After chatting with nail artists backstage at New York Fashion Week, we gleaned one very important takeaway from spring 2024 nail trends. It’s “anything goes.” Indeed, we are in a beauty era where simple nail designs and the “clean girl aesthetic” coexist peacefully with goth-core matte black nails and bejeweled super-long nails. That’s why this season’s nail trends are so cool and exciting. Planning a manicure for the next few months? Keep scrolling for 7 of my favorite spring 2024 nail trends by runway.
1. Spring 2024 embossed lace nails
KASUWA lace nail sticker
KASUWA lace nail sticker
My Instagram feed is full of “naked dress” looks, but in a few months it will be all about lace nails. As seen at his Spring/Summer 2024 show at PatBO, embossed lace nails paired beautifully with all the coquette-inspired lace and crocheted garments the models wore, making this a perfect spring getaway. Perfect for getting the perfect look or pretending you’re in the Bahamas. I’m staring at another rainy day.
If you’re not familiar with using an embossing gun (who is?! No way!), disguise the look with a set of lace nail decals (see above).
2. Spring 2024 Nail Trend: Ballet Core
The gentleness of Deborah Lipman Gel Lab Pro Manicure
The gentleness of Deborah Lipman Gel Lab Pro Manicure
The clean-girl aesthetic is alive and well this spring (sorry, Yakuza Wives), with an added touch of ballet, especially on the nails. However, if you don’t want to decorate your nails with ribbons and prefer a simpler approach, just coat your entire nail with light pink polish. Minimal yet chic, it’s the perfect canvas for any outfit or makeup look.
Want to make your bare nails look even more special? Keep your hands well-moisturized (massage L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream all over your hands and apply Tenoverten Rose Cuticle Treatment to your nails) and visit the salon every few weeks for professional touch-ups.
3. French Tips for Spring 2024
Shiny nail art polish set
Shiny nail art polish set
28% off now
Nail artist Julie Kandalek debuted this floating French tip at the Staud S/S24 show. I immediately thought everyone would recreate this look with the tips extending into the nails. It’s difficult to completely reinvent the classic French tip wheel, but this one incorporates plenty of visual interest that gives the style an exciting new feel. And the best part? When it comes to color and placement, there are great options to make the set completely yours. FYI: If you’re looking to DIY at home, get a set of guides to help you get the French tips right.
4. Bright red nails for spring
Essie Gel Couture Electric Geometric Long-Lasting Manicure
Essie Gel Couture Electric Geometric Long-Lasting Manicure
Now 12% off
If the runways are any indication, the red we’ve all coveted throughout the holiday season and Valentine’s Day is especially hot in spring 2024. The Viktor & Rolf, Brandon Maxwell, and Proenza Schouler models all sported red nail polish and an all-over glossy finish to add a cherry glaze vibe to their nails. If you want a spicier, more fun look as opposed to Christmas, choose orange-based shades rather than deep blue-based reds (Essie Electric Geometric above is my favorite, but Dior 999 is always the go-to) classic red, IMO).
5. Spring 2024 long pin heel nails
Kiss long stiletto press-on nails
Kiss long stiletto press-on nails
If you’re into fancy nails, ditch your medium-length almond nails for super-long stiletto nails this season. Inject something fun and special into your look, especially after the gloomy winter season is over. What do I recommend? If you don’t want to get too picky, choose a set of press-on nails. This way, you can provide as much or as little drama and punch as you want, and then remove them when you want to do something more minimalist again.
6. Spring 2024 Nail Trends: 3D Nail Art
Orly GelFX Builder Bottle
Orly GelFX Builder Bottle
As seen on Prabal Gurung, the latest take on the chrome trend includes 3D accents that (literally) enhance the overall look. Here’s a quick tutorial to create his 3D effect on your nails using builder gel (left) if you want to try it at home. But if you want to choose an easier method, paint your nails with glossy polish and paste some nail charms on him to create a similar 3D atmosphere for him, such as bows or hearts.
7. Spring minimalist nail art
Jinsun absolute black nail polish
Jinsun absolute black nail polish
You can’t give up on nail art, but this season it’s going to be a little more abstract and subtle. At the Jason Wu show, manicurist Jin Soon Choi painted lines and dots all over the models’ nails with black nail polish, adding a layer of matte top coat for an even cooler look. However, if you want to recreate it on your own nails, experiment with the design. Feel free to refuse symmetry and order a combination of bare nails, glossy and matte looks, and simple doodles.
why trust cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette I am the beauty editor of cosmopolitan We have 5 years of experience researching, writing, and editing nail stories, from winter nail colors to dip powder nails. She’s an authority on all nail categories, but she’s also an expert when it comes to spring nail trends, researching the biggest nail trends and consulting experts.
Beth Gillette is a beauty editor. cosmopolitancovers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She is usually seen wearing bright eyeshadow and enthusiastically typing up the latest features or hemingwaying about new products she “must try.”prior to cosmopolitan, where she wrote and edited beauty content as an editor for The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram to check out her selfies of her makeup and new hairstyles she does every few months.