Nail it: Six of the hottest nail art trends for this winter

3D nail art. Pic/Sneha Bhagwat

The lockdown forced many of us into self-grooming, from haircuts to nail care. It is no surprise then that DIY press-on nail kits became a rage, but expertly done manicures are here to stay. Every season in 2021 has seen some beautiful nail trends, and what's more, this year more than any other year has seen each trend going strong through various countries, be it the US, Japan or India.

"Through the year, we have seen a lot of French tips, neons, glitter and ombres in brighter hues. With India's marriage and festive season corresponding with fall and winters, our nail trends escalate arguably the farthest compared to other countries during this time," shares Bengaluru-based nail technician and founder of Nailbox, Sneha Bhagwat. If you too are keen on experimenting with nail art and seeking inspiration, we've asked Bhagwat to share the hottest nail trends for autumn 2021.

Warmer tones

With the weather getting cooler, we start to see warmer tones, but with similar art trends from the year. We see a lot of warm greys, browns, nudes. The line art has moved into blacks and browns, from whites and neon. Bright glitters are moving into warmer, deeper metallic colours. People who like to keep it classic will pick warmer colours in tones like the taupes and the browns, over the brighter blues and oranges, which are preferred over the summer.

Metallic French

The French Manicure, being the most evergreen manicure, is seeing a metallic accent on the nails with gold, silver, copper or even rose gold or floral lines.

3D nail art

3D nail art with floral designs on the ring finger or the thumbs add a lot of unique character to the hands. 3D nail art is done with acrylic powder on the nail. Only the most trained technicians with honed skills are able to do this to perfection. If you are someone who enjoys a little bit of bling, you can also ask for stone or Swarovski embellishments on the 3D art.

Cat eye

Cat eye nails are all the rage. They look classy without being too much, and work great for people who like the drama as well as for the minimalists in our midst.

Contrast

People who prefer long extensions are going for clear nails with see-through, translucent colours and designs while those who prefer natural nails are enjoying multi-coloured hands, with two or three different tones of a colour used on alternate nails. We will be seeing a lot of subtle nudes this season to match our entire winter wardrobe. Minimal embellishments of one accent colour on the ring finger, or Swarovski, and 3D nail art will be prominent.

Deeper reds

There will be plenty of reds. We will be seeing the maroons, wines, and deeper reds for the wedding season in all its glory. As it is, or interspersed with gold. We will also see the classic red nail story, but with the slightest hint of warmth or even matte.

Remember, if you're unsure, always ask your nail technician to help you out, and you'll always leave the nailbar feeling happy and warm inside, to match the season.

Also Read: All in the nails: Mumbai expert suggests essential nail care tips for the monsoon