Open this before your next nail appointment.
Whoever said getting your nails done is relaxing hasn’t spent 15 minutes panic-flipping through a keychain of acrylic nail colors, trying to decide whether to settle on a simple bubble gum pink or opting for a full-on design.
If you’re anything like ELLE.com’s beauty editors, your Instagram bookmarks are chock full of nail inspo. Whether you want some nail art inspiration or to simply know the latest nail color trends, another place to look is the fashion week runways. A crystal ball of trends, the spring/summer 2024 runways were inundated with nail art that focused on the feminine, drawing inspiration from the viral balletcore trend seen all over the runways. Classic styles, like the French manicure, got a modern update with chrome detailing and silver chrome nails, which are currently trending for fall/winter ’23 (you can thank Beyoncé and the Renaissance Tour) and will continue to trend into the new year. Logomania has yet to die down, stiletto and coffin lengths are only getting longer and more intricate, and thanks to the “clean girl” movement, short nails continue to reign supreme.
We caught up with Natalie Minerva, celebrity nail artist and OPI Global Ambassador, to talk about all the spring/summer 2024 trends we loved on the fashion week runways. Ahead, discover the nine best nail trends we’ll be seeing this spring and summer.
1
LONG NAILS
Clean, minimalist nails will always be in, but stiletto nails haven’t lost their edge. It isn’t a Blonds party without towering, intricate tips to accentuate the sultry, spunky looks on the runway. For its spring/summer 2024 show (pictured here), models rocked pointed crystal-encrusted stiletto tips to add another layer of depth to the moody, dark makeup.
2
Priscavera
For Priscavera’s nail designs, everything was chrome. Key nail artist Sonji curated 30 chrome looks for the show, from metallic green to bronze gold to clear with 3D adornments.
3
THE NAME GAME
Helmut Lang played scrabble with nail art for Peter Do’s runway debut as the new Creative Director. A simple clear manicure spelled out H-E-L-M-U-T L-A-N-G in black font, a refreshing take from the logomania of past seasons. We have all the details, here.
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4
KATE SPADE
If Scrabble isn’t quite your thing, go for the logo to spell out the love for your favorite brand. Celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec hand painted the Kate Spade dot noel monogram on nails and gave the logomania trend an update by finishing it off with a black, skinny french design.
5
SKINNY FRENCH
Skinny jeans may be out, but skinny french manicures are in. A thin line turns this barely there manicure into Parisian chic.
6
ALICE + OLIVIA
Remember when colorful french manicures were the summer must-have nails? It applies to the skinny french trend, too! This red, skinny french manicure goes perfectly with a classic red lip.
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7
GO CHROME
Chrome nails are currently trending (thanks, Beyoncé) and do not seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. “This trend will definitely dip into Spring/Summer—it’s applicable yar-round in my opinion,” says Minerva.
8
PRABAL GURUNG
“3D lined chrome French nails, like the ones we saw at Parabal Gurung, will be a big trend for Spring/Summer ’24,” shares Minerva. “We love a futuristic French,” she exclaims.
9
BALLETCORE
Balletcore beauty gets an update at Mirror Palais with this pink, pearly chrome version. “Pink pearl is always a refreshing look that combines a nostalgic touch on a new modern classic,” says Minerva.
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10
PAT BO
If pink is not your thing, you can still get into the balletcore trend by leaning into a pearly white or vanilla chrome look.
11
BARELY THERE
No manicure, no cry. At Michael Kors, Jin Soon Choi focused more on nail health, and gave models barely there manicures with light pink polish.
12
PROENZA SCHOULER
Proenza Schouler had models walk down the runway with short, clean, manicured nails. Mani minimalism at its finest!
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13
JASON WU
Negative space will have a positive impact on manicure trends for Spring/Summer ’24 and is a fun way to have a minimalist manicure, but still play up design. “Simple lines and dots in black kept this manicure so simple and yet so impactful,” says Minerva.
14
FEMININE TOUCH
“For Spring Summer ’24, expect to see lots of shimmers that evoke a dreamy feeling like frosted chromes, baby pink shimmers, and sheer milky lavenders,” says Minerva.
15
WHITE OUT
Saweetie once sang, “Ten white toes, I'm always tip top;” however, at Alice + Olivia, that monochromatic minimalist energy was invested in the nails.
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16
LIBERTINE
White nails were spotted on models at Libertine and is the perfect option for your clean girl aesthetic.
17
RED-Y FOR SHORT NAILS
I will keep it short and sweet—go short and red for Spring 2024. Red nails are a classic and often showcased on long nails, but Proenza Schouler reminds us how great the color looks on short, manicured nails.
18
BRANDON MAXWELL
Classic red nails always look sexy, no matter the nail length, as proven backstage at Brandon Maxwell.
