7 Unique Nail Ideas for 2021

Did you know that in the US, women spend a collective $768 million a year on nail polish? Clearly, having well-manicured, trendy nails is a priority for a lot of people!

That being said, if you’re going to spend some of your hard-earned cash on nail polish and other nail products, you might as well have some fun with it. We’re seeing tons of cool nail designs in 2021, and you’re not going to want to miss out on these fresh ideas.

If you’re looking for ways to spice up your manicure routine, you’ve come to the right place. 

Unique nails are in, and we’re here to talk about it. Keep reading for seven unique nail ideas to keep you stylish this year!

1. Seaglass Press-On Nails

For the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in matte nail polish and muted tones. Now, it’s time to bring back color in a way we’ve never seen before.

Seaglass nails can be created with press-on nails filed into any shape you prefer. The key is to make sure that they add length to your nails so that you can really maximize the “glass” effect. In the end, you want these nails to maintain a nice transparency.

Once you’ve filed your press-on nails into your preferred shape and adhered them, it’s time to start painting. First, start with a sea-glass coloured jelly nail polish–sea green and aquamarine are great choices. Then, finish them off with a matte topcoat to complete that look of glass that has been smoothed by the ocean!

2. French Tips on Negative Space

If you love a DIY manicure but hate having to redo your nails every week, this trend is going to be perfect for you. Nail art created on negative space (nude, unpainted nails) is growing in popularity, in part because your nails still look polished even as they grow out.

The easiest way to get that complete look on negative space is to go with the classic french tip. To make it 2021-approved, make sure your french tips are really eye-catching. Metallics are a great way to go here, particularly yellow and rose gold.

3. Throw-Back Press-On Stickers

Everyone loves a good nostalgia moment, and 90s graphics are back, baby! Look for press-on stickers that pay homage to 90s kiddie fashion for this cute throw-back look.

In particular, we’re really loving the classic 90s smiley face. Remember, these smiley faces are most often yellow, so you’re going to want to apply these stickers to a nude nail or a polish color that complements yellow–like bright blue, hot pink, or grass green.

4. DIY Gel Nails

If you’re looking for a nail that can keep you looking professional at work but trendy at night, it’s time to master the art of the gel manicure. Gel manicures provide for the most polish when it comes to DIY nail art. Plus, gel polishes are long-lasting and come in a wide variety of colors.

The best way to get that gel manicure at home? Try out the SNS Nails Coloured Dipping Powder for a true salon-caliber look. 

5. Airbrush Nails

Speaking of throw-backs, remember when airbrushed t-shirts, sweatshirts, and trucker hats were all the rage? You could find them for sale on just about any boardwalk and we’re craving that light-hearted, beachy vibe. Lucky for us, airbrushing is back and this time, it’s making waves in nail art.

Airbrush nails are super colorful and girly. The patterns are swirly and packed with hearts, flowers, and other fun shapes. Because this is a more complicated look to achieve, you might want to start with some pre-designed press-on nails–and when it comes to the airbrushed look, the longer the better!

6. The Classic Mix and Match With a Twist

Chances are, when you were little you absolutely loved painting your nails all different colors. In 2021, the mix and match trend is coming back but this time, it’s a little bit more sophisticated.

Rather than just grabbing every nail polish you own and creating a mishmash of colors, the new mix and match trend is all about gorgeous color palettes. Some of our favorites include cool pastel tones for spring, bright and fruity shades of pink and orange for summer, and a combination of browns and yellows for fall. Think about color gradients for this trend and make your mix and match nails vibe together perfectly!

7. Textured Nail Art

If you’re ready for something truly unique and wild, you’re going to love the textured nail art trend. These textures range from subtle and minimalist to absolutely eye-catching. All you need is some press-on jewels, textured silicone, or other trinkets that will glue well to your nails. Then, grab some nail glue and start layering.

If you’re going for cutesy, miniature silicone bows will look perfect just above your nailbeds. If you want something glamorous but understated, small rhinestones will look gorgeous on your manicure. If you’re ready to embrace the glitz of 2021, you can find more glue-on nail jewels and gemstones than ever before!

Up Your At-Home Manicure Game With These Unique Nails

If you’re passionate about your at-home manicures, we don’t blame you. Keeping things fun and stylish by trying out new nail trends is a great way to embrace your creativity and elevate every look. With these seven trends for unique nails, you can take your at-home manicure game to a whole new level!

Do you want to know more about the latest trends and fashion guides? Take a look around and find out what your favourite designers are up to, what your favourite celebrities are wearing, and how you can keep your own fashion game on par without breaking the bank.