Get your camera ready to showcase these stylish nail looks.
November 21, 2022
One quick scroll through Pinterest or Instagram and you’re sure to come across some trendy acrylic nails. Social media is a useful way to get the scoop on what’s creating buzz in the world of manicures, which is why most of us would like to create some noise of our own with trendy cute acrylic nails. But if you don’t know where to start, let this be your guide to 10 trendy acrylic designs.
1. French Ombré Nails
This optical illusion design is super popular on TikTok right now, but while it looks like a style that only a seasoned nail tech could do, it’s actually a lot simpler than you think once you break down the steps.
First, choose two shades of the same color, one lighter and one darker, and apply the lightest shade as your base color. After that, paint the two polishes side-by-side onto a makeup sponge and press the sponge onto your nail.
Then, create a French tip by drawing a crescent shape on the top part of your nail. Use the light shade for one half of the crescent, and the darker shade for the other half. Next, apply the polish to the sponge and blend on the top part of your nail to create the ombré French tip.
2. Black French Tips
The modern French manicure is trendy as it is, but switching things up with black tips adds an edgy, rocker-chic vibe into the mix. Paint your nails with a sheer nude nail polish. Apply a piece of tape or French manicure tip guide (a packaged guide sticker to help with French tip nails) to your nails. Swipe two layers of black nail polish onto your tips. Once the polish dry, remove the guides to reveal your black French tips.
3. Snake Nails
Another option if you want edgy and trendy acrylic nails is snake nails. There are two ways to rock this look: either snakeskin print nails or by painting a slithering reptile making its way across your entire manicure. You can bring this trendy acrylic nail design to life by first painting your nails white. Then, you’ll need to embrace your artistic skills and use a small nail art brush to paint your snake. Paint a squiggle across your nails in your color of choice, then add eyes and a small tongue to make the snake.
4. Baby Blue Acrylic Nails
Whether you’re looking for inspiration for winter or looking forward to trendy summer acrylic nails, baby blue is an evergreen shade that works all year round. The pastel shade will let you play with color without going too bold. Simply apply two to three coats of your favorite baby blue nail polish and smooth on a top coat to increase the lifespan of your look. The color also works well with holiday nail designs.
5. Sheer Tips
If you consider yourself a minimalist, this manicure option is for you. The idea is exactly what it sounds like: a sheer polish that shows your tips through a few coats. Think jelly nails but with a more neutral color palette. To try the look yourself, reach for a sheer or jelly nail polish in a neutral shade like baby pink or tan. Swipe on a few coats, then seal your manicure with a top coat.
6. Holographic Nails
As far as trendy acrylic nails go, holographic nail polish is still at the top of the list, and it’s pretty simple to get the look at home. Simply use a holographic polish to paint your nails, then apply a shiny top coat to finish.
7. Gold French Tips
This look adds a seriously luxe touch to a traditional French manicure, especially for the holiday season. To get the look, first apply a nude base coat. Once it’s dry, place tape or French manicure tip guides onto your nails and paint your tips with a metallic gold polish. After the gold polish has dried, remove your guides and swipe on a top coat.
8. Milky White Nails
This look falls somewhere between sheer and opaque white nails. The result is trendy yet minimalistic. Start by applying one coat of nude nail polish to each of your nails, then create the milky look by applying that same nude nail polish to the edge of a makeup sponge and white nail polish just below it.
Then, press the edge of the sponge onto your nail just slightly away from the cuticle. The result should be a gradient effect transitioning from nude to white.
9. Hole Punch Nails
Hole punch nail art lets you get creative with different shapes for trendy acrylic nails that reflect your personal style. Use a hole punch in your shape of choice to create a design at the tip of your acrylics (not your natural nails), then paint them in your color of choice.
10. Reverse French Tip Nails
Just like the name suggests, you’re going to do the same steps as a regular French tip, but in reverse. Apply your base color, then take some tape or French manicure guides onto your nails (you can even try it freehand) and paint a half moon on the bottom of your nails.
Next: How to Safely Remove Acrylic Nails at Home
Edited by: Témi Adebowale, Photo Credit: Nail Lux by Giu, IG /@nail_lux_bygiu, Photo Design: Sarah Duvivier
