Just when I think I’ve tried every nail trend imaginable and scrolled through enough designs to have my manicure inspiration set for the rest of my life, a new one comes along and has me booking a new appointment. Most recently, it’s been the rise of velvet nails. These regal-looking, reflective manicures have been popping up all over my feed lately, and they’re designed to make your fingertips look like literal jewels, and can even feature autumnal colorways and seasonal hues.
Ahead, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about velvet nails, including how to DIY them and tips from nail artist Ramon Duran (@craftedbyaprince) on achieving the trending manicure look. Velvet nails use cat-eye polish to create a depth effect that shifts in the light, giving your manicure a sheen that emulates the soft texture of the luxe fabric. The magnetic pigment (more on how to DIY it below) makes the polish look lustrous and gemstone-like.
When using lighter polishes, velvet nails transform into a whimsical and ethereal look, whereas with deeper shades, like emerald, burgundy, or midnight purple, the finish feels especially rich and gives your nails a jewel-esque ornateness. First, start by grooming and shaping the nail, then apply and cure a base coat if you’re using gel. Next, paint on one or two coats (depending on your desired opacity and what the specific polish brand calls for) of a cat-eye polish.
Before curing your final coat, hold a magnet close to the wet polish and move the pigment around. Keep scrolling for tons of velvet nail inspiration that will turn your fingertips into a regal masterpiece. Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things nails—from the latest polish launches to new design trends.
For this story, she chatted with Duran for all his insight on DIYing velvet nails, plus found inspiration for a variety of takes on velvet nails. Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts.
You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
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