The French era is behind us. Colors, shapes, designs, and even jewelry are allowed in the new – and sometimes extravagant – forms of manicure.
Letters, phrases, flowers, petals, symbols, and more designs are what we can find in this year’s new nail art trends. We have seen them on the catwalks so far this year and are waiting for the ones to come.
Green on half of the nails and pink with white dots on the other half: you have strawberries on your fingers. If you are not a fruit lover, you can put on a white base and draw eyes and noses with black nail polish, and you will have a dozen pandas on your hands. These and other designs are known as expressions of nail art, a trend that has been very fashionable worldwide for some time now.
There is nothing new about this trend: although the exact origin is unknown and there are no academic books that certify its beginnings, it is believed to have started around 5000 B.C. in India, with women dyeing their hands with henna -a natural reddish dye-, a practice that continues to this day.
During the years 3000 B.C. and 1800 A.D., it is believed that manicure was considered a thing of the past, and it was not until the Renaissance that European high-society women took up this fashion. It can be said, however, that in the 15th century, the Incas invented nail art when they painted intricate images of eagles on their nails.
However, the worldwide expansion of this fashion began in 1920, when the red color was imposed along with the classic half moon. By 1960, pastel and natural tones became relevant; due to their great acceptance, in 1976, the American Jeff Pink, one of the essential manicurists in Hollywood, created the French manicure, which we all know today. During the 80s and 90s, bright colors such as neons, fuchsias, and blues were the protagonists of the time. From 2000 onwards, incredible textures, glitter, and other embellishments took over the interest of thousands of nail fanatics, and the term “nail art” was coined.
The French era is behind us; many celebrities such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Katy Perry have opted for this type of manicure, in which 3D figures, crystals, or even miniature jewelry can be placed.
This fashion has become so popular that companies and chains are dedicated to selling and advising on this way of painting your nails, such as the Japanese Tana Nail and Viva la Nails in the United Kingdom. There is only one caution in this matter: some aggressive products for the skin can cause fungus or abrasions, so be careful with their use.
But leaving history behind, nail designs and styles have had a great reception in recent years. These also want to be a representation of the person wearing them, the event they are attending, or the outfit they are wearing.
We have seen how different brands have put them on their runways with floral tones, metallic, letters, lines, squares, and more. No doubt this nail art trend will continue for a long time, offering great inspiration to others.
We talked to Nicole Holguin, owner of the Nikka nail polish brand, about new trends and care.
What are the trends in nail colors so far this year?
Nude tones continue, grayish tones have been added, and pastel and metallic tones are coming in, in whole nails or details, with minimalist designs such as small circles or lines that give modern and futuristic styles.
Do you think people in Ecuador are going for bolder tones, like the colors in your palette?
Yes, because people are already throwing themselves into new styles, not only in clothing but accessories, nail polish, and home decor, because we are already opening up to a unique artistic and cultural era. And with these new palettes, we can help customers continue expressing themselves how they want to.
What are the most popular shades?
The classics, such as transparent, beige, camel, pink, red, wine concho, and white, but there are also our own personally developed colors, such as Chick Flick, Pitufo Chicle, Pelucona, María Conchita, Cappuccino Cosmico, among others.
What does a good nail polish need to last?
The raw material has to be of good quality, and a nasty mix of products can cause them to flake, e.g., if you put the base of one, the glaze of another, and the gloss of another, it will most likely not last.
