I’m calling it: 2024 is the year of the manicure. Whether you prefer a minimalist nail color or a fresh take on an old classic, like a double French manicure, you’re sure to have no shortage of inspiration. Even though the end of the year is right around the corner, our obsession with manicures shows no signs of waning. In fact, my social feeds are now filled with cool fall nail art ideas and playful Halloween nail art looks. But there’s one emerging micro trend that really captured my imagination.
Input: “Glass Nail”.
What are glass nails?
Since glass skin and glass hair are popular beauty trends right now, it’s no surprise that our nails have also started to develop an obsession with high-shine finishes. “Glass nails are a gel-based manicure created by layering products to achieve extreme shine, glass-like depth, and translucency,” explains session manicurist Ami Streets. The strong reflective effect is undoubtedly the hallmark of this manicure and gives the nails an “expensive” look, but the popularity of this trend definitely lies in its versatility.
@heluviee chic ghostly szn ✨🥀 So obsessed with how sleek these look! Everything I use is in my Amazon sf♥️ ib @sansungnails #nails #fallnails #nailinspo #halloweennails #diynails #nailtutorial #glassnails #rednails #velvetnails #cateyenails ♬ Original Sound – ahsmads
Achieving a glass manicure in the salon requires several steps. key? Magnetic gel polish. “First, there’s usually a gel base color, such as black for dark manicures, or white or a sheer nude,” Streets explains. After the primer, it’s time to apply a coat of magnetic gel polish in the color of your choice. Streets sees silver as a highlight on most colorways. “While the nail is still wet, place a magnetic wand over the nail and pull it to one side,” says Streets. “The shards of iron powder in the polish are attracted to magnets, which gather and transfer them to the side of the nail, creating the signature reflective look.”
@nailsbyelisee Simply the most beautiful set ever #cateyenails #glassnails #gelxnailinspo ♬ Bed Chem – Sabrina Carpenter
Finally, the manicure requires a coat of clear jelly nail color of your choice and a high-gloss top coat to create a glass-like effect. Streets points out that unlike other manicure looks that are easy to “cheat,” the best glass manicures she’s seen online tend to use polishes from specific Asian manicure brands, such as Rolita, which makes ultra-fine polishes. Nail polish.
@sailornailsart Tried burgundy glass nails ✨🖤🍷 #romanticrednails #diynails #nailtutorial #glassnails #rednails #velvetnails #cateyenails #nails #fallnails #nailinspo #halloweennails #nailarttutorial #cateye #fallnails #nailinspo #halloweennails #nailarttutorial #cateyehnailart
♬ Original Sound – PrettyDivaOfficial
What is the difference between glass nails and cat eye nails?
Characterized by an intense high-gloss effect, experts call glass nails the new form of cat-eye manicure: a type of magnetic gel nails that have taken over nail salons in the past few years. Like cat-eye nails, a magnet is used to move nail polish, but it’s focused on one side of the nail to create the illusion of light reflecting off shards of glass. Glass nails also feature clear jelly nail polish instead of opaque shades.
@byzareefa #glassnails #koreanglassnail #nailtok #trendingnails #viralnails #viral #fyp #cateye #cateyenails #neutralnails #cleangirlnails #nailinspo #halloweennails #diynails #glassnails ♬girlnails #nailinspo #halloweennails #diynails #glassnails ♬girlnails #nailinspo #halloweennails #diynails #glassnails ♬girlnails #nailinspo #halloweennails #diynails #glassnails ♬girlnails is a girl – without a doubt
“Glass nails are available in a variety of colors,” Streitz explains. “I think nudes and sheer pinks are going to be super popular shades, even at this time of year, because they give the most natural, stunning glass effect.” As winter approaches, Street Predictions We’ll Watch Go for glass nail art in more seasonal colors like burgundy, forest green, navy and various reds.
How much do glass nails cost?
The cost of a manicure depends largely on where you live, with prices in big cities like New York often being above average. “You can expect to pay a similar price to other gel-based manicures,” Streets says. “The cost generally reflects the time and product used to create the look.” After tip, the approximate price for the service is between $50 and $75.
@annazk_nails #cateye #cateyenails #glassnails ♬ Glory Box – Portishead
The best glass nail inspiration
If you take TikTok as an example, glass nails are about to take off, so here’s all the inspiration you need for your next salon appointment.
turn gray
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San Sung Kim’s moody mix of gray and deep black creates a surprisingly sophisticated combination and the perfect fall glass nail look.
cherry gloss
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Glass nails are great for year-round use, but the eye-catching high-gloss finish is really perfect for Halloween nails. Get inspired by this set designed by New York manicurist Jennifer Steese of Vanity Projects.
chocolate molasses
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Chocolate browns and rich caramel shades are going to be huge in nail salons this fall and winter—no surprise considering how great this glassy syrup manicure looks.
evil winter
@heluviee responded to @Adara in green this time <3🍃 Everything I use is in my Amazon sfsf💚 #nails #fallnails #nailinspo #halloweennails #diynails #nailtutorial #glassnails #velvetnails #cateyenails #greennails ♬ Original Sound – ahsmad
The kids’ summer may be over, but we’re about to have one evil For winter, we’ve got a range of green manicures inspired by Hollywood blockbusters. This set by manicurist Sarah Haidar is at the top of our wish list.
Pearlescent glass
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Try the glass manicure trend, opting for pearlescent textures and neutral tones, like this elegant set created by London manicurist Jane Lee using Korean gel.
deep sea
This fun two-tone manicure from manicurist Mutsa pairs lively apple green with dark blue, bringing a refreshing and playful feel to the glass manicure trend.
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smoked glass
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Ultra-fine gold glitter adds instant fall warmth to this mahogany manicure that looks so Expensive on nails due to smoked glass effect.
on fire
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Red nails will never go out of style, but why not give them an update with a fiery red reflective finish like this set from Nail Art Institute?
Like what you see? What about some more advantages of R29?
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Serious question: Does your manicure hurt?
