7 Nail Trend Setters To Be Inspired By

Whether you get your nails done religiously or are looking for a new design, nail trends vary through so many styles. They have become the personality trait of many people and a tiny platform to spread messages or ideas. If you already follow nail trends then you may recognize some of these techs, but if you are not familiar, then they will be a huge inspiration to your next set. These nail technicians are just a few of a wide range of amazing techs and are all deserving of a follow.

1. @ginaedwards_

The nail techs on this list are mostly celebrity stylists, but that does not mean we can’t pull inspiration from them. Gina Edwards is a great one who pays attention to nail trends. Like the set pictured below, she mixed a classic French tip-inspired nail with negative space and minimalism. What is even better is that the nails themselves are not covered with acrylic and make this style elegant, as well as modern. As a brand ambassador for KISS, there is no disappointment in Edwards’ helpful designs for keeping us stylish during that bleak quarantine period. She even helped popularize matching face masks with nails! Her art has appeared on Bebe Rexha, Kate Upton, and Laura Harrier.

2. @britneytokyo

If you have seen any heavily loaded nails by a musician, it was most likely done by Britney Tokyo. Her nails are usually loaded with small figurines, called 3-D art, or with intricate designs, as it is the Japanese way. Her native country emphasizes their nails by matching their outfits and hair, sometimes for a specific purpose, like an art event, or just because they love the look. The figurines are not an American design necessarily, but many musicians still get a lot of gem work done by her. Recently she has blessed the hands of KarolG, Rico Nasty, and Miley Cyrus. If you want to walk around with art in your hands, get inspired by Britney Tokyo!

3. @naominailsnyc

Naomi Yasuda can do it all. Her work has been shown on various runways, magazines, and music videos. She appears in Vogue China, Italy, and Japan, Kenzo Paris, Allure, and so many more. Her work is always highly detailed and consistently challenges modern and traditional designs. One look she has done is one that appears to be of stained glass with a French tip design. It is so simple, but so elegant all at once. Her style varies and always has an eloquence to each set. Her work extends to Billy Porter, Madonna, and Rita Ora. She has made so many styles, you just have to see them all!

4. @leximartone

Lexi Martone may be familiar if you watch TLC a lot. In researching her, I learned she and her sister run a shop with their family antics spilling in, as Italian families do. I actually knew of her nail style from some viral photos, as her nail designs are handpainted and are usually of the spooky and nostalgic theme. Her work is recognizable to the 90’s cartoon fans, as she has created The Powerpuff Girls, Invader Zim, and The Grinch designs. She has executed various other styles, like 3-D work and many-layered looks, and has made it difficult to show her best work!

5. @nail_swag

Nail Swag was the store of nail trends and iconic styles. Sadly, it closed due to COVID-19, but Natalie Minerva is still updating her personal work on that Instagram. While the picture below is of a long acrylic, her style is usually on shorter nails, proving that you can have a beautiful design without an exaggerated length. Minerva has a lot of styles that are more simple and others that are heavily detailed. Check her out if you are not into the long acrylics! She has done the nails of Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, and some of the cast of Euphoria. She also shows tutorials of her custom-made press-ons on her TikTok @natalieminervanailswag.

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6. @sojinails

Sojin Oh, in her words, is a polymathic nail artist that uses organic phenomena from the natural wonders of the sea to create her nails. Simply put, she uses nature in real life to inspire her nails and usually shows the picture of the inspiration. She is the most unique nail technician at the moment, for her nails are masterpieces. Instead of adding flowers to acrylic, she will recreate bubbles in a clear acrylic or create a mini sculpture inspired by a fish fossil. If you want to see regular designs, scroll down a bit, but if you like weird and fascinating all at once, follow her for future inspiration. She has worked on Kali Uchis, Bjork, and Lil Nas X’s nails.

7. @califreenails

Michelle Won is another versatile technician that is always on top of the nail trends. This one below is her nails and her partner’s nails, making the latest trend MANicures, as highlighted in her Instagram. This opens the door for couples that love being cute together and erases the gender that is tied to nails. We have seen various male celebrities already break this barrier, so Won might be the first to start this trend. She has various styles and lengths and can do it all. My favorite of hers is the flowers, like below, which are adorable and feel like spring, no matter the year. Her nail trends extend to A$AP Rocky, Nikita Dragun, and Nazanin Mandi Pimentel.

Another one to follow is @whodidtheirnails to stay in the loop of any nail artist not mentioned on this list. They share the names of each artist in celebrity shoots and videos. Some honorary mentions for those who want even more inspiration include @yvett_g of Bling It Salon in California, @cocamichelle who calls herself a Visual Poet (and she has every right to), @juniebeenails for classic long styles in Harlem, NY, @madnails who is the lead stylist for TNT’s Claws, and @nailsbymh who’s work is our cover photo. Which nail look was your favorite? Who inspired you? Let us know below!