2022 was a huge year for nails, which can only mean big things for salons this year. The launch of Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand, Rhode, sent her iconic ‘glazed doughnut’ nails (also known as chrome claws) viral on TikTok, spawning new ‘flavours’ like chocolate, strawberry and candy cane.
Meanwhile, courtesy of Addison Rae and Selena Gomez, we also saw manicures upgraded with game-themed designs and shimmering emerald shades, while Dove Cameron’s charmed and studded paint job stole the show at the VMAs.
So, after such a hard-hitting year for nails, what could 2023 have in store for us? Here, we break down the top 10 nail trends for 2023. From milky nudes and minimalist classics to bold, 3D, encrusted styles we’re sure there are trends to keep customers frequenting your salon all year long.
1. Lip Gloss Nails
Making its way in at number 1 on our list of popular nail trends for 2023 is this nod to the ever-prominent ‘clean girl’ aesthetic. Combining all-season milky neutrals with silky chrome top coats that work with a variety of naked base colours, this trend takes definite inspiration from last year’s ‘glazed doughnut’ craze. The sheer, almost bare base remains while this design leans more into a glossy finish than a pearly one.
Image Credit: Le Manoir
2. Barely-there French Manicures
Following their mini-comeback in 2022, French manicures are expected to blossom into one of the most popular nail trends for 2023. With lead artist Harriet Westmoreland claiming her signature look uses light touches and ‘trickery on the eye’ to make the nail look longer and, therefore, more elegant, the key phrase to remember with this trend is definitely ‘less is more.’
Image Credit: Stylist
3. 3D Designs
Ever since HBO’s Euphoria hit our screens, the nail styles on show have been growing in popularity , and none more so than their 3D designs. In contrast with the low-fi French aesthetic, with this trend, the bigger and bolder, the better. Charms, textures, studs and gems and even nail piercings are set to be a huge nail trend for 2023, making nails the centrepiece of your outfit.
Image Credit: The Zoe Report
4. Vintage Styles
We can see from Euphoria’s impact on 3D designs that TV is a major player in setting nail trends, and with the third series of Bridgerton arriving on Netflix this year, we’ve got no doubt that regency-inspired designs will be back in style. So expect delicate, vintage rose florals and pastel wallpaper aesthetics galore in this nail trend for 2023 as people lean into romantic styles to channel their inner duch*ess.
Image Credit: Byrdie
5. Velvet Nails
Like the fabric they’re named after, velvet nails have a signature, rich sheen that, despite their textured look, doesn’t make them fuzzy to the touch. Instead, this mesmerizing style gives a glimmering, dimensional and mesmerizing appearance that we think is going to be another popular nail trend for 2023.
Image Credit: @lolo.nailedit
6. Melted Metallic Touches
Shades of silver, gold and bronze have always been popular, but they’re getting a makeover this year. Melted metallics give a fluid effect, often used to accent the nail rather than dominate it. These small splashes of molten metallic colours are a nail trend to look out for in 2023, giving manicures a simple yet unique effect.
Image Credit: Chalkboard Nails
7. Barbiecore
With Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie starring in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie this year, we can expect hot pink to invade our wardrobes as one of the top nail trends for 2023. This colour theme first came to the fore in late 2022 and is expected to become more popular throughout 2023. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann reckons that ‘wearing hot pink on your nails is a bold way to play around with the season’s hottest shade,’ with big names like Kim Kardashian and Sydney Sweeney buying into the trend too.
Image Credit: HOLR
8. Illusion Designs
These hypnotic optical illusions are another nail trend to look out for in 2023. Utilizing overlapping geometric patterns to create fun designs, these styles will always have heads turning for a closer look at their intriguing complexity. This is the perfect style for bringing their nails front and centre, with bold contrasts and intricate patterns.
Image Credit: Crazy Polishes
9. Aura Nails
Similar to the shape-shifting style, aura nails give your manicure a shifting, ever-changing aesthetic. By utilizing airbrushing, this design uses a gradient to deliver an ombré look, meaning the nails shine in different places depending on the light. It’s an adaptable design, too, working in any palette, and for that, as well as its vibrancy, this style makes it into our list of the top 10 nail trends for 2023.
Image Credit: @beyondbeauty
10. The Natural Look
Rounding off our list of nail trends to look out for in 2023 is this clean, simple style. Revolving around maintaining healthy nails and nursing your nails back to good health, this look is perfect for those looking for an understated, natural style. In addition, salons can use prescriptive manicures to give their customers bespoke, strengthening and moisturizing treatments with the addition of custom-made colour shades to complement their skin tones.
Image Credit: Stylist
Nail your salon air safety this year!
While we love keeping you up to date on the latest nail trends, here at VODEX, the air you, your staff and your customers’ breath is our top priority.
Harmful fume and airborne nail dust inhalation can have severe health repercussions, which is why we offer a complete range of extraction products to promote cleaner salon air.
Find out more about our beauty extraction products here, VODEX SalonAIR ® here, or get in touch if you have any questions.
Further Reading
- Winter Tips for Attracting Beauty Salon Customers
- Product Spotlight: SalonAIR® Capture Accessories
- When and How to Change SalonAIR® Filters
- Protecting Against Typical Nail Tech Hazards
