As Leonardo Da Vinci once said, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. While he certainly wasn’t referring to manicures, the same can be said of nail designs. From Hailey Bieber’s chocolate swirls to Selena Gomez’s lip gloss nails to the now wildly popular blueberry milk mani, these days, barely a week goes by without someone touting a hot new nail trend. The key to all these recent hits? Their simplicity. “Nail art doesn’t have to be too technical or detailed,” says celebrity nail artist Michelle Class. “Remember, art is subjective and not always perfect!”
While it’s tempting to flex some serious creative muscle when selecting a new nail style, it’s true that the most sophisticated designs are often the most simple, whether in terms of colour, pattern or texture. “Personally, I think the key to making a simple nail design stand out is to make sure you have a real contrast in colour,” says Class. “We’ve seen so much of a sheer to nude nail with a simple dot, a heart or a coloured French tip, so be brave and opt for that pop of colour.”
If you’re looking to elevate your own manicure, we’ve rounded up some of the best simple-yet-effective nail designs below.
