Another year is officially here, so naturally, I’m curious as to what the biggest nail trends of 2024 will be. Twenty-twenty-two saw a number of nail art trends, from the Hailey Bieber “glazed donut” manicure to the cute French tips that we turned to as the temperatures soared. With searches for healthy-looking hair, clean girl aesthetic, & self-care at an all-time high, 2024 is a year for the manicure minimalists: expect to see minimalist nail trends that show off healthy, pristine nails buffed to perfection everywhere you look.
Phrases like “cue the drama,” “not for the faint of heart,” and “go big or go home” aren’t applicable to nail designs in 2024. This year will be a year of monochrome colors, abstract designs, negative space, & geometric lines. This is great news for the DIY people among us, minimalist nail art doesn’t require a skilled nail tech to recreate.
For today’s post, I rounded up 15 minimalist nail trends that are simple and clean, not basic and boring. Keep scrolling for dangerously demure nail art ideas to strike the fancy of every kind of minimalist.
Because you don’t need bells and whistles to make a statement.
Milky Magic
For a look that everyone can mimic at home with minimal effort, a milky manicure is the upgraded nude. Appearing at shows like LoveShackFancy, Tory Burch, Ulla Johnson, and others, this cool (and easy!) manicure is a must-have for spring. I’m totally lovin’ these low-maintenance rounded minimalist almond and coffin nails with a hazy pink-tinted white polish.
Shades like OPI’s Bubble Bath and Love Is In The Bare are perfect for clean, simple nails. These colors hide any imperfections while enhancing the nails for a look that is clean, well-manicured, and healthy.
To learn how to recreate this look at home affordably check out this how-to:
DIY: How To Do The Viral Milky Nails Trend At Home On A Budget
Jelly Nails
Equal parts ethereal and high-fashion, the jelly nails design trend is having its moment. The look is relatively easy to recreate and is versatile enough to go with any outfit. You can recreate the oh-so-coveted “gwiyeoun sonyeo” Korean minimalist look by adding cute emojis, small flowers, rhinestones, glitters and so much more.
DIY: How To Recreate the viral Korean Blush Jelly Nail look at home (on a budget)
Haunted Mansion – Sheer Purple Jelly Nail Polish
Barely-there French
French manicures had a mini comeback last year, & this craze carries on with no signs of stopping any time soon, and with good reason. French manicures will be barely there and very thin and natural for 2024. Think hardly noticeable, fine white and black tips that make hands and nails look chic and expensive.
I’ve been receiving a few questions about the ombre glitter manicure on the right and luckily this look is really easy to recreate at home!!!! Tiktoker Kayla Kingsberry created an easy-to-follow how-to video linked here. She uses 3 different dip powders that to recreate the look – I’m linking the dip powders I got from Amazon. (6 different colors + utensils for $8.99) It’s like the deal of the century.
Green Nails You’ll Need to Screenshot ASAP
I used to think that green nails were exclusively for St. Patrick’s Day at best, but I’m now fully committed to playing around with some shade of green all year long. And honestly, once you see the mix of minimalist and subdued shades of green that you can try for your next manicure, I’m pretty positive you’ll be a convert too. I’m obsessed.
Monochromatic Mani
These varying tones of nudes and browns keep this mani fun but still within the lines of minimal nail art because of the monochrome gradient palette. All you have to do to achieve this look is paint each nail a slightly different shade of a similar color, or an entirely different color altogether. If subtle is the name of your game but you still want in on the trend, try varying shades of similar colors like the manicures below featuring complementary shades of neutrals.
Glazed Donut Nails
A look that won’t go away anytime soon is Hailey Beiber’s mega-viral Glazed Donut nails. I put together a little how-to if you’re inspired to recreate the look at home:
DIY: How To Create Hailey Beiber’s Glazed Donut Nails At Home
Mixed Metals
The Mani of the future 
Mixed metals is the perfect manicure for the edgy minimalist: When it comes to fabulous nail art, nothing beats the awesomeness of metallic designs. Whether you go full-on shiny, or you keep things more subtle, you simply can’t go wrong using metallic polish on your nails. While silver and gold are still outstanding choices, there are loads of other colors, as well as fun combinations with standard polishes that are simply going to blow your mind. Need proof? Here you go!
Brown Is The Perfect Neutral
Neutral, earth tones and muted manicures have been trending as of late — and all over fingertips during New York Fashion Week. If you’re looking to switch things up from your typical nail polish color palette, brown happens to be a chic and versatile choice. Whether you opt for a chocolate, caramel, toffee, or cream tone, there are countless brown nail ideas that’ll upgrade your manicure game.
The glitter french is 2024’s Coolest Nail Trend
At first glance, this elegant look might appear to be your typical French manicure. Upon closer examination, however, you’ll notice the subtle metallic sheen where the trademark french white tip should be. Gold glitter-dipped french manicures is an easy trick to add sparkle to your nails while still looking grown-up; plus, it looks excellent peeking out of sweater sleeves this time of year. And unlike the classic white and baby pink look, adding some extra dimension plants the trend firmly in 2024. Usually, I would never put “sparkle” and “simple” in the same sentence, but if you keep the shimmer to a small sliver, it works.
Maroon Nails
Maroon Nails are an excellent nod to Old Hollywood glamour. This incredibly sultry nail color took the world over this winter, & with good reason.
Simple Gold Squiggle
Metallic designs don’t have to cover your entire nail, nor do they need to be with other polish colors to make an impact. Case in point: These simple gold squiggle nails. Despite their head-turning appeal, they’re straightforward to recreate. Use a striping brush to trace silver swirls across a clear or nude mani, finish with a top coat, and you’re good to go.
With Valentine’s day approaching, cute gold hearts drawn upon a nude nail is an excellent way to celebrate cupid’s holiday while also maintaining a chic minimalist aesthetic.
Pretty in Light Brown
Brown is the color of warmth and comfort; it’s an earthy tone that strongly resembles chocolate, coffee, bread, wood, skin, and all the good worldly things in life.
Swarovski Nails
If you want a real opulent and majestic design, Swarovski crystal nail designs are an option that creates a manicure unlike any other. From a little hint or a stunning accent nail to a complete glam set, this is a versatile look that can really stand out.
The Abstract Minimalist
There’s no denying that abstract nails are on the rise. So, if you’re someone who likes squiggles, throw some in; if you fancy dots, paint a few on; if you love ’70s vibes, illustrate it on your nails.
Simple Minimalist Dots
Next time you paint your nails with a simple sheer polish and decide it’s not enough, add tiny black-and-white nail dots near the cuticle of your nail. The smallest details can make the biggest difference.
What are some of your favorite minimalist nail trends in 2024? Make sure to share in the comments below.
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