The spring/summer 2022 nail trends are here, and while they’re not as intricate or dramatic as what we’ve seen in previous seasons, we still felt inspired by them.
You could leave your hair tousled, your outfit could be reminiscent of a spa day, and your favorite pair of shoes could be a classic flat from a few years ago – as long as your nails look flawless, so do you. So, as we get closer and closer to spring, a question starts to ring in my mind, perhaps just as clearly as it’s ringing in yours; what are the spring 2022 nail trends?
Well, I’m so glad that you asked! This season is filled with simplistic nail art and neutral tones, along with details I certainly didn’t expect to see. After all, who would have thought that imPRESS nails would be partnering with Rebecca Minkoff to create versions of the runway models’ looks? Nor was the continued love of red nails to be expected in a season often known for its pastel hues, which still showed up.
As you can see, inspiration for nail art this year isn’t in short supply. So, whatever your favorite style of manicure is, I’m sure there will be an option! Just keep scrolling for the best of the spring/summer 2022 nail trends.
Shape It up
The base for any excellent manicure is the nail shape. Whether you reach for something that fades to the background and allows the color and art to come to the foreground or vice versa is up to you, but this year, designers had their nail artists file the models’ nails in a manner where the exact shape couldn’t come into question. A heady reminder to simply pick our favorite from below and run with it!
#1. Short and Square
Before dissing this nail shape as basic, you should be aware that it might simply be a classic destined to stay. Complimenting the popular barely-there nail polishes at brands such as Ulla Johnson and Jason Wu, short and square nail shapes were a hit for the subtle and sophisticated aesthetic they bring to the table.
#2. Bringing Back the Almond
My go-to nail shape, nails filed into an almond-like point have a seemingly retro feel. Not any more! Now the trending shape holds a prominent place in the nail trends, as multiple designers had their manicurists work the models’ nails into this form. Often paired with a black tip, look to both LaQuan Smith and Paul Costello for some nail ideas.
#3. Square Care
Once the most popular nail shape, squares have seemingly become less popular on the runways, as both stiletto and almond shapes have been on the rise. While it may not be the most exciting shape, square nails were used on runways from KNWLS to Versace.
#4. Stumbling into Stilettos
Sharp stiletto-tipped nails are a shape that’s taking over the runway, and thank goodness, considering this type of stiletto won’t get stuck in the grass! Schiaparelli’s metallic claws were the ultimate level of this trend with their extra filed tips, but Saint Sintra, Kim Shui, and Miu Miu dialed down on the nail trend to create a less primal version.
Color Me Pretty
What can I say about color? As someone so completely enamored with the same nail polish as I have been for years, changing it up seems startling. But that’s the point, every now and then, my nails might become a soft pink or a playful purple, and doesn’t that just make it all the more fun? Even if you change your nail color weekly, try experimenting with the popular color options below – I certainly will!
#5. Dipped in Ink
Despite the fact that calligraphy has faded out of fashion, creating the appearance of spending all morning at the ink well certainly hasn’t. LaQuan Smith created this style with perfect ease and minimal details. Peter Do, on the other hand, flipped this trend on its head – quite literally. Instead of the black nail polish used only at the tip, the color dripped down one side of the nail bed to create a perfectly at-ease style.
#6. Sheer Pink
Pale pinks are the nail color that always resonates with spring, similar to how deep reds and purples always return as a nail trend in the fall and winter. This year, naturally, designers didn’t stray from incorporating the hue into their nail trends, and thus the shade was heavily played up at both Brandon Maxwell and Moschino.
#7. Resurrecting Beige
Despite Sex and the City prominently calling beige BS (clearly Big didn’t want beige after all…), designers ignored the thought process by falling head over heels for the color as a nail polish of choice. This hue made sense with Altuzarra’s collection that highlights neutrals, but other brands such as Tory Burch, Brandon Maxwell, and Dior also enjoyed the brown and white mixture for their models’ nails as well.
#8. Red or Dead
Nails are red. It’s the simple rule I’ve lived my life by for at least five years, and while I can expect the color to return to a quasi-popular state in the fall and winter, red nails often aren’t a prominent fixture on the spring runways. This season, it changed, with Naeem Khan stoking the fire of red nail lovers everywhere.
#9. Metallic Hues
New Year’s Eve has passed, and metallic nail polish is still going strong. Perfect for a night-out look or a way to hint at your inner glittering goddess, shining nail polish appeared on the runways of Vivienne Westwood, The Blonds, and Anna Sui. Schiaparelli also played with the trend but coated the entirety of the models’ fingers in gold before filing the shape into a sharp stiletto.
Time for the Art!
Like any type of art, nail designs can be simplistic or elaborate. This season, a combination took hold with versions of the simple French manicure becoming a hit to the insane details that nail artists conjured up out of thin air. So let your inner artist fly free and use your nail as a canvas this upcoming season. And if you’re out of ideas, just keep scrolling for the most popular options found on the runways this season.
#10. Vertical on the French
I teased this newer take on the French manicure earlier with the mention of Peter Do’s version of the nail trend. However, the irreverent and fun version of the French manicure wasn’t only used in one collection but two. Alice + Olivia also rocked the modern French manicure, with blue and pink playing a large part in creating the fun design. So whatever colors you choose, this modern version of the French manicure will surely be taking over.
#11. Classically French
If the vertical version of the French manicure doesn’t interest you, the classic style is still going strong. Needing no introduction, models at designers from Roberta Einer to Michael Kors evoked the classic nail trend for this spring and summer. After all, it’s a classic for a reason!
#12. All the Wild Accents
Each accent mentioned below could have been its own separate section. However, these additions were only featured in one runway rather than multiple, so I decided to combine the list of details for you. The first extravagant *extra* nail trend came from Collina Strada’s seemingly fairy-centered collection. Instead of focusing strictly on the nails, the manicurist for the brand added glitter, eyeshadows, and cream bases to the models’ nailbeds.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Minkoff played with bejeweling the nails, zebra print that matched the eyeshadow of a few models was played up at Rodarte. Whatever detail you’re debating to add to your nails, the time is now!
#13. Flowers on Top
Soft floral details were used in nail art on multiple spring runways. At Sandy Liang, small dots created an implied daisy on the nails. Markarian, on the other hand, went above and beyond, making the floral print of the nails match the dress. Exactly what nail wrap allowed this, we have yet to know. But if you can manage to match your clothing prints to your nails, please do!
Photos via Vogue, Livingly
