In 2022, masters are increasingly paying attention to elegant manicure, coming up with new ways to present such a laconic nail design effectively and fashionably. Of course, it’s worth taking a closer look at universal monochromatic ideas that will fit into the aesthetics of everyday, business and sports sets. Want a more complex solution? You can pair the beige base with a second shade in rich/light shades - for contrast, maximally reflecting your individuality. As an example: gray + white.
What other gentle and beautiful ideas for an elegant manicure are fashionable to choose? We offer photos and an overview of current ideas.
Elegant French 2022
This season, the French coat can be not only with a white border, but also with a black or golden one; it can be made glossy or matte, on longer or shorter nails of different shapes. There is no single requirement for the shape; you choose what is dear to your heart, from a simple rectangle to trapezoidal nails. A curious innovation is a vertical stripe, a black graphic or golden line.
Metallic and mother of pearl
Coatings that imitate metal have been popular for several years. Especially polishes with shades of silver and rose gold.
However, a metallic effect can be created by using other colors. For an elegant manicure, it is better to choose black metallic, green and dark blue. To create a glossy metal plate, special rubbing agents are used.
It is better to select only some plates in this way. And on the rest, use matte varnish of the same color or neutral nude colors.
A pearlescent coating is created in a similar way. This option is more gentle and neutral.
New elegant manicure 2022
About 10 years ago, colored manicure automatically fell out of the “elegant” category. Only a short jacket, moonlit, discreet nude or pink could be elegant. And, as a last resort, muted red or brown, berry. Today, even a multi-colored manicure can look elegant if you place the accents correctly and choose the same colors.
What do designers say about the 2022 trends?
Chic, shine and more shine. Varnishes with glitter and shimmer help create designs that literally and figuratively dazzle the eyes of admiring people.
Designers advise using every opportunity to make your nails shine and glow. Stickers with a mirror effect and rhinestones with shimmer will look great.
As proof of this - a photo of an elegant manicure in the most famous fashion publications today. This is not to say that this is such a new trend, but now it is acquiring fresh and even more legitimized power.
New design ideas include incredible combinations of shimmer bases with pieces of gold or silver foil, figured jewelry or a small amount of small rhinestones.
In this design, the nails will have the effect of melting metal, which will definitely attract a considerable number of glances.
This season is just the case when, if you want to stand out, do a calm manicure - you will definitely be considered informal.
Recommendations for elegant colors
As for colors, berry colors (red-brown) are still in fashion, as is pure red, which looks especially noble on short nails. Pay attention to milky, purple, beige and sky blue. A good idea is to paint different nails like an eyeshadow palette, with shades going from light to dark. And, of course, do not forget about the discreet shine and graphic combinations of minimalist colors - black, white, beige, trendy gray and light yellow.
Marble design
A variety of marble patterns on nails fit very well into the image of a confident, stylish and elegant woman. And despite the fact that such a manicure is still on the list of new products, a considerable number of visitors to nail salons managed to appreciate and love it. Fascinating patterns imitating marble patterns look quite discreet and therefore can be made in different color combinations. These can be either dark drawings on a light or white background, or a completely opposite picture. Particularly impressive are images in which the base and design differ from each other by only a few tones. As for decoration, it is better to give preference to small sparkles of glitter, which can take part in drawing streaks, pieces of foil on one or two nails, or several pebbles decorating the nail plate with a marble pattern in a chaotic manner.
Elegant manicure is not only the ideas proposed in our publication. Here you can confidently add elements from the “negative space” series, cute drawings in the minimalist style, stylish flowers on the accent nail and many other proposals. Taking as a basis the main features of an elegant manicure, you can easily create your own design, because every woman is naturally endowed with a sense of style. Elegance is not only about appearance. First of all, this is the state of mind of each of you.
Fashion trends for elegant designs 2022
- There is special attention here to new techniques that do not look too “pop”: brush strokes, manicure with rubbing, aqua art.
- And restrained designs, especially geometric and abstract ones.
- Be sure to try painting, slider and stamping techniques.
- Nail art on one hand and plain on the other.
- Discreet shine is quite acceptable - from gold or silver foil to small amounts of rhinestones.
- A French manicure can shine with an iridescent strip along the edge.
Equipment and accessories necessary for manicure
When performing a trim manicure you will need:
- bath with warm water;
- a roller, the client places his brush on it, it can have different shapes;
- special lint-free wipes that are used to treat the nail plate before applying the coating;
- sticks made of orange wood; before cutting, the cuticle and ptegria are moved back with their help;
- nippers, one of the types of manicure scissors, are used to trim dead skin, cuticles and hangnails;
- nail files, which are used to shape the nail and are used for polishing;
- brushes, they are used to remove the formed dust from the surface, this is done to ensure uniformity of the subsequent coating.
Elegant gentle manicure
By choosing a nude manicure, pink, peach shades, as well as milky, exquisite sand and beige, you are choosing tenderness. But this does not mean that you have to do without decorative accents. For example, techniques such as applying the thinnest foil look quite restrained. Especially if you apply it to one or two fingers, and not to all your nails.
Floral or botanical design
Delicate flowers or leaves on your nails are a great option for a day in the park, a picnic or a date night. For a more subtle look, the background can be pale pink, cream or light blue. For a more daring manicure, it is recommended to use black, emerald and burgundy colors.
Beautiful elegant manicure
Don't forget about the popular lunar manicure and such a technique as negative space - there is a huge scope for experimentation. Matte surfaces in moon manicure are especially good.
Manicure autumn-winter 2022
Particular attention is paid to the milk and coffee-chocolate palette, to match the main colors of the cold season. Don't forget about deep blue and berry manicure.
Manicure spring-summer 2022
The various combinations of delicate pastel shades are especially good here: not contrasting and sharp, but delicate, like milky with beige and pink with blue. Or a very thin stencil on a dark green marigold - just one petal will be more expressive than the whole “Khokhloma”.
Dark deep colors
This category includes dark greens (such as malachite), blues, greys, burgundies and purples. This manicure looks especially impressive on people with pale or, on the contrary, dark skin.
The only thing is that owners of wide and short nails should be more careful with dark shades. In this case, such a design may look rough.
Elegant manicure ideas depending on the length of your nails
It is clear that moon manicure, negative space, and some types of French manicure are especially good for long lengths. But short nails also have their advantages.
Short nails
The main thing here is to avoid being overloaded with color and decor, with all kinds of techniques - especially if we are talking about elegance. It is better to choose a soft shape - an oval, a soft square. If you want to emphasize that your nails are short, then choose darker colors - especially red and black. Accordingly, beige, light tones and shine will add length. Choose the mirror option. Try a marble design or a trendy quail egg style.
Medium nails
Perhaps in the most advantageous position. You can do everything that is possible and shown for long and short nails, as well as all sorts of delights of a French manicure - not just a straight or slightly oval stripe, but narrow, slightly wavy stripes, similar to brackets. Try an angular design.
Long nails
Here you can play with the shape to your heart’s content: almond-shaped-sharp, oval, almost rectangular and narrowed trapezoid. Yours is a gradient, the most sophisticated and bold nail art. Just remember the sense of proportion! We're talking about elegance here.
White or black colors
This solution is perfect for fans of minimalist nail art. This sophisticated and stylish design will be a beautiful addition to any look. These two colors can be combined. Then the image will be more vibrant. In the spirit of Chanel or Dior from the 1960s.
Note: black color looks more elegant on long nails. On short ones it will look more daring and bold. To create a more elegant manicure for short nails, you can use a dark gray color.
Gradient elegant manicure
The horizontal technique is most common, but how interesting, especially on short nails, is the vertical technique! Try it, it will visually lengthen them and it’s unusual. Naturally, tone transitions should not be too abrupt. With acrylic sand, this manicure creates a marmalade effect - very good in pastel colors in the summer.
Noble gray tone is another king of classic manicure
This shade is suitable for all looks and styles, any tone of clothing, makeup. Gray looks elegant. It is not necessary to embody the monochrome trend with gray varnish.
You can play with the transitions of tones using the gradient technique, or paint the nails on your ring fingers in one of the pastel colors. This is especially appropriate when a classic manicure is performed with gray gel polish. You won’t get tired of this for a long time and, if desired, it can be complemented with any type of nail design.
Elegant nude manicure
Here we recommend, for example, a French ombre in nude tones - it will be very unusual: a gradual transition from the beige base of the nail to the white edge. And, of course, negative space, marble and moon manicure.
Before and after selection
The before and after collection clearly shows the results that the trimmed manicure technique can produce.
Elegant nail designs
The most elegant designs will be minimalistic - this applies to both color and decor. But do not exclude floral patterns and stamping plots.
Geometry
Geometric patterns are an elegant alternative to a plain manicure. This is a modern solution for nail art lovers. Trending colors for 2022 are gray, pink, white and mint.
Circles, rhombuses, rectangles, all kinds of lines - from all this you can create a variety of designs and ornaments. The only limitation is imagination.
Manicure elegant holiday design
A manicure with glitter and rubbing, as well as gold leaf, rhinestones and sparkles will be indispensable here. One or two nails that stand out with a bolder design against a background of quite noble shades is a good choice.
Gradient
Manicure designs with spectacular smooth transitions from one shade to another have long won the hearts of beautiful ladies and today they still remain popular and in demand. What is the secret of such increased attention from the fair sex? Everything is very simple. The essence of a gradient manicure is to blur the boundaries between several shades, which are applied to the nail plate in the form of stripes. No other technique has such smooth and gentle transitions. To create such beauty, use calm, muted shades or choose an interesting combination of pastel colors. The ideal complement to sophisticated transitions will be neat designs in the form of modest branches or soft flowers, as well as the pearly or pearly shine of the rub, an arc of small crystals in the root zone and other laconic proposals.
Photos and ideas: elegant manicure 2022 on short and long nails
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What about the color schemes?
Be the first to amaze everyone and make yourself a pastel matte base with white or matching lettering.
We recommend reading:
- Minimalist manicure: 145 photos of top ideas for fashionable and beautiful manicure designs
- Shellac manicure: design options, design features and application technology (140 photos)
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Unfinished phrases with an ellipsis at the end look interesting. Remember the charm of foreign languages - words written in Latin or Chinese characters produce a more mysterious effect.
In general, the color scheme is a pleasant combination of coffee, milk and caramel, skillfully emphasized by brilliant decor. Creative solutions are also interesting, for example, like a computer keyboard, teeth or a set of screwdrivers.
Shape and length
Let's start with the basics - the shape and length of the manicure, which looks expensive. Below are a few basic rules in this regard:
- “Soft square” or “oval” shapes look appropriate in any situation. Both involve minimal changes to the natural shape of the nail, making them look natural and therefore elegant.
- Long nails are acceptable, but you should be careful with them - for example, an almond shape in this case will look cool, but a square can often look provocative. Stilettos, ballerinas and other fancy shapes are difficult to play up so that the manicure looks expensive.
- Remember that one of the main criteria for the “high cost” of a manicure is its naturalness. Emphasize the natural shape of your nail by making it a little smoother - this will be the ideal solution in your case.
Important! Today, what looks natural looks chic and expensive, even if a lot of manipulation has been done to achieve this. Think about the current trends in makeup or clothing: nowadays, relaxation and naturalness are valued, as if you tried very hard, but you are still beautiful. This principle should also be used in manicure if you want it to look expensive.
Expensive manicure styles
However, it is not enough to choose a color scheme for decorating your nails. It is necessary to carefully select the style in which the design will be made with the listed colors. Now this is not a problem, because the photos presented here will help you decide as quickly as possible.
However, it also doesn’t hurt to know the rules for choosing a style for a dear woman’s manicure. Moreover, they do not always imply large expenses or guarantee the impeccability of any image.
Nude modesty
We can say that nude manicure is now the most relevant and universal, as it will look luxurious with any outfit, regardless of the status or age of the wearer. It involves a neat natural shape of the nails, a short length and the use of varnishes in discreet shades.
Gray-beige, lilac-beige or pink-beige tones should be considered win-win options.
However, when performing such a manicure, the master should be extremely careful and not leave gaps in the coating. After all, a nude style will reveal any - even the smallest - flaw in the design.
Luxurious minimalism
There is no need to be afraid of looking too modest and not original. After all, an expensive-looking design means a minimum amount of decoration or design. And in this case, a geometric pattern or small splashes of sparkles on one of the nails will do.
In addition, the advantage of the minimalist style is that it suits a wide variety of ladies’ looks. Minimalism in nail design does not limit the wearer in choosing colors for a manicure. The main thing is to use no more than 3 colors at a time.
Universal jacket
This design style can be classified as either nude or minimalist design. After all, it is mainly done with beige, milky, pink or even transparent varnish in combination with white and is not full of too bright patterns.
French manicure always looks stylish and well-groomed. In addition, this design does not distract attention from wrist jewelry, which speaks much louder about its expensive status.
However, if you really want some shine, then you can complement your jacket with a thin strip of sparkles at the top of the nail plate or beautiful stones on one of the nails.
Noble matte
Matte manicure looks very seasoned, stylish and expensive. It creates the appearance of velvet on the nails, which gives a woman's hands a luxurious look. Especially if the matte finish is done on red, black or any of the nude nail polish colors.
The matte design can be complemented without fear with shiny decorations. The absence of a glossy shine will focus attention specifically on the decorative design and nobility of the manicure as a whole. The matte style is suitable for ladies of business professions or lovers of a classic style of clothing.
Manicure with “sweets”
Sweets and lollipops, cakes and fruits, strawberries and marmalades - what could be more seductive than such designs on nails?
The only pity is that manicure with sweets is more relevant for the warm season and for young women. After all, it symbolizes a certain carelessness in the image and fun.
This design can be done using stickers, drawings or modeling. If you yourself decide to diversify your image with such a design, then the easiest way would be to purchase the appropriate stickers. But, of course, modeling or at least a drawing looks more impressive.
Glitter foil
Decorating with foil is one of the simplest and most win-win options for an expensive manicure. Foil combines beautifully with jewelry made from different precious metals and can be used on several nails of one hand.
The main rule: use a single-color coating for the base and do not complement foil nails with other decor.
"Broken glass"
You could say it's a variation of foil art, except with sharper outlines and a holographic sheen. The geometric shapes of the pieces can be laid out randomly or in the form of a specific pattern.
In summer, the “broken glass” style is more noticeable, as the abundance of sunlight makes the marigolds especially shiny.
This coating goes well with any color and even with a transparent coating. And the “broken glass” manicure has no age restrictions and can be easily performed by the future wearer independently.
Fashionable rhinestones
The use of rhinestones in manicure always focuses attention on ladies' hands. Moreover, whether it is a nude design with a couple of stones or a green one with rhinestones - in each case the manicure will look advantageous in its own way.
Sparkles in nail design are an ideal addition to an evening, festive look.
Moreover, this type of decor perfectly hides unevenness of the nail plate and other defects.
The only drawback of a manicure with rhinestones is its volume. Pebbles can cling to clothing or hair, so it is better to use two layers of topcoat over the rhinestones.
Exquisite shine
Glitter looks no less impressive and feminine on nails. But they, unlike rhinestones, can complement the picture, be used in a minimalist style or in a stretched style, and also form beautiful lines of the picture on their own. The main thing is to know when to use this decor in moderation, so as not to blind your interlocutor with excessive shine.
Fashion trends do not prohibit the use of glitter in everyday manicure. However, there is nothing more luxurious than shiny nails combined with evening dresses and holiday looks.
Gold Accents
The golden color itself looks expensive and rich in any form, be it accessories, clothing or manicure. However, it is better not to complement gold plating with rhinestones or sparkles. Unless, of course, you use other colors in your nail design.
Gold goes perfectly with all dark tones: black, burgundy, malachite or dark chocolate.
You can decorate the listed shades with gold foil, rhinestones and gold sparkles.
Gold sparkles in the form of glitter will refresh a lunar manicure in nude shades. A luxurious tandem will be a combination of matte finish with gold decor. And fantasy lovers will certainly appreciate the golden touch.
Marble stains
One of the unusual options for fashionable manicure is the marble style. It looks unobtrusively on all nails at the same time and is an excellent addition to a single-color coating on 2 or 3 fingers. The marble design will be appreciated by lovers of discreet and democratic nail art.
However, marble patterns can be supplemented with shiny threads and stripes, which will certainly enliven the calm ornament. And this design will suit nails of any length and shape.
Floral motifs
Drawings with flowers and petals, tree branches and leaves will enliven the nail coating of any color in any season. This design can be made in bright colors or plain black paint, which best matches the cold months of the year or the girl’s discreet image.
Ready-made stickers can be used to perform herbal manicure. But real dried flowers look especially impressive. They are most popular for artificial nails, when when making an acrylic aquarium, a dried flower is placed inside an artificial coating.
One way or another, any carefully executed and carefully selected design will make a woman’s look sophisticated, well-groomed and fashionable. But it is precisely such a lady who looks expensive and luxurious under any circumstances and at any age.
