TIP TO TOE NAIL TRENDS

IT’S STILL SUMMERTIME! THAT MEANS CLIENTS WILL BE CLAMORING TO BEDECK THEIR TIPS AND TOES IN BRIGHT COLORS AND, OF COURSE, AMAZING NAIL ART!

When it comes to summer nails, there are always a few trends that you can absolutely count on: bright colors, adorable florals and #mermaidnails. And while this season is no different, there are always new iterations to old favorites that make this summer’s styles feel fresh and new.

Color - While we’ll never say no to neon, this year we’re seeing that brightness toning down a bit in favor of more muted hues. Pastels, while always popular for spring, are hanging on as we move into summer 2023, with matcha (or pistachio) green and vibrant lavender taking top spots on the color charts. Pink is also having a moment, from unmistakable Barbie pink (thanks to the film release this summer) to pastel tones to barely-there blush. And when we do see vibrant shades, they’re in the form of sheer jelly color, offering all the brightness while keeping a translucent quality.

Length & Shape - Whether due to all of the outdoor activities of summer or post-COVID PTSD (when clients couldn’t maintain their ultra-long nails), lengths are mostly staying conservative and wearable. And while square shapes are desperately trying to make a comeback, elegant and fingerflattering almond is still the number-one pick.

Art - In terms of on-trend nail art looks, there really is something for everyone. The ‘no nail art’ nail art trends, like glazed donut and lip gloss nails, are still super popular thanks to social media — although for summer, the glazed donut is turning into glazed cherries or glazed citrus (i.e., adding iridescent chrome powders to brighter, more summery hues). For those who like to dabble in art, dotted daisies are another big trend. Nothing fancy, quite versatile and super easy to design. Daisies created with a dotting

FOR QUICK & EASY NAIL ART

These products are great for giving big effect with little time and effort.

Blooming Gel

tool in both monochromatic and multi-hued versions are adorable and on par for summer. And of course, for those who cannot get enough on their nails, mermaid- and beach-inspired looks are still wildly popular. Perhaps because we can’t help but be wooed by the beach, or maybe because there are so many options — from simple glitter mermaid tail scales to over-the-top 3D embellishments piled high like a pirate’s treasure chest — these types of designs are always trending in summer.

Finding Inspiration - Thanks to social media, Instagram and TikTok in particular, there’s no shortage of amazing and inspirational nail art looks to get your creative juices flowing. Utilizing social media is also a great way to stay on top of burgeoning nail trends so you can be prepared when clients come in asking for them. These days, many of the most popular nail trends aren’t really anything new or particularly groundbreaking; they’re often older trends that have been made popular through a celebrity or TikTok video that gains traction. Still, it's a good idea to stay up on the subtle differences (and the names of these trends) so you can deliver them.

Of course, while you as a nail professional look to social media to get inspiration, so do your clients. This means they could pull out all kinds of nail art pictures that may or may not be in your wheelhouse. In order to prepare yourself for these situations, there are a few things you can do. First, if you feel like you’re lacking in a certain skill level, it’s always a great idea to take continuing education classes. Whether online or in-person, there are always plenty of opportunities to enhance your skill level.

For Expert Artists

These quality products give more advanced artists the pigmentation and design payoff they’re looking for:

Kolinsky Brush

Use this real kolinsky nail art brush to create aweinspiring threedimensional nail art with ultimate control.

Gel Paints

These gel paints are ultrapigmented, which means you won’t have to apply multiple coats to achieve intricate designs.

A drop of this clear gel product over Gelux gel polish can create beautiful effects, from roses to those oh-so-popular mermaid scales.

2 IN 1 DOTTING & NEEDLE

The dotting end of this tool will be a goto for all your summer daisies, cherries and polka-dot looks.

Granite Effect Top Coat

Get the look of speckled granite with just a swipe of top coat. Use it over a marbleized gel design for a true stone effect, or use it to add dimension to other types of art.

Acrylic Nail Powder Collection

Add instant eye-catching art with glitter — and who doesn’t love some sparkle?

4d Nail Plastiline

Ideal for artists who love to play with 3D looks, this thick viscosity white gel allows you to create everything from flowers to lace to shells and more!