Textured Nails AreTaking Over the Internet

Nail art comes in many forms to cater to each kind of manicure enthusiast. French tips, for example, have an elegant and classic feel, while rhinestone designs ooze full-on glamour. While these looks are always in vogue, there’s always a new trend ready to take the spotlight. Enter textured nails; sculpted, shapely, and completely unique, the trend is currently the hottest way to spice up your manicure. 

Texture isn’t exactly new on the nail scene. If you’re of a certain age, you’ve probably dabbled with glitter polishes that delivered tactile, sparkly manicures. However, this trend is much more imaginative. “Texturing nails involves adding a raised layer of product to give nail art depth,” says Anastasia Julia, manicurist and owner of the Colorado-based salon Nashly Nails Studio. Many of the looks use free-form structures to create a custom design with a 3-dimensional effect. Though the trend is still fairly new, it’s already taken off with celebrities like Megan Fox, Hailey Bieber and Cardi B. Below, two manicurists share their tips and tricks for mastering a textured look of your own.

Featured Experts

• Brittney Boyce is a celebrity manicurist and founder of Nails of LA
• Anastasia Julia is a manicurist and owner of Nashly Nails Studio in Colorado

The rise of textured nails

Manicure looks, including nail art, often change with the seasons. Last summer’s watermelon nails and spring’s blueberry milk styles are just a few that come to mind. With a rapidly changing trend cycle, many designs don’t stand a chance past the season they’ve debuted in. But the textured nail trend is different. “There are so many different types of nail art that you can do with a textured look that there’s really no limit or rules to what you can create,” says celebrity manicurist Brittney Boyce. 

Julia echos this, adding that sweater nails for winter and fruit nails for summer have been some of the most popular textured looks so far. With that in mind, it’s not hard to see why textured nails have catapulted to viral status. 

Mastering the textured nail trend

If you’re new to the trend, you’re probably wondering if your natural nails are up to the job of withstanding a 3-D design. A quick search of textured nails will probably yield various looks, especially among celebrities using extensions, and that’s not a coincidence. “The basic idea behind this trend is that you create texture with 3-D gel products on the nail,” says Boyce. While natural nails will do, an extension increases the surface area and potential of your design.

It’s not the easiest look to DIY, so finding a professional who’s used to working with the products is key. “Hand painting skills are very important to achieve realistic-looking texture,” says Julia. However, if you’d like to give it a go yourself, Boyce notes that gel polishes are your best bet. “After the base color or art is done to the nail, take a 3-D gel and apply and sculpt it to the areas that you want. Once you get the texture that you want, cure the nail, and then add gel topcoat to seal,” she says.

Ahead are a few looks the experts love to inspire your next textured nail manicure.

Texture nail designs to try

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Citrus nails

Citrus and fruit manicures are a summer look that can be easily elevated with texture. “Adding water drops to fruit designs makes them more realistic and fresh-looking,” says Julia.

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3-D Slugs

The key to this trend is getting creative and thinking outside the box. This quirky slug design is formed from Aprés’ Extend Gel Novice and painted with a rainbow of pastel colors. The gel has a thick putty-like consistency that keeps that’s ideal for creating 3-D structures on the nails.

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Metallic

Extra-long extensions are the perfect canvas for a 3-dimensional look. For this manicure, Boyce created a dreamy metallic textural design that mimics a shining gemstone.

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Jelly bean design

This design combines texture nails with a sleek metallic base for a modern look. Pro tip: Try using a mix of bright colors that will pop and contrast against the silver polish.

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Watermelon nails

It’s easy to become fatigued by a seasonal nail trend like watermelon nails. If you’re on the hunt for a fresh take on the design, try adding a few drops of gel to give it a fresh and juicy look.

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Water droplets

While it’s true water droplets add a fresh look to fruit designs, they are just as stunning on their own. Take a cue from this look and make them the main attraction.

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Strawberry French manicure

French manicures often have a dainty feel, but this has some edge. Along with the red squared-off tips, the nails are decorated with 3D bubbles for a unique strawberry-esque look.