How vibrant and glamorous are unicorn nails?
If you spent your childhood playing with My Little Pony toys, the retro craze of painting your nails to look like unicorns are tailor-made for you. Unicorn nails are characterized by their vibrant colors and captivating appearance, much like the mythical creature that gives them their name. Rest assured that we are not advising you to paint actual unicorns on your fingernails; rather, the focus of this trend is on the color and gloss of the polish. Imagine iridescent pastel colors and shimmering pigments that change color.
According to Rachel Goodman, who leads beauty and luxury partnerships at Pinterest, unicorn nails fit squarely under the All the Raves category that Pinterest highlighted in its 2023 Predicts report. Goodman’s assessment was provided by Pinterest. This category, like unicorn nails, is all about having a “chrome look and colorful vibes,” which was inspired by the vivid lifestyle of the rave scene.
In agreement, Julie Kandalec, founder of Julie K Nail Artelier in New York City and a manicurist at Julie K Nail Artelier, describes unicorn nails as “a more fun and colorful version of the glazed-donut nail.” According to Mazz Hanna, CEO of Nailing Hollywood and founder of her eponymous nail line, “Unicorn nails are a subtle nod to the upcoming bright spring palette while still remaining wintry.” This trend is appropriate since “unicorn nails are a subtle nod to the upcoming bright spring palette,” she says.
According to Kandalec, some of the nicest aspects of this look include the fact that it can be “easily recreated at home or at a nail salon” and that it also complements a wide variety of other fashion trends.
Unicorn nails are more whimsical and entertaining as compared to glazed-donut nails, which are more understated and neutral in appearance. You can achieve a similar aesthetic with the chrome nail paints that are currently on the market, but traditional unicorn nails are done in pastel colors. Imagine that the reflecting chrome finish on your nails is a mood ring: as you move around, you’ll see varied pastel colors inside the polish. “Glazed-donut nails use a sheer chrome pigment, so the base color shows through more,” explains Kandalec. “Unicorn nails have a white chrome base with an opalescent flash in different shades like pink and orange, and green and purple.” [Citation needed] “Glazed-donut nails use a sheer chrome pigment, so the base color shows through more.” Also you can refer to: Velvet Nails Are the Holiday Upgrade to Your Glazed Donut Manicure.
The next step is to imitate the current unicorn craze. It shouldn’t be too difficult to bring pictures of things that inspire you to your salon. However, in contrast elaborate nail art, it is entirely doable by yourself.
If you’ve ever had chrome polish applied at a salon, you’re probably aware that the powder has the appearance of eye shadow and comes with a sponge applicator—an applicator that, according to Kandalec, you can actually use. However, getting the hang of the strategy may take some time, so you should be prepared for the possibility of making streaks.
If, on the other hand, you are interested in trying your hand at powder, Kandalec recommends that you get the EVPCT Chrome Nail Powder Kit in conjunction with the OPI Chrome Effects Top Coat. She recommends applying the topcoat and curing it with an LED lamp after you have applied a white or cream base, which will let the unicorn colors stand out more vividly. The more affordable tiny version offered by Dashing Diva is one that we particularly enjoy. After that, use a Real Techniques Miracle Mini Complexion Sponge to apply the unicorn powder, and then finish by applying another layer of the topcoat and curing it once more. Visit the Maby blog to discover the most trending nail designs today.
You want to step it up a notch, don’t you?
Kandalec suggests replacing the chrome powder with the Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Flakes Multichrome Gel for Eyes & Face rather than using chrome powder. The company makes opalescent hues in ten different variations, but the one named Strobe Light is the only one that precisely matches the rave trend that was forecasted by Pinterest. The color is referred to as “winter white with opalescent purple shift.” In comparison to the chrome powder by itself, the appearance of these flecks will be more textured.
There are nail polishes that can achieve a look that is comparable to that of powder if you choose not to use powder. Hanna’s go-to nail polishes are Orly Crystal Healing, a sheer white lilac shimmer; Zoya Nail Lacquer in Leia, a creamy shimmer with a pink glitter look; and Dazzle Dry Spiritual Diva, an iridescent pink oyster shell. To recreate this look, Kandalec uses the Lights Lacquer polishes in the colors Voulez-Vouz and Clara, which have a delicate off-white and blue shift color combination. In addition, Nails Inc. offers a Unicorn Nail Polish Duo in either a shimmering rose gold color or a combination of sparkling blue and purple.
Hanna recommends Dashing Diva Pearl Glaze for the easiest and most low-maintenance approach to getting unicorn nails. Dashing Diva Pearl Glaze are gel nail strips that you apply and then cure with an LED lamp for a long-wear gel finish without the actual process of painting your nails or using powder.