<
Wake up, there’s a new nail trend! OK, this might not seem all that exciting since there’s a new big nail trend every few weeks (thanks, TikTok), but this one’s actually out of the box… well, technically the book. Pop Art Nails Inspired by comics are the latest nail trend hitting all For You pages and Instagram feeds. Also known as cartoon nails, this style of manicure is characterized by the 3D effect created by painted lines around the perimeter of the nail, creating dimension that mimics the animated drawings of a comic book, hence the name .
You can go as simple and minimalist or as bold and animated as you like with pop art nails; The style of the design ensures an eye-catching manicure no matter which way you move. “It’s fun to see all the variations on this trend, from bright and colorful to festive and festive,” says nail artist Elle Gerstein in a press release about the trend.
Instagram content
This content can also be viewed on the website from which it originated.
She attributes the style’s popularity to its versatility and how it differs from other current nail trends like chrome and ombré French nails. “I love how versatile it is, not only with the colors but also with the nail shapes used — I see everything from coffins to Russian almonds to stilettos.” Gerstein also explains that this trend allows artists to express their own personal aesthetic to present by giving it their own touch. “It’s the artists who set these trends,” she notes.
If you’re thinking of getting pop art nails for your next set, it pays to show your nail technician a few pictures to get your exact idea across. If you choose to create the look yourself, in the statement, Gerstein shares exactly how she achieved her take on the cartoon manicure shown above. She used a mix of colors and neutral tones, but it can be recreated in any color scheme. “After applying a primer, I applied two coats of LeChat Perfect Match Mi Amour and cured between each coat,” explains the artist [Gerstein is a paid partner of LeChat].
After that first step, she outlined the nail with LeChat CM Gel Art Black (if you’re not into gel, Essie’s 39 Licorice polish is a good choice here). “I love that it comes with a striper brush that makes it seamless for artwork,” she explains. If you don’t already own a nail art brush, we recommend the Beaute Galleria 12 mm nail art brush, which is a good choice. The thin brush makes drawing detailed artwork a breeze.
Alma K/@nailsbyalma
Alma K. / @nailsbyalma
Then she added a curved exclamation point using LeChat CM Art Gel White (OPI’s Alpine Snow nail polish is another great non-gel alternative). “You can add hyphens, exclamation marks, and commas elsewhere to give it more dimension. That detail is what makes the artwork stand out,” she says. After applying the faux gel in both shades, she cured and added a top coat and cured again.