When it comes to choosing a nail design for any upcoming salon appointment I might have, it’s safe to say I get overwhelmed. The truth is there is just too much choice. I’m the sort of person who struggles to choose a shade of polish from the wheel, let alone settle on a particular nail art design. And I have made many nail mistakes as a result of this indecisiveness—trust me.
Unless I already have a clear idea of how I want my nails to look when I walk out of the salon, it’s almost certain that I will get flustered, feel conscious that I’m taking too long to decide and eventually make a rash decision that I will regret. (I’m still trying to rid my memory of the time I decided to get a shimmering white gel manicure in the midst of fake-tan season.)
To avoid such regrets, I now ensure that I arrive at the salon with visual inspiration to show my nail tech. I usually turn up with three or four designs that I would be happy with and let her choose one. And this year, I am totally spoilt for choice. Instagram is a flurry of great, trending designs I’m desperate to get on my nails. So if, like me, you struggle to make your mind up, keep scrolling for the five trending nail ideas I can’t wait to try in 2022.
1. Mini Accents
Evil-eye nails are having a serious moment, particularly when they're teeny-tiny and on accent nails. Pair it with a neat French mani for the ultimate spring/summer look.
Never has a manicure spoken to my soul in the same way this mini olive one from Betina Goldstein does. In fact, I think it will be my next choice.
At first, I thought the array of heart nail designs spamming my feed around February were only for Valentine's Day, but their popularity isn't declining—and I'm not mad about it. Tiny hearts on freshly manicured nails? I'm in.
The Hero Product
These nail stickers make at-home micro accents easier than ever. Just paint your nails, stick a design of your choice over the top, and seal with a topcoat.
2. Jewel-Encrusted
I'm always looking for the perfect way to elevate a boring French manicure, and I think this bedazzled design could be it.
I like my jewels big, so why tone it down on my nails? I love the way that these jewels are complemented with gold leaf.
Any nail design that doesn't involve having to apply a coloured polish gets a big tick from me. (I'm a lazy girl. What can I say?)
The Hero Product
Simply pop a dot of nail glue onto the underside of one of these gems to keep them stuck to your nails for days on end.
3. Reverse Accents
If you're sick of seeing the sort of delicate manicures that are trending on social media right now, this colourful block design will be right up your street.
This modern take on a French manicure flips the classic design on its head entirely.
This cuticle design takes understated to whole new levels, but I'm totally smitten.
The Hero Product
Try out reverse French manicures at home with this super-precise nail brush.
4. Sunny Pastels
Abstract-nail-art lovers, this one's for you. Proving that nail art doesn't have to be complex to be effective, this pastel-pink design is ideal for summer.
Nail art isn't for everyone, and these block rainbow nails are ideal for those who want to try something a little different without going whole hog.
A sunny pastel rainbow design that incorporates nail art, too? This design proves there's no such thing as too much.
The Hero Product
This handy polish collection means you don't have to fork out for lots of different shades to get your dream pastel rainbow mani.
5. Milky Hues
No one does a chic milky mani quite like Harriet Westmoreland. The key is in making sure cuticles and nails are preened to perfection.
This pinky-nude shade makes for an incredibly low-maintenance manicure. Grow out, who?
Be sure to finish off your milky mani with a high-shine topcoat for a super-luxe finish.
The Hero Product
When layered under a gel-effect topcoat, this sheer base from Dior is milky-nude perfection.
Next up, 11 nail polish brands that deliver salon-grade manicures.
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