Maximalist nails are autumn’s most attention-stealing trend

Nail art has come full-circle with the resounding return of maximalist nails. We’re talking colour, we’re talking chrome, we’re talking bold 3D details and XXL attention-grabbing shapes.

For context: the 2010s saw us resurrect minimalist nail art (after cartoon nail stickers and cutesy gemstones ruled the nineties and noughties). And with milky pink shades, glazed finishes and barely-there French tips headlining, we vowed never again to return to the chaos of mix-n-match, pattern-clash, multi-colour nails. But, well, we’ve been truly humbled by the wave of stunning, creative, individual artistry that’s exploding amongst nail artists. But while these manis are scene-stealing, they’re very aspirational (and wearable), too.

Nail artists like South Korea’s Park Eun-kyung (@nail_unistella) have helped to put more-is-more nails back on the map. Pushing the boundaries to create nails that could look at home in an art gallery and re-affirming the theory that nail art is jewellery for our nails (whether they’re painted or decked in metal appliqués).

The rise of technology, like 3D nail art (with sculpture gel) and optical illusion finishers (like blooming gel, metallic cat-eye polishes and airbrush tools) have further levelled-up modern-day manis, giving us more options than we’ve ever had before.

So, if you’re ready to trade out a simple Frenchie for something OTT, we have some beautiful maximalist nail art to save for your next manicure appointment below…

Colour, chrome and gemstone maximalist nails

Water marble maximalist nails

Studded, aura, blooming gel maximalist nails

Gemstone, sparkle, bow maximalist nails

Gilded blue hibiscus flower maximalist nails

XXL pattern clash maximalist nails

Aura shooting star maximalist nails

Textural gold and burgundy maximalist nails

Blob, aura, tiger print maximalist nails

Checkerboard, terrazzo, swirl maximalist nails

Gingham, cherry maximalist nails

3D fruity maximalist nails

Crystal butterfly tie dye maximalist nails

A minimalist’s maximalist nails

Maxxximalist maximalist nails

Colour-layered maximalist nails

Miffy maximalist nails

Marble emerald maximalist nails

Ripple fire French tip maximalist nails

Butter watermelon 3D flower maximalist nails

Baroque cameo maximalist nails

Heart cut-out maximalist nails

For more from GLAMOUR’s Senior Beauty Editor, Elle Turner, follow her on Instagram @elleturneruk

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