As much as I love scrolling and saving endless nail art ideas on Instagram and Tik Tok, I’ll admit that when it comes to my own manicure, I’m a one block colour kinda gal. So when I was tasked with putting my investigative beauty journalism hat on to find the nail colours that will be everywhere in 2023, it was a thumbs up from me—both featuring a fresh coat of Chanel Rouge Noir polish, naturally.
My first port of call was hitting up pro nail artist Alyx Lippiatt, whose aesthetically clean-and-cool-girl manis have graced the likes of Lauren Silverman and Jamilla Wyatt. “The metallics we are currently seeing everywhere in fashion will carry on through to next year in the form of solid chrome nails rather than the more subtle glazed look,” Lippiatt explains. “I also think cool shades of each colour will trend instead of the warmer tones. Think cooler tones of grey, blue and lilac.”
Next, I took a trip to see London-based nail artist Nikki Parker aka @nails.by.nikk – I challenge you to scroll through her Instagram and not immediately book an appointment. “Pink is very much here to stay, thanks to Viva Magenta being named Pantone’s colour of 2023,” says Parker. “It’s a fuchsia tone with bright red undertones and makes for a stunning block coloured mani.”
With help from the nail experts and SS23 runways, here are the eight nail colours that will be blowing up your social feeds in no time.
Pantone’s official colour of 2023. The shade is said to bring joy, experimentation and self-expression and I’m pretty sure it’ll be gracing more than just your nails in 2023.
No matter the shade, chrome nails are set to be bigger than ever before. “They are created by using a chrome powder which is buffed into the nail,” explains Parker. “There are also some amazing polishes and press on nails that give a similar effect.”
Seen at Tory Burch, LoveShackFancy and Ulla Johnson SS23 shows, the milky manicure is one to ask for if you’re looking to switch up a classic nude hue.
“This is a light, wearable colour that suits all skin tones,” explains Lippiatt. “You could go for a blue-toned lilac such as OPI Graffiti Sweetie or if you have blue in your skin tone and prefer a warmer, pink-toned lilac, try OPI Do You Lilac It.”
Pastel tones always work beautifully as a nail colour and for me, this manicure is screaming spring.
This colour lends itself to anytime of year, and looks especially on point accompanying rounded off, short nails.
Hold onto your hot pink Jacquemus bag because we haven’t seen the last of Barbiecore—models’ hands were rocking the Elle Woods-approved shade at countless SS23 runway shows.
There’s something about a yellow manicure that sparks pure joy. Variations of the shade were seen backstage at the GCDS and Genny SS23 shows.
For the times you don’t have the luxury of a nail artist, Lippiatt says there are some essentials to invest in to create a salon-worthy mani from home. “A cuticle pusher is a must to push back excess dead skin, allowing for a neat paint line around the cuticle. Then, a soft buffer to make the nail plate smooth ensuring the polish applies lump-free and a 220 grit nail file to shape them into either a round or soft-square shape.”
For Parker, there’s one product she is constantly telling her clients to get into the habit of using daily. “Cuticle oil is an absolute essential for hydrated, healthy nails – especially in the colder months. Build it into your nighttime routine and you won’t look back.”
Next Up: 86 Nail Art Ideas We’ve Saved For Our Next Trip To The Salon
