While we live for the fashion during fashion month, we also love studying the latest hair and makeup trends the four fashion capitals have to offer. But no runway beauty look is complete without notice-me nail art.
The Spring 2020 shows in New York, London, Milan and Paris made one thing clear: French manicures are staging a comeback. From colorful tips to double lines, almost every single day of fashion month brought a new twist on the classic technique.
But it wasn’t all about the French. Graphic nail art featuring high-contrast colors and sharp lines also ruled the runways. Fans of jelly nails will be happy to hear that clear, false nails and transparent coats of nail polish were pretty popular. When it came to shapes, extra-long stiletto talons and square nails led the pack.
Scroll through the slideshow above to see the best nail trends from the Spring 2020 shows.
Spring 2020 Nail Trends
OTT Embellishment
The bling nail art at GCDS (almost) distracted from the creepy-cool contacts. Some manicures were jazzed up with rhinestones, while others received logo nail piercings like this white set.
Image: Imaxtree
OTT Embellishment
Julien Macdonald always brings the glamour and for Spring 2020 that glamour extended down to the glittery, #glamazon manicures CND brand ambassador Marian Newman created. There was all manner of embellishment and holographic shine, but the most extra mani featured silver nails topped with chain tassels.
Image: Imaxtree
OTT Embellishment
Everything was blinged out to the max at Area, including accessories and faces. Naomi Yasuda painstakingly decorated digits with diamantés to create crystal flowers.
Image: Imaxtree
OTT Embellishment
The Bibhu Mohapatra Spring 2020 show bought a little something extra to the classic French manicure. Naomi Yasuda complemented the different metallic tips with dangling chain accents.
Image: Imaxtree
Modern French
At Tadashi Shoji, French manis featured wavy lines for the contrasting tips. Nail artist Evelyn Lim used Àuda.B The First Lady ($18) on the ends.
Image: Imaxtree
Modern French
The eyes and nails were fire at Nicole Miller. Shades of red, orange, pink and yellow decorated the tips of the playful French mani.
Image: Imaxtree
Modern French
Things got curvy at Courrèges with yellow-orange and white outlines on three sides of nails. The black base lent a moodier, graphic finish.
Image: Imaxtree
Modern French
The French manis at Oscar de la Renta involved a Creamsicle twist. Miss Pop complemented models' skin tones with neutral bases and warm pastels. Here, Zoya Nail Polish in Arizona ($10) was used on the tips and to add dots on the moons.
Image: Imaxtree
Transparent Touch
True to form, the Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood show had a bit of everything. That included a dynamic layered manicure featuring clear nails, swatches of glitter and bold nail polishes.
Image: Imaxtree
Transparent Touch
Marian Newman continued to work her manicure magic at Halpern. The CND ambassador translated the Studio 54-inspired spring collection into exaggerated chrome moons against crystal clear tips for a reverse French manicure.
Image: Imaxtree
Transparent Touch
Anyone who loves logomania and jelly nails will be living for the manicures at Chromat which combined both trends. Yes, there was also a French mani version.
Image: Imaxtree
Transparent Touch
Clear nails at Paula Knorr were bedazzled with glitter waterfalls, gold leaf detailing and tiny flowers courtesy of Bluesky Cosmetics.
Image: Courtesy of Bluesky Cosmetics
Sharp Shapes
Anyone who considers neutral nails basic should see the extreme stiletto nails at Tom Ford. The muted pink nail polish was flattering to a range of skin tones and juxtaposed the deadly shape. Nail artist Mei Kawajiri slicked nails with Tom Ford Nail Lacquer in Mink Brule ($37).
Image: Imaxtree
Sharp Shapes
The nail shape at Marta Jakubowski was a cool blend of almond and stiletto. And the periwinkle color was perfect for spring.
Image: Imaxtree
Sharp Shapes
Kro Vargas created the extra nails for Lou Dallas. The square, talon-like claws provided enough space for the embellishments, intricate details and patterns. The OTT nails were topped with chains and dangling clouds.
Image: Imaxtree
Sharp Shapes
The nail art at Adeam represented the season with a mint tip French mani, pearly embellishments and a pointy almond shape.
Image: Imaxtree
Go Graphic
Forget rhinestone tears because the monochromatic nail art at I Love Pretty was equally stunning. There were sparkling accent nails combined with high-contrast, white-and-black digits.
Image: Imaxtree
Go Graphic
We could call the nail art at Ulla Johnson another take on the French mani with those partially squared-off outlines. Paintbox Creative Director Mabelyn Martin chose terracotta and deep moss green accent colors to play off the collection.
Image: Imaxtree
Go Graphic
The black-and-white color scheme and split nails at Koché resulted in a mod French mani design.
Image: Imaxtree
Go Graphic
Marian Newman brilliantly coordinated the nails to the jewelry at Roland Mouret for a striking effect. The hypnotic strokes of bold colors tied in beautifully with the agate, lapis and fordite stones.
Image: Imaxtree
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