If you haven’t heard yet, pink is making a major comeback this year. One of the ways that we’re expecting fashion girls to incorporate the colour into their looks is by scoring pretty pink nail designs for their manicures. I caught up with Tricoci Salon and Spas nail artist Kameron Lange to hear the latest on trending pink nail designs (and start planning for my next mani appointment).
“I think pink nails are trending partially because of the 2023 Pantone Colour of the Year, Viva Magenta, being in the red and pink family,” explains Lange. “We’ve also seen a rise in pink with the Barbie movie coming out this year.” Barbiecore, one of TikTok’s many trending aesthetics, highlights its namesake’s signature colour, pink, while also incorporating ultra-feminine and Y2K elements. Need a real-life example? Paris Hilton walking the spring/summer 2023 Versace runway in head-to-toe pink sparkles. Greta Gerwig’s upcoming film Barbie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, has also sparked a clear reinterest in blush-toned shades for nail designs.
Ways Lange recommends trying out trendy pink looks for your nails with pink chrome (also affectionately nicknamed the “strawberry donut glaze nails,” thanks to Hailey Bieber), or pink french tips. She’s also seen a re-emergence of ombre nails, classic French nails, and micro designs. As with any manicure, it takes special attention to detail and prep to create. “Precise cuticle work and nail shaping are key to making the polish look perfect,” says Lange. “Selecting a shade that complements the guest’s skin tone and aesthetic is important too!”
If you’re ready to try the trend (but in need of a bit of inspiration), you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up four of our favorite nail designs we’ll be seeing everywhere this season! Scroll on to see which ones made our list.
“To create this look, you use the same unicorn chrome powders we’ve been using for a year (usually on more neutral light colors), but instead put it on a deeper, brighter pink!”—Lange
Fully embrace the mermaidcore trend by adding an eye-catching holographic top layer to your pink polish manicures.
We can’t stop thinking about how gorgeous these “glazed donut” nails look in the sunlight (thank you, Hailey Bieber).
You can upgrade any classic pearl-inspired manicure by adding a hint of shimmer and shine with a sparkly topcoat.
If you’re in the mood to go bold, consider test-driving these holographic pink nails in Pantone’s Colour of the Year: Viva Magenta.
It doesn’t have to be Valentine’s day to add sweetheart details like these to classic, sheer pink nails.
Incorporate minimalist nail art into your next look by adding an unexpected detail like these chic dots to a sheer pink base (no explanation needed).
We’re not done gushing about playful florals yet! Use your favorite dotting tool to recreate this Y2K-inspired design.
Here’s a two-tone nail design we’re obsessed with: a powder pink with a berry-toned, nearly red shade placed right above it.
Can’t decide which nail polish shade to choose? You won’t have to if you give this two-tone split french manicure a try.
Remember the aforementioned negative-space nail design with the black dot? Here’s its more colourful twin.
We’ll definitely be trying this double french nail art by manicurist Hang Nguyen whenever we need a look that’s equal parts chic and playful.
The return of ’70s-inspired fashion and makeup offers the perfect opportunity to try retro, pink nail art like this one.
Magenta is definitely having a moment but according to Lange, so is bright Barbie pink.
Here’s another way to update your classic French tips: ombré tips ranging from a sweet power pink to hot pink.
How fun are these wavy dual-tone nails? We love incorporating multiple shades of pink into our manis.
We’re keeping the groovy designs going with this fun mani by nail artist Amy Le.
These nails combine Barbie pink and Viva Magenta for a fun and whimsical look we’re planning on trying ASAP.
You can never have too much pink, as demonstrated by this playful pink manicure.
If you can’t get enough of chic dual-shade French nails, here’s some more inspo to screenshot before your next trip to the salon.
If good vibes could be captured in one nail-art design, it would be these pink-and-red smiley-face French tips.
Next Up, 20 “Clean-Girl” Nail Looks We’re Saving for Our Next Manicures
