From elaborate nails to natural beauty
In a cafe in Paris (France), creative director Lolita Jacobs adjusted her teacup. Her nails are almost colorless, with only a tiny dot at the base of the nail. "That's the only breakthrough I allow myself," she said with a smile.
If a few years ago, long, elaborately decorated or stone-studded nails appeared all over social networks as part of a "personal brand", now that image is gradually giving way to short nails, light glossy surfaces, nude pink, transparent or even completely bare. On TikTok, keywords such as "naked nails" or "nonicure" - minimalist nail care - are constantly appearing.
Miranda Shanahan, a brand consultant and cultural trend and Internet trend analyst in the UK, believes that this change reflects social psychology more than simple beauty. "When a symbol of style becomes too popular, those who want to make a difference often choose to withdraw from it," she said.
At one point, regular gel nail polish sets almost became an "indispensable" fashion accessory for many female office workers. A beautiful nail set means having time, money and care for yourself. But after many years of chasing after a sophisticated appearance, more and more people are starting to get tired of dense salon appointments and hours of sitting motionless to apply powder and gel polish.
For many women, natural nails are like a statement: I don't need to try too hard to prove anything," Shanahan commented.
Healthy nails become a new symbol
At the Young LDN salon in Notting Hill (London, England), where fashionable, stylish customers regularly visit, salon owner Sue Carroll realizes that her customers are now more interested in nail health than in complex designs. The demand for artistic, elaborate nails has decreased significantly.
Customers no longer prefer mirrored nails or overly prominent styles as before. They ask more about how to restore and improve weak nails or the treatment to help nails become strong and healthy instead of just covering the nail surface with paint," she said.
This change also comes from health concerns. Constant gel polishing, using acetone to remove paint, or grinding nails many times can make nails brittle and easily broken. In addition, studies on UV rays in gel drying lamps also make many people more hesitant.
In that context, the "Japanese manicure" style - Japanese nail care - unexpectedly returns. Not painted, not studded with stones, this method uses powders containing beeswax, keratin and minerals to polish directly on the nails, creating a natural shine as if just covered with a thin layer of oil.
Lisa Chauveau - creative consultant for high-end fashion and cosmetic brands in Paris - said that this trend is very similar to what is happening in the beauty industry in general. "Makeup now also tends to be "your natural skin but more beautiful". Nails are also the same: Natural but more sophisticated, more luxurious," she said.
In fact, the look of "doing nothing" sometimes requires more effort than imagined. A beautiful natural nail needs healthy nails, carefully nourished hand skin and regular care habits.
Bare nails are hard to pretend. If your nails are healthy and naturally beautiful, it shows that you really know how to take good care of yourself" - Shanahan commented.
Trend of the "quiet luxury" era
In the fashion world, minimalist beauty is gradually gaining the upper hand. Clothes have fewer logos, more neutral colors, and accessories are also more discreet. Nails therefore become part of a new lifestyle: luxurious but not ostentatious.
Many people call it "quiet luxury" - a silent luxury style. Without needing to be studded with stones or striking neon colors, just a clean, healthy nail set is enough to create a sophisticated feeling.
In France, where elegant beauty is always valued, many women have actually never given up neutral nail styles. "I have always been on the side of natural nail art," French style icon - Leia Sfez said and explained: "We have been surrounded by overly stereotypical beauty standards for too long. Now, people want to find something simpler and more authentic.
However, "naturalness" is not necessarily ignored. Behind that minimalist look are still cuticle oil, hand cream, restorative waxes and regular salon care sessions.
The only difference is that instead of trying to make others see the sophistication, many people now want their beauty to look as if... they don't need to try.
Japanese nail care - "Japanese manicure
Japanese manicure - Japanese-style nail care - is being sought after by many women as a way to restore nails after many years of gel polish. This method does not use colored polish but focuses on nourishing real nails with a mixture of beeswax, keratin, silica and natural minerals.
The technician will polish the nutrients directly onto the nail surface and then apply a layer of fine powder to create a light shine. The result is that the nail looks healthy, clean and has a natural shine. This type of care is especially popular with people with weak, easily broken nails or wanting to pursue a minimalist style.
The gel nails trend of the past
For about a decade now, gel nails and artistic nails have developed strongly along with the explosion of Instagram and TikTok. Nails are no longer just for beauty but have become fashion accessories appearing in every frame: From holding a coffee cup, typing on the keyboard to "Get Ready With Me" videos on TikTok.
This trend is greatly influenced by the beauty culture of the black community and gradually becomes a global trend. From stone-studded nails, 3D drawing to mirror coating, nail salons are gradually becoming a familiar part of modern urban life.
