Slowly, but surely, ‘90s style has been making a major comeback for a few years now. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, mom jeans and bucket hats are once again must-haves and brown liners and nude eyeshadow palettes have crept back into makeup bags. The decade marked so many iconic moments in fashion and beauty and birthed trends that are so much fun to recreate. Nothing beats that feeling of nostalgia that washes over you when you channel Cher Horowitz with a bright monochromic fit or emulate Nia Long while sporting a cute pixie cut.
This summer, the bold and bright ‘90s aesthetics you know and love are making their way to your fingertips. “The ‘90s have been a huge influence in style for a while now and we are seeing it in nails a lot more,” says nail artist Liam Peter. “I see the ‘90s influence in the growing use of sheer colors, frosty metallics, and shimmers.” Sigourney Nuñez, North America Education Manager at OPI, also says the ‘90s are making a comeback via nail art. “The ‘90s are inspiring nail trends in terms of iconic symbols like graphic stars, smiley faces, and even bold flowers,” she says. “The ‘90s were also a time when people weren’t afraid to express themselves through color and the trend is coming back.”
Need some ideas? Read on for seven ‘90s-inspired nail art designs that’ll have you reliving your childhood.
1
Chunky Glitter Nails
Move over minimalist shine — chunky glitter is back and better than ever. The best parts? It’ll remind you of the body glitter you used to slather on and it’s super easy to do at home. Just grab a polish with large glitter flecks (OPI and JINSoon make great ones) and swipe away.
2
Smiley Face Nails
Looking for a mood-boosting manicure to try this summer? Smiley face details will put a grin on your face every time you see them. If you’re not the most talented in the nail art department, take a shortcut with easy, stick-on decals.
3
Jelly Nails
Jelly anything and everything is so ‘90s. Add abstract lines and, if you’re feeling daring, wear a different color on each hand.
4
Animal Print Nails
Nothing is as fierce as animal print, so it only makes sense to introduce these timeless patterns to your nails. Incorporating them in unexpected ways — like on your tips for a new take on a French manicure — is the way to go this summer.
5
Tie-Dye Nails
lIf you grew up in the ‘90s, chances are you had a ton of tie-dye (and might have indulged in more than a few DIYs). This psychedelic pattern was all the rage back then, and today, it’s all about the tie-dye manicure. Just look at how fresh and fab it looks on Kylie Jenner.
7
Color Block Nails
A sure way to make a statement, color blocking is a fun and chic way to introduce bold colors into your look. Neon shades are always a good move for the warmer weather, so try using several of your favorite bright hues when you give this nail art a try.
