Bow nails are the new must-have manicure

bow nail trend

Credit: Getty

Beauty


Bow nails are the new must-have manicure

By Jess Bacon

6 months ago

2 min read

There’s a new nail trend on the rise: bow nails. Delicate and feminine, read on to learn more about the hottest new nail trend and find some much-needed photo inspiration… 


With the rise of the girly girl and the subsequent coquette aesthetic, it’s no surprise that bow nails are gaining momentum.

Hair bows have been a must-have accessory this year, and now the playful trend has evolved to include painting bows – big or small – on your nails as an accent feature crafted from polish, decals or gems. Dainty and delightful, the look can be adjusted to create a bold, bright design or a subtle, sweet finish.

Tinu Bello, manicurist and senior ambassador at Mylee, is on hand to help you nail the look either at home or in the salon.

“Bow nails have become popular for good reason, thanks to their visual aesthetic and versatility,” Bello says. “Known for adding a flair of femininity and elegance to your mani, bows make a statement while maintaining a sense of delicacy and softness.”

There are several ways to achieve the look: weave subtle bows in with your French tips, pair them boldly with some leopard print or add dimension with a 3D bow charm. 

“You can create bow nails using 3D embellishments, which add texture and dimension to your nails and make them stand out,” Bello says. “Alternatively, you can hand-paint bows onto the nails, which does give a flattering look, and the design can be customised for a playful or elegant design.”

Either way, Bello insists that the most important part of the process – especially if you’re trying out the style at home – is preparing the nails. 

“Begin prepping your nails by filing, buffing and applying a base coat,” she says, “Once the base coat is cured, apply two coats of your chosen polish colour, curing each layer as needed.

“For the bow design, you can either freehand small bows with a thin nail art brush or use bow-shaped stickers. Then apply a top coat for a more durable finish.”

At the salon, it’s always best to come prepared with photo inspiration to help your nail artist know the exact style you’re looking for. We’ve compiled a few of our favourite looks below.

Bow nail photo inspiration 

Images: Getty

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