Nail force

As we prepare for brighter days ahead, our nail experts tell us what trends we can expect to see over the coming months

Shades and shapes

“Bright and bold colours will be trending this spring/summer,” says Julie-Anne Larivière, Salon System nail expert.

“Oranges, blues and bright pinks will be popular, but muted nudes will also shine. I don’t expect a particular shape or length to be trending; instead, we’ll see a mixture of all shapes and sizes, from short square or oval, to long coffin or stiletto.

These are all very different nail styles that can suit a wide range of clients, but everything is acceptable!”

“Green hues seemed to take the crown in 2021, but in 2022 it’s all about blue,” says Victoria Trafford, CND education ambassador. “Floral patterns will be trending also, as seen on many A-listers, including Blake Lively. A floral print on a nude base is the perfect dainty look for the warmer months. When it comes to shape, short and sweet is the way to go this season. A natural shape that’s beautifully manicured will look sleek and sophisticated.”

“The Pantone Colour of the Year 2022 is Very Peri, which is a lovely shade of blue with red undertones,” says Kamile Perez, chief operations officer, EMI Distribution Ireland. “There is no doubt that this will be trending in manicures for spring and summer as it’s beautiful and super feminine. Metallics will also be big, along with Bottega green, which was popular last year too. And bright shades are not going anywhere, especially neons.”

”We all need some brightness in our lives this year, so I’m expecting a lot of vibrant shades in 2022,” says Kelly-Marie Daly, head educator, The Manicure Company. “Colours such as rich oranges, corals and lemon will all be popular. Even though there’s been a pandemic, there has never been so many different trends to keep up with; for example, clients are opting for very long nails or short natural ones.”

Twists on the traditional

“The alternative French was popular in 2021 in the form of bright, bold colours, as was the French tip flipped in a crescent shape to the bottom of the nail to create a cuff,” says Trafford. “In 2022 it’s going one step further, with the French now being taken in all directions, such as the tip being turned 90 degrees to create a side tip. Achieving that straight French line won’t be a problem this year, because anything goes with the alternative French – you could even try creating a wavy tip instead of a straight one to keep ahead of the trend.”

‘Ombré was big in 2020 and 2021, but the pandemic has also seen clients really embracing the natural nail look’

“The unconventional French manicure is everywhere now,” agrees Perez. “The half-smile line, coloured French seems to be staying with us for this year as well, as everyone can make it their own. It’s exciting to have a traditional, old school style, with a modern twist.”

“Ombré was big in 2020 and 2021, but the pandemic has also seen clients really embracing the natural nail look, mainly because it’s more low maintenance,” says Daly. “So builder bases on the natural nail, with natural colours, are still a big hit.”

Nail art

“I think we’re going to see a rise in clients asking for more complex and brighter nail art,” says Trafford. “Animal prints are here to stay, but this year we’re turning to the zebra for inspiration. We’ve seen zebra print all over the high street this year and it’s time to translate this onto nails.”

‘Animal prints are here to stay, but this year we’re turning to the zebra for inspiration’

“Abstract designs are still trending, and I think many clients have also learned to appreciate simplicity, so there’s a focus too on natural lines and shapes, perhaps to bring a sense of calm,” says Perez.

“Mismatched nail art is still popular this year, along with negative space, geometric or animal print designs, chrome finishes, or over-the-top embellishments such as loose glitters, sequins or gems,” adds Larivière. “Social media makes nail art more accessible, prompting clients to try something they may have not tried before. So make sure you are well prepared for these requests.”

Social media

Indeed social media is now central to revealing upcoming trends, as well as giving tips on how to recreate them in the salon. “Social platforms continue to play a big role in driving nail trends, as clients spend time scrolling to see the different styles,” says Daly. “Instagram and TikTok are popular, however we still have clients coming into the salon with screenshots of Pinterest images.”

”The rise of nail images on Instagram means that everyone is flooded with inspiration every day,” says Trafford. “After having two years of uncertainty, I think clients will now look forward more than ever to their next nail appointment, excited to express themselves with a different design each time.”

“It is getting harder to predict what new trends will make their way into the nail world as we are now very much dictated by social media and influencers,” says Larivière. “Someone creates something, and all of a sudden it becomes the next big thing. So it is super important for any professional in the nail industry to keep a close eye on social media, especially Instagram, if they want to keep up to date on trends.”