 will see several new trends emerge, influenced by everything from summer to the economy. She says Charli XCX’s global popularity has definitely translated to salons, with clients discovering new nail colors they love, a trend that’s likely to carry through to the Australian summer. “We’re seeing more and more people looking for that perfect neon green shade,” she tells ELLE. “No matter the season, people usually want to brighten up their day with their nails.”
But jewel tones will have a moment of fashion for those looking for more sophisticated, wearable colours that have a bold effect but are comfortable to wear. “Given the state of the economy, people are looking for things that will last, which means more nudes, but we’ll also see jewel tones, lots of navies, emeralds and crimsons in the summer.”
What about chrome nails? A hugely popular trend over the past few years, chrome shows no signs of slowing down, but more wearable versions of the trend are popping up, from nude chrome to “magnetic nails,” Howris says. “Magnetic nails are a great alternative to chrome for people who work with their hands and whose top coat peels off.”
Finally, it seems we want a sensory experience from our nails. One of the strangest trends, “junk nails,” is proving to be a big hit this summer. The all-out maximalist trend includes everything from earrings to Hello Kitty jewelry, with a mix-and-match style across nails. “Variety keeps people from getting bored and goes with any outfit.” So layer up on the charms and throw on a sundress. These are the best nail trends for summer 2024.
Best Summer Nail Trends for 2024
Neon Green:
Will Brat Summer last into Australian summer? We don’t know, but the neon green trend isn’t going away. It’s the perfect way to spice up your look, and it’s a style that’s easy to achieve at home. For an affordable brat-inspired manicure, we recommend Sephora Collection Nail Polish Lime Zest ($12).
Jewel Tones:
(Credit: Instagram: @mannequinhands)
Like fingertip jewelry, jewel-toned nails, especially the ones accented with inlays here, are a beautiful way to add personality to your fingertips. As Houllis says, the darker shades are more wearable, yet still vibrant. I love the slightly mix-and-match feel of this set. Also available at home, Chanel Le Vernis Nail Color 183 Reveuse ($48) comes in the same gold leaf green chrome finish.
Magnetic Gel Nails:
(Credit: Instagram: @polishedinportland)
For those who love chrome nails but find their nails chip, magnetic gel nails are a great alternative and are increasingly being requested by Hauris’ clients. Witchy magnetic nails, also known as cat-eye or velvet nails, use magnets. The gel nails contain nail polish that is full of magnetic glitter. Once the polish has hardened, place a magnet on your fingertip to make the glitter pop out, creating a mesmerizing textured effect. Opt for the seafoam green magnetic nails and you’ll feel like you’re looking through clear water. For a similar effect without a trip to the salon, apply OPI Mint Condition in Infinite Shine ($24.95) with a high-glitter sheer top coat like Suncatcher in Kester Black or Iridescent White ($22).
Nude nails (with a twist):
(Credit: Instagram: @nailsbyzola)
Nude nails never go out of style, and as Hauris points out, more muted tones of polish are on trend this year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with a nude manicure. As we saw with the neutral chrome polish, with just a few tweaks, a classic style can become totally eye-catching. Take inspiration from the “junk nails” trend (more on that below) and add a touch of glamour or detail to your classic nude. We love how Hailey Bieber’s manicurist, Zola Ganzoligt, added a single fleur-de-lis to this simple almond-shaped manicure.
Junk Nails:
Want to express yourself through your nails? Artists like Chapel Roan and Charli XCX are inspiring a shift away from understated luxury and towards some much-needed beauty maximalism in 2024. Junk nails are perhaps the ultimate embodiment of this, having taken TikTok by storm with hashtags like “how to do junk nails,” “get junk nails,” and “junk nails with charm,” garnering tens of millions of mentions on the app.
(Credit: Instagram: @naildbyjasmine) (Credit: Instagram: @nailss_byjade)
They may look chaotic at first glance, but Olympic athlete (and It girl) Sha’Carey Richardson modeled it and convinced us: The beauty of junk nails is that they can go any direction you want, and they’re surprisingly easy to achieve at home (though having them done professionally may prolong their appeal).
One way to make it more comfortable is to focus on one accent nail, like in the example above. Keep the “junk” layered on one finger for a clean, eye-catching look, or go all out with glitter and embrace the chaos. To try this look at home, grab a box of charms on Amazon and get going. This 3D butterfly and white flower ($18.99) themed set has everything you need.
3D Nail
(Credit: Instagram: @overglowedit)
Howris says customers still prefer nails that offer a sensory experience. If you’re not yet on board with the junkyard nail trend, 3D nails are your best bet. We love this mouthwatering citrus set by creator Melanie Graves.
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Ruby Fennelly
