Beauty
It’s all about bright and bold.
After what felt like an eternity of being stuck in the house, 2021 was the year to show up and show out with your fashion and beauty. You might have even swapped sweatpants and t-shirts in favor of bright and playful looks. That shift was probably reflected in your go-to nail polish colors as well.
Nail trends were all about bold, statement hues. Sunshine-filled shades like yellow and dramatic, dark hues like matte black were all over your socials. Whether you love a statement nail with elaborate art or a simple mani with one polish, there was a nail color trend perfect for you. All in all, last year was a great time for your fingertips.
Thankfully, pros are predicting that nail polish trends in 2022 will be just as exciting. Like this past year, having fun and channeling your inner artist will be the manicure standard. The new year will see many of the shades you know and love, like neutral shades and sparkling metallics. But it will also include a few colors that wouldn’t be your first pick for your nails — like periwinkle and mint green.
Need even more ideas for your nail beds? Bustle tapped Rachel James, founder of Pear Nova, Nadine Abramcyk, co-founder and head of brand of Tenoverten, and more experts to help you navigate nail polish trends in 2022. Here are 20 shades that will have you calling your manicurist ASAP.
1
Barely There
When it doubt, go neutral but faint. For the 2022 Mel Gala, Jasmine Tookes went for natural-looking bare nails with a shiny finish. The result was chic and subtle.
2
Bubble Gum Pink
Bold and super fun, Kim Kardashian wore a bright pink shade on her coffin nails with the letter P. One guess who that could be for ...
3
Milky Coconut
Summer 2022 may be the season of the neutral nail. This creamy coconut shade is the perfect basic for you to wear on all your summer adventures.
4
Sunshine Yellow
Who doesn’t love a good Care Bear collab? Lights Laquer’s newest collab celebrates everyone’s favorite teddy bears in bright pastel-colored polishes. This bright yellow is perfect for the summer.
5
Watermelon Red
You’re about to be obsessed with Olive & June’s latest launch (if you aren’t already). This bright pink red shade is happiness in a bottle and just the right vibe for warmer weather.
6
Tropical Green
You can’t talk summer without at least thinking of a beach getaway. This bright mossy green with metallic sheen brings all the tropical vibes.
7
Fuschia
James expects to see people gravitate towards “bold and muted colors that symbolize energy, balance, confidence, and calmness like fuchsia.” The bright shade works during every season, and it’s one of James’ polish shades to watch in 2022.
8
Mint Green
9
Muted Pink
Chanel nail expert Betina R. Goldstein predicts pink is going to be huge in spring 2022. You can either go bright in a bubblegum pink or muted like this Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Naill Colour in Egerie, a pretty pastel pink that goes on super glossy.
10
Periwinkle
Purple’s not-so-basic cousin periwinkle will be a must-try nail polish shade in 2022, according to both James and Abramcyk.
It’s also the Pantone Color Of The Year. In the spirit of Very Peri, celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen suggests OPI Nail Lacquer in You’re Such A BudaPest, a bright mix of periwinkle and lavender.
11
Pastel Neons
This Nails Inc. shade is the perfect mix of pastel and neon that Natalie Minerva, celebrity nail artist and nail lead on Euphoria, predicts will be huge this season. “I’m obsessed with pastel neons because it’s a softer version of summer’s electric colors and feels like they will make a splash this spring,” she says.
12
Metallic
Rip a page from Beyoncé’s book and experiment with metallic nails next year. Abramcyk says she’s expecting to see glitzy silvers and bold golds throughout this year. Wear these eye-catchy shades to dress up for a fancy event or to spice up your day-to-day nail look.
13
Neutrals
Neutral nails never go out of style, but James says to expect to see them all over your timelines throughout 2022. If you’re bored with traditional beiges and soft pinks, try adding a chromatic top coat for a fresh, unexpected effect.
14
Navy
15
Fiery Red
Make a statement in 2022 with race car red nails. The retro shade looks great on short or long nails, and is a playful way to draw attention to your fingertips.
16
Sky Blue
Another shade of blue that you’ll see all over your timelines is sky blue. The pretty pastel is an underrated classic that works all year round (not just in spring).
17
Royal Blue
Both Goldstein and Nguyen are huge fans of a deep, vibrant blue for spring. Goldstein suggests something like Chanel Le Vernis in Rhythm if you’re looking for something a little bit of a darker shade. For a brighter pop of blue, Nguyen likes this Orly polish in It’s Brittney, Beach.
18
Terracotta
For something warm and neutral, you can’t go wrong with terracotta. Goldstein likes pink terracottas like the Chanel Le Vernis in Terra Rosa. Another great option is this polish from Olive & June in MG.
19
Yellow Dreams
Pastels for spring is hardly groundbreaking, but it’s a classic for a reason. Both Goldstein and Nguyen predict a soft bright yellow will be huge for spring nail colors this season and both highly recommend the Chanel Le Vernis in Riviera.
20
Milky Tones
Minerva says to think of milky tones this spring, aka. semi-sheer bare nails in pink and soft white shades. “[Milky tones] feel fresh and feminine, but the sheer effect gives it a chic effect,” she says. This new shade from Essie in Keep Branching Out is a creamy taupe that gives that perfect milky effect.
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