All The Ombre Nail Inspiration You Need To Upgrade Your Autumn Mani
Whether you're a fan of milky nudes, paired-up pastels or bold mixed metallics, an ombre nail has long been hailed for its ability to dial up any mundane manicure effortlessly. An evolution of the classic French tip, the ombre nail movement has shown no signs of fading in recent years and the AW24 catwalk solidified its presence as a an evergreen beauty failsafe. The best part? This colour-shifting mani works with practically any complimentary tones, finish (hello, chrome nails) and nail shape - including the ultra-short. Plus, you can chop and change it with the seasons.
Our go-to for Autumn? A blend of warm honey and toasted cappuccino shades (we're looking at you, Hailey Bieber. Maple syrup tips incoming...)
What are ombre nails?
According to NUKA nail founders Kadimah Aaliyah and Anouska Anastasia, ombre nail art involves blending different shades to trick your visual perception and 'create an illusion of colours fading into each other.'
While ombre offers up an endless choice of colour combinations, a word to the wise: there are some shades that won't look so great together. 'Don’t put clashing colours next to each other, for example a green and orange fade will make brown,' adds Aaliyah. 'It’s best to work through the rainbow.' Smart.
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How To Do Ombre Nails
The beauty of ombre is that you don't need to be a Hockney or a Picasso to achieve the look – a handful of your chosen colours, a sponge and a bit of creativity will do the trick. For those of us who can't wait until their next nail appointment to master the trend, Aaliyah and Anastasia break down how to achieve an ombre nail at home:
Apply two coats of white polish (this helps the colours pop) and let your nails dry for 10-15 minutes.
Load your sponge with two to five colours, in a horizontal line overlapping each other.
Dab your sponge onto the nail without moving the placement of the sponge. If you move the sponge your colours will end up mixing instead of fading, it won’t be cute!
Repeat step 3 until you get the desired vibrancy.
Dip an angled brush (an old eyebrow or eyeliner brush works well) in acetone and use the brush to clean up excess product around your nails.
Now it's time to topcoat. Let your nails dry for 15-20 minutes.
Nourish with cuticle oil.
For those of us not blessed with the steady hands of a nail tech, we've rounded up some of the slickest ombre nail art to save, screenshot and squirrel away for your next nail appointment.
The Best Ombre Nail Designs For 2024
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