The 4 Chicest Nail Trends Right Now

When it comes to forecasting the next big manicure moment, few do it with the authority of Zola Ganzorigt. The celebrity nail artist counts Sabrina Carpenter, Sydney Sweeney, Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber among her clients – and is behind some of the most viral manicures on red carpets and Instagram feeds alike. Which is precisely why it’s worth paying attention when she notes that, as we move into spring, there’s a clear return to chic, elevated basics. “Most of my clients are requesting neutral, sheer nails lately,” she affirms. Here, she breaks down the must-have shade of the season and the three neutral trends dominating right now…

The trends defining the season are rooted in simplicity: sheer washes of color, ultra-glossy finishes and softly squared shapes that feel clean and modern. One shade in particular has become Ganzorigt’s go-to: a new neutral hue from OPI called I’m A Bubble Bunny, inspired by a blend of the brand’s cult favorite shades, Bubble Bath and Funny Bunny. The result is a sheer milky-pink blend that is ultra-flattering for all nail and skin tones. Thin layers and a high-shine top coat are key when applying it as it’s the translucency that makes this shade feels so fresh and modern.

Yes, they’re still going strong. Popularized by Hailey Bieber and now a constant request in Ganzorigt’s chair, the pearlescent finish of this nail look is widely considered the new standard for a classic style. “Glazed donut nails are the new French manicure for so many of my clients,” explains Ganzorigt. “I get requests all the time.” The look’s appeal lies in its versatility and ease: “Start with a semi-sheer base (think soft pinks or barely-there nudes), followed by a no-wipe top coat – a type of gel polish that seals a manicure with a high-gloss finish without leaving the sticky residue you get with traditional gel polish. “Next, apply a veil of chrome powder to create that signature luminous sheen and finish with another layer of the no-wipe top coat to seal everything in.”

If you love a classic French manicure, the vanilla French is your new-season spin. Softer than the traditional white tip, this current iteration swaps stark brightness for creamy, off-white tones. “Vanilla French is a classic, soft-neutral nail that my customers are requesting more and more,” she says. To get the look, start with a sheer neutral base, then paint the tips in a creamy off-white rather than bright-white, keeping the line thin and delicate for a modern finish. If you want a little more ‘flash’, consider a soft pearly metallic on the tips instead, says Ganzorigt, as she did for Sabrina Carpenter at the Grammys using OPI’s Kyoto Pearl – a muted white-silver shade that catches the light without overpowering the look.

While nudes are leading the charge, playing with texture and dimension are ideal for adding a little more interest to nails this season. “Chromes and cat eyes aren’t going away,” affirms Ganzorigt. “The key is keeping the base neutral and experimenting with the finish.” Take the minimalist nude and silver-patterned manicure she created for Kelsea Ballerini at the Grammys: “It looks complicated but it’s actually pretty easy to recreate,” she reveals. She began with a neutral cat-eye magnetic polish to create depth, then layered on varying shapes of silver detailing and tiny rhinestones across each nail for more dimension. To try it yourself, use a fine nail-art brush to add the subtle silver accents overtop of a cat-eye polish, finishing with a few strategically placed rhinestones before sealing everything with a glossy top coat to finish.