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Abstract swirl manicure designs have dominated the nail art world. Manis with twists, turns, spirals, and bends are becoming increasingly common on social media and in real life. They are true works of wearable art. With Maby, you can take the initiative in everything, visit the Maby blog to discover the most trending nail designs today.
The appeal of swirl nails lies in their adaptability and diversity, in addition to their sleek appearance. Hard to get wrong is what we mean by that. The pressure is lessened if you try it at home. However, if you’d instead use a professional, we have lots of advice from nail technicians on how to apply them or what to want from your manicurist.
We’ve collected 15 of our best designs from the web, so you don’t have to spend countless hours browsing through the #swirlnails rabbit hole. Take them on!
Punky Rollerwave
The nail artist from New York City designed this Beetlejuice-inspired combination. It’s ‘only’ black and white wavy stripes, but there are many of them, she claims. It’s an unanticipated combination of gentle waves and sharper turns as if the psychedelic waves turned punk.
Do you intend to request this at the salon? The natural curves of your nail should be highlighted, recommends Miles. A more giant “blobby” swirl painted in the center of a shorter nail may give the appearance of having shorter nails; instead, I would focus on framing the wheels around the nail.
Groovy Swirls
A nail artist in Kansas City, Missouri, completed this set for famous people. Houston created this appearance by mixing several hues of blue and green. She describes the style as having a ’70s swirl vibe that is “very fun and charming, plus it all flows together wonderfully.” It combines elements of the old and modern schools.
Purple Waves
Where do the turns and twists in this manicure begin and end? We have no idea, which is why we adore Chaun Legend’s set even more. Legend described this nail file on Instagram with the words, “I know I said I was over the swirls, but it’s something about these colors combined I love.” He applied the swirls with (P)ink on Canvas, Violet Visionary, OPI DTLA, and Bubble Bath, all OPI lacquers.
Intellectual Swirl
A staff editor, “Intellectual Swirl” nails. According to the nail artist, the style “is heightened by the diverse animal designs as though she’s a well-traveled and highly sophisticated academic.”
According to Miles, combining several animal designs ups the vibe because we frequently view them as neutrals in fashion and nail art. “Peak fashion zeitgeist is achieved by combining pattern mixing with the current hue.
Retro Daisies
With their combination of flowers and swirls, these retro nails are another homage to the ’70s. In September, Vu, who assists her mother in running Amy Nails Reading, developed this set. She paired brilliant, summery hues like pink and bright orange with autumnal shades like burnt orange and mustard yellow to symbolize the changing seasons.
Vu suggests using gel polish at home to get this effect. With gel, mistakes can be readily removed without having to start over, according to Vu. “For making accurate strokes in a single, fluid motion, a thin, long brush (like this one) is advised. When painting the daisies, a dotting tool is essential.”
Toxic Swirls
Angela Griffin, a scientist and nail technician from Bristol, England, advises, “Large and bold — go big or go home!” These nails sparkle, as they do under neon lights, but the juxtaposition of the neon against the black and white makes them stand out.
Use the lightest hue (in this case, white) as the base if you’re trying this look at home, advises Griffin. Use a medium-length brush, such as the Brillbird 0 Brush, to apply chunky waves in the color of your choice. Lastly, outline the swirls in black, paying attention to the edges. Griffin created this look with Daisy, Freesia, and Jet Black from The Gel Bottle.
Candy Cane Swirls
With this style by Herefordshire, England-based nail artist Niamh Compton, you can get into the holiday season or at least feel like it. Because no two swirl nail designs are the same, clients can follow a trend while expressing individuality.
Compton advises using gel polishes for at-home manicures since you can cure them in a lamp between layers to prevent smearing. Pick three to four colors you want to utilize.
Start with a base color that matches your nails, then for the first lines, use either the lightest or the darkest shade. Paint the swirls on with a fine liner brush, keeping in mind that it’s an abstract pattern and they don’t have to be flawless. Apply a glossy topcoat to seal it once it has dried. Use glitter tips to create your next French manicure if you’re not afraid of a bit of sparkle.
Pastel Dream
These sorbet-colored nails instantly uplift your spirits in any season. This set was painted using nail colors from the Olive & June x Golde collaboration, done by Minneapolis, Minnesota-based nail artist and Olive & June associate Kara Crevier.
During the salon, “Pick hues that stand out or contrast. If that’s the effect you’re going for, for instance, you want to make sure the lines and art stand out from the background color, “affirms Crevier. Request that a third to half of your nail be painted contrasting, and then draw fine abstract lines over the top close to the opposite color with a liner brush.
’80s Flashback
Between the swirls and the polka dots, this manicure is rather busy. Lisset Robles, a nail artist from the Bronx who developed this style, advises being precise if you want to recreate it at home. She suggests utilizing several Leafgel shades that she bought from Zillabeau, a provider of nail art supplies. Robles advises laying a base first. She recommends using a dehydrator and a primer before applying the gel for the best results. Apply your chosen colors to the nail after that. Use a liner brush to make your swirls, then a dotting tool to add as many dots as you wish. Swipe a topcoat on to complete.
Candy Swirls
The community is a common source of inspiration for nail artists. Ask Winnipeg, Manitoba-based manicurist Shae-Lynne Merkel, who inspired these “Candy Swirls” nails from the nail salon account @nails.bab, showcasing the work of other nail technicians. The strawberry yogurt candies Merkel consumed as a child also served as inspiration.
Grab the preferred nail polish you would want to use as your foundation color and put on a couple of coats to get this look at home, advises Merkel. “For the most attractive swirls, use a thin striping brush. Use a rich color to create your abstract swirls after that.”