The Top Nail Art 2023 Trends are All About Illusion

What are you doing if you haven’t begun planning your 2023 manicure? While most people are still doing their fall manicures, it’s important to start planning for the holiday season. Experts say that 2023’s nail trends offer something for everyone.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer to keep your nails neat and tidy or if you are more inclined to experiment with new nail art designs. According to manicurists, next year’s most in-demand looks will range from minimalist and traditional designs to bolder designs that you may not have seen before. Rita Pinto, the founder of Vanity Projects in New York City says that she is excited about what’s coming up. All of these trends are possible on natural, acrylic or gel nails.

Pinto points out that trends in nail design are not the only thing that is changing. There are many techniques that are becoming more popular, which encourages artists to create looks that might have been impossible. She explains that clear gel can be used to create 3D textures, heightening or defining dimension in designs. «Sometimes, new technology such as Apres GelX enters the market and becomes big and we see that trend continuing!»

We interviewed Pinto and a host of other renowned nail artists (who often paint the fingers of celebrities like Madonna, Solange and Mariah Carey) about the trends they see in the nail industry and the most requested nail designs.

Crescent Rainbow Nail Art

Megan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa have been sporting 3D nail art manicures since 2022. According to Naomi Yasuda, a New York City-based nail technician, this trend will continue to grow. Yasuda says that 3D nail art brings life to the art. It adds texture and dimension. Yasuda suggests using IBD hard gel to achieve the same look at home. If you are doing this at home, you will need an LED or UV lamp to cure the gel. «Hard gels are thicker than soak-off gels and make it easier to create shapes.»

Airbrush Nails

Yasuda says that airbrush art was huge in its day and is now back in fashion. This style, which was very popular in the 2000s, is now gaining popularity on Instagram. People are flocking to salons seeking it out. Yasuda describes the Apres Nail Air gel, which is a combination of gel paint and an airbrush spray that seamlessly sprays color onto the nails.

Textured Manicure

The textured trend is proving that manicures are becoming more complicated. It’s unlikely that your nails can have the same style and feel as your favourite cable knit sweater or silk slipdress, but nail artists are improving their abilities to create nail art from almost any material. Elle Gerstein, a nail artist, says matte nails and shiny gel options make it possible to create layered textures with nail polish and gel.

Nails that are almost natural

Celebrities like Zendaya and Margot Robertbie started 2022 with natural-looking nails. Experts predict that the look will return at the top in 2023. Pinto states, «I noticed a lot of sheer looks at the Spring/Summer runways and that usually translate into nail trends.» OPI’s Bubble Bath nail polish, Chanel Le Vernis nail varnish in the shade Egerie and Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polishes in the color I’m Too Sexy all have pretty pink nude nail colors that will give you the perfect barely there look.

Chrome Craze

Chrome nails are the nail trend experts love. Hemi Park, LeChat Nails educator says that it won’t surprise anyone to see metallic and chrome nails everywhere. We have seen Hailey Bieber’s glazed doughnut nails hit really hard on social media and everyone has fallen in love with metallic textures and chrome ever since. Park anticipates that there will be more Glazed Donut manicures with different nail colors and chrome textures, in different beaming tones, than single-colored ones.

Diamond-Encrusted Nails

Brittney Boyce, a nail artist based in Los Angeles and founder of Nails of LA, says that next year will see bejewelled nails with diamond-encrusted designs all over the world. She explains that we are seeing more of these on shorter nails than on longer, straight nails. She cites the use of gemstones in face makeup (thanks Euphoria) and Taylor Swift’s extravagant hands in her Bejeweled music videos. Nails are now considered the next level of bejewelled accessories. Stickers are another great option if you don’t have the ability to nail jewels. KISS imPress nails offers press-on nail options that feature sparkly, jeweled designs.

Pop Art Nails

Pop art nails are a unique way to show off 3D nails. This trend, which draws inspiration from comic books, has already taken off in 2022. Nail artists say it is not slowing down. Gerstein says, «I love how versatile this is, not just with the nail colors but also with the nail shapes — I’m seeing every shape from coffin to Russian almond to stiletto.» This look is very trendy and allows artists to express their individual interpretation of the look by adding their own twist.

Ombre Nails

Although you may not have noticed the vertical ombre french nail trend on TikTok, it definitely put ombre back on everybody’s radar. Miss Pop, a nail artist, says that ombre is a classic nail art design. It’s beautiful in all shades. «The ombres that will become big in 2023 are high-contrast and almost look like optical illusions.» The artist describes them as hypnotic, chic and stylish. This gradient design can be used with any color palette, making it extremely versatile.