Swirl nails, ripple nails, whoa-that-looks-like-water nails — whatever you call ‘em is fine, just as long as you’re talking about them for 2024. As we head into the new year, these twirly, swirly nails can be found on virtually every artist’s IG grid, and for good reason: They’re an easy way to play around with bright color combos, without requiring a perfectly steady hand.
“I’m a huge fan of bold, contrasting nail shades, so I love seeing them paired together in swirl designs, as they tend to ‘pop’ a bit more,” says Portland-based nail artist Brittney Ellen. “You can experiment with groovy swirls, abstract swirls, psychedelic swirls, and textured swirls — really, it’s just about expressing your personality and mood with these types of designs.”
Every artist has a different technique for creating their swirls (Ellen prefers to carefully draw them on with a nail brush, while Kandalec likes to use Gelish Blooming Gel for a marbled effect). Regardless of the technique, make sure to use “a generous amount of topcoat,” says Ellen, to prevent the design from bleeding and smudging at the end. “I’ve noticed that when a brush doesn’t have enough topcoat on it, it touches the design and tends to ‘pull’ the polish and create ridges.” She likes to use UNT’s Base and Top Coat to finish off her swirls, but you can also try the high-shine, long-lasting Essie Gel Setter Topcoat (it’s so good, it’s won an Allure Best of Beauty award three times).
Aura nail art
Instagram / @brushedbyb_