In the name of spotting what’s next in beauty, I squeeze myself into a chaotic backstage corner surrounded by the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen, a million nail polish bottles, and a maze of extension cords. Going backstage at New York Fashion Week is one of the most important aspects of my job, as I’m chatting with manicurists, getting a first look at the sets before they hit the runway, and connecting the dots to figure out which designs will actually define the season ahead. For spring, that meant pearl accents, soap nails, and nail jewelry.
While the fashion is always shown a full six months early, nail trends aren’t nearly as tied to the calendar—anything we’re seeing backstage right now can be brought straight into your next salon appointment (or DIY night). So even if these looks were styled with heavy coats and boots, they’ll feel just as right with your breezy layers and open-toe shoes.
Ahead, the biggest spring nail trends we spotted backstage at New York Fashion Week (yes, they’re actually wearable) plus exactly how to get the look yourself.
Bare Nails 
“Everyone’s doing a clean look,” says nail artist Erika De Los Santos, who did a sheer nail for the ALTUZARRA show. “I chose Lights Lacquer for this look because their sheers are amazing and complement every skin color.” She used a handful of different shades depending on the models’ skin tone. “If the skin is throwing out more pink tones, then we’ll opt for a sheer neutral pink. If their skin is deeper, then I’ll choose a darker sheer brown.”
Nail Jewelry
I guess I’m not the only one with Charli xcx’s “Chains of Love” on repeat. But at both Alice + Olivia and Bronx and Banco (pictured above), models sported more than just necklaces and earrings. They actually had jewelry on their nails, too. While a long chain dangling from your nails isn’t the most practical (“sorry, I didn’t get to your email, my nail chains were in the way”), a pierced or chain moment that’s delegated to just your nail bed achieves this trend, too.
Earth Tones
Muted hues—like this chocolate brown at Anna Sui—feel grounding and soft for spring. And they pair especially well with short nails that you’re trying to grow out (like, say, if you’ve had on gels or dip powder for too long). To keep your nails healthy underneath, start with a nail strengthener as a base, then make sure to finish everything off with an ultra-shiny top coat to prevent chips.
Pink Satin
Although most soap nails are white and milky, these—done by nail artist Holly Falcone for Sandy Liang—have a brighter base but still pack in the glassy, translucent finish that gives the look of silky pink satin sheets. The added French tip here makes an otherwise plain nail feel special (what Falcone called “ribbon trim for your nails”). For all the sheer, pinky neutrals, Falcone used her own brand, Celisse, in shades Vanity, Babydoll, and Camisole, as well as an unreleased pearly pink.
Mother of Pearl Mani
As if the blue-tinged opalescent finish of this nail look wasn’t already feeling mermaid-y, the added pearl accent did us in. For the Alice + Olivia show, celebrity nail artist Miss Pop took inspo from the greige tones of the early ’90s. She opted for Sally Hansen Miracle Gel in Boss Babe (it offers a chromatic finish without the need for UV curing), then attached the pearl charm with press-on glue, making this entire look so DIY-friendly.
Liquid Gold
Chrome is cool and all, but true gold leaf is so damn shiny and opulent. Case in point: This gilded mani from the Alice + Olivia show. Miss Pop actually used black press-on nails from Sally Hansen, then painted on a top coat and patted down gold leaf flakes. So if you’re not all that talented with a nail polish brush (me), don’t worry.
Meet the experts: Miss Pop is a celebrity nail artist based in New York, NY. Erika De Los Santos is a nail artist based in New York, NY. Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with more than seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing nail stories.
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Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you “have to try.” Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair ‘do every few months.
