New York Fashion Week isn't just about the clothes. Every year we're introduced to a handful of new beauty trends [1] that are sure to make a splash in the upcoming season. This year in the nail art category, one style prevailed above the rest: french manicure-inspired designs [2].
To be clear, the nails spotted on the runways this season are nothing like the tried-and-true french manicures [3] that we're so used to seeing. These manicures put a totally fresh spin on the old classic. We're talking matte- and glossy-finish combos, white-gold ombré, and more. These trends have the potential to carry us through our trips to the nail salon for the spring, summer, and beyond.
There's absolutely nothing boring about the NYFW nail art designs that came walking down the runway this month. See for yourself, ahead.
NYFW Nail Art Trend: Gold-White Ombré French Nails
Celebrity manicurist Gina Edwards [4] created this ombré french manicure for the Rebecca Minkoff spring 2021 show. The almond-shaped nails fade from white to clear — using the Kiss Be-You-Tiful Classy Fashion Nails [5] ($8) — and have a gold metallic cured line paint on the tip. Try the Nailtopia Plant-Based Chip-Free Nail Lacquer in Liquid Gold [6] ($10) to get the look.
NYFW Nail Art Trend: Matte-Gloss Red French Nails
For the Prabal Gurung fall 2021 show, Edwards created a red french manicure that mixed matte and glossy finishes. She used the Kiss Gel Fantasy False Nails [7] ($8) and filed them into an oval shape. Then, she used a glossy top coat to paint the shiny half-moon shape on the tip of each nail. Try using the OPI Protective High-Gloss Shine Top Coat [8] ($11).
NYFW Nail Art Trend: Ying-Yang French Nails
Another manicure spotted at the Rebecca Minkoff show was this ying-yang nail art design. Starting with the solid-colour nails from the ImPress Press-on Manicure in Evanesce [9] ($9), Edwards then used black (we like Essie Neutral Nail Polish in Licorice [10] ($9)) and white nail polish (we like Olive & June Nail Polish in HD [11] ($8)) to paint a slanted french tip [12] onto two accent nails.