The 2024 nail trends that you'll be seeing a whole lot of

Want to know what the 2024 nail trends have in store for us? You've come to the right place. We called upon the best nail artists to weigh in on what's hot heading into the new year. For starters, we'll be building on some of the trends that made headway in 2023. Chrome is doubling down even harder with an all-over finish in even more eye-catching shades. Nail's will be treated like jewellery with 3D accents and teensy gems applied to take them to another level. Fashion's stand-out shade (red) is having its own beauty revival and TikTok's breakout aesthetics (see: balletcore) has crowned a whole side-hustle nail movement.

These are the 2024 nail trends you're about to see a whole lot more of…

Red revival

Red nails are not new. In fact, red nails are the OG nail trend with over a hundred years of history, but after arguable taking a back seat for the past few years, they're set to take centre stage once again with a modern revival in 2024 after the shade was seen all over the fashion runways and the tips of top celebrities. “I feel like red nails are coming into a chic era at the moment,” confirms celebrity manicurist, Michelle Humphrey, who counts Dua Lipa and Adele as clients. “Less is more and what better way to sex up a look than a statement red nail – as seen on the catwalk for SS24 at Proenza Schouler and Brandon Maxwell,” she says.

“Red is having a big moment with Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez recently repping the shade,” agrees A-list manicurist, and senior Mylee ambassador, Tinu Bello. "It works perfectly for all seasons, as it's so timeless. Deep cherry and merlot reds will be hot as we come into 2024, with tomato and post box reds dominating the summer months. I think we will see some elevation to our red mani’s in 2024, with chrome, glazes, matte finishes, and high sheen. My all-time favourite red is Mylee ‘As red as It Gets’, says Tinu. Meanwhile we'll see dinky spin-offs, too. "Imagine how gorgeous a red skinny French will look, says top nail artist, Harriet Westmoreland who favours the shades Candy, Velvet Red and Cinnamon Spice. from The Gelbottle.

Balletcore

The balletcore aesthetic grew even bigger over 2023, bringing with it soft pinks, bow details and silky finishes, and its set to continue into 2024. “If 2023 was all about Barbiecore, 2024 takes it to Balletcore," confirms Tinu. “Think subtle and creamy pinks, frosted nudes, and milky whites in short, clean shapes,” she says.

Michelle agrees. “Balletcore nails are the easiest trend to wear, they suit every skin tone and they don't show up much if you get a chip,” she says. “It includes every shade of sheer pink, but my all time favourites include Essie Sugar Daddy and Mademoiselle,” she adds, before pointing out that celebrity fans of this look include Dua Lipa, Georgia May Jagger and Charli XCX.

But beyond a pretty ballet pink base, this trend has room for some personalisation. “We will see an upgrade to the trend in 2024, with baroque embellishments, a glazed finish, and tiny adornments like bows, flowers, and gems,” says Tinu. We especially love glazed finish that nods to the silky pink of ballet slippers.

Drippy chrome

For the maximalists, chrome is about to get a lot louder. “Chromes are huge now and they aren’t going anywhere,” notes pro nail artist and OPI ambassador, Iram Shelton.

“We've seen chrome accents take hold in 2023, but 2024 will take it a step further,” agrees Tinu who predicts we'll see “full 3D chrome manicures, particularly in silver, on a dark base. You can add dimension by playing with nail art to create texture,” she says. “Dripping lava style chrome that snakes across the nail will be particularly hot,” she says. Just ask celeb fan, Megan Fox. “In the salon, ask for 3D chrome flames,” says Tinu.

American manicure

The French manicure has cemented its top tier status, but a throwback rendition is newly making waves. “I'm getting regular requests for the American manicure, which is a nostalgic trend from the '90's and '00s eras,” reveals Michelle. “It's the softer, more natural version of a French mani, created with a soft white tip instead of bright white,” she says.

“Personally, I predict that the American manicure is going to make a comeback,” concurs Harriet. She likes to create it with a true sheer pink gloss on the base “no milky hues at all. This is flattering for all skin tones and nail types,” she says.

Browns

Brown was the surprise mani shade of autumn-winter after latte nails morphed into mocha nails, but the neutral is set to stay with us, offering us a chic, simple shade into 2024. “Brown has been one of my most requested shades this year with it being the most elegant of neutral tones,” confirms Michlle. If you want to move away from cosier shades, we'll see cool-toned trench shades and almond enter the mix, but chocolate milk nails, in particular, will headline, according to the experts at Beauty Pie who crunched numbers. Chocolate milk nails have seen a 1,350% rise in Google searches, compared to six months ago, they say, making it the trend to watch. “As we see more browns, beiges and creams creping into every influencer's wardrobe, what better way to compliment those tones than a deliciously chocolatey mani? The key to getting the look is to opt for a creamy-based lacquer, rather than a very dark brown, to get the softer finish we’re seeing all over TikTok,”

3D nails

We've said it for a few years running, but 3D nails is going mainstream. They're the best way to add an intriguing twist to your nail art and they work well with other trends, like chrome. “The technology to create 3D nails has evolved so much in the last year and become accessible to all nail pros (not just those that can use acrylic), this still feels new within industry and people are still experimenting like crazy with these fab new products,” reveals Michelle.

Animal print

Craving some proper nail art? Animal print is the way forward. “Who doesn’t love an animal print?” asks Iram. “Nail prints will be in and will be the new go to. Celebs are already rocking these looks. Hailey beiber is always onto something,” she points out, after Hailey gave us croc print last year.

Rhinestone cowgirl

If you're in between a minimalist and a maximalist, the rhinestone cowgirl might be for you, reckons Michelle. “Simplistic application of rhinestones is going to come back for next year, as seen at Eudon Choi,” she says. “Simply apply a dot of nail glue (less is more) and apply a single, chic rhinestone to the nail, then encapsulate it with top coat to ensure adhesion. It works well over neutral tones, like nudes and black,” she adds.

Lavender glow

Want to remix pastels with a cute update? Try lavender glow. “This trend dominated in 2023 and it looks like they’re here to stay,” reckon the experts at Beauty Pie. “The lavender chrome look goes beyond the typical pink pearl finish to give you mani that ethereal look,” they say. For an at-home version we love Nails Inc's Eco Glow Plant Power Vegan Nail Polish.

At-home artistry

Thanks to TikTok, the insider nail technique intel that's available to us is better than ever. Likewise, at-home kits and innovations are changing the game. So, we'll be seeing more people taking their mani in-house. “People are returning to nail lacquer and press ons,” confirms Iram. “With the cost of living crisis, people are choosing to do their own nails, and with so many gel-like manicures available to purchase in a box (aka press ons) why wouldn’t you,” she says. This year we saw top nail artists, KimKim (who works with Kim Kardashian, Kerry Washington and Kylie Jenner) team up with Lottie London on a pro collection of press-ons. Meanwhile, brands like KISS are continually innovating.

“Lacquers are also a lot easier to apply and remove at home and are always a cheaper option,” Iram points out. “So many brands have come out with nail stickers and I think it’s just an easy and quick way to level up your nail game. From beginners to pros we’ll be seeing the use of stickers,” she adds. For this, we love Ciate's Cheat Sheets.

Short and squoval

Finally, although long almond nail shapes will continue to offer elegance, practicality is making a comeback with shorter nails recruiting fans. “A lot of my A list clients have been opting for shorter nails over the past few months,” reveals Michelle. “I predict this low maintenance length will move into next year. Short and sweet,” she says.

“I think the long almond or short square (or soft square) nails are the most popular shapes and I reckon it’s going to stay this way. They’re the most flattering nail shapes in my opinion and most people can pull off one or the other,” agrees Iram. “My personal preference is short because it’s more practical and gives that clean, old money look. They’re also so much easier to maintain and more achievable for those who don’t like nail enhancements,” she says. Speaking of soft-square nails. “I'm also getting requests for squoval nails which is a shape very nostalgic '00s shape – think straight sides and a rounded top of the nail,” says Michelle.

For more from GLAMOUR's Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk