Velvet Nails Are Trending and They’re Even Cooler Than You Imagine
Picture this: You head to the salon with the exact nail polish colors you want in mind, only to take one look at the wall and completely scrap your plans. Sound familiar? With so many trending colors and finishes, how do you choose? Well, Instagram can help. Many first noticed the viral velvet nails manicure on Los Angeles nail artist Amy Le’s account. The dimensional green velvet mani looks fuzzy when really, it’s a trick of the light with the nail art design. Fans found the mani so mesmerizing, Le created a tutorial over on her Patreon.
What was so fascinating about Le’s manicure is that it’s a new (and easier?) way to get the velvet nails trend we’ve loved for years. Back in 2012, Ciaté sold a DIY velvet manicure kit with flocking powder that everyone was obsessed with. It was messy and hard to use, but the results were pretty awesome. Now, nail artists are creating the look of texture without making them actually feel fuzzy. Genius!
To find out exactly how to get this trending nail art, we chatted with celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen, who has worked with the likes of Halsey, Emma Roberts, and Julia Roberts. One look at Nguyen’s Instagram, and you know she’s a nail art pro who knows a thing or two about trending manicures.
Meet the Expert
Celebrity nail artist Queenie Nguyen has worked with the likes of Halsey, Emma Roberts, and Julia Roberts.
The Modern Way To Achieve Velvet Nails
“I tend to go with gel nail polish for the velvet nail looks for a cleaner set up over powder,” explains Nguyen. “Velvet nails are usually achieved by using magnetic polishes and a magnet to control the movement of the velvet effect.” She explains that this technique is very similar to the cat eye nail trend a few years back. “But velvet nails are more modern,” she says. “Cat eye nails are usually created with black as the foundation color, whereas one can easily rock velvet nails over any color.”
It is possible to try this manicure trend yourself but Nguyen recommends going to the nail salon when dealing with gel manicures. “You can definitely DIY the look at home using magnetic polish and a gel lamp to seal the velvet effect in,” she says. “However, it is better to get it done at the salon because a professional will be able to get the job done much faster by having a better control holding the magnet over the nails. Salons also will have more color selections.”
That’s what’s so fun about this holographic nail art design. There are an infinite number of ways to make them truly unique and all you. “What I love the most about this look is how chic and subtle it is,” adds Nguyen. “I also like that it’s very versatile where the look can be worn by itself or with additional nail art over it.”
Need some nail art ideas for your next appointment? We’ve got you covered.
Velvet Nail Inspo We Love:
1. Smoky Stars
This mani combines three trends: velvet nails, ombré polish, and nail art stickers. So chic.
2. Celestial Mermaid
Take ombré to the next level with a subtle color fade across all five nails. The color even changes as it glistens in the sun.
3. Pale Silver
Silver velvet is low key but just as pretty as its colorful counterparts.
4. Velvet Top Coat
Play around with varying types of nail art for an even more modern look. These are so cute for Valentine’s Day!
5. Pink Sheen
You don’t have to wear extensions to get the look. Velvet nails look just as cool on your natural length.
Get everything you need to experiment with your look with an IPSY Glam Bag! Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.
Like this article? Share it with your friends by clicking the icons below!