BeautyTok is always spitting out new nail trends. This summer was all about the Hailey Bieber chrome nails, followed by velvet nails, but the newest nail art trend is inspired by comic book art! (Yes, you read that right.) It’s no secret that ‘90s style is making a major comeback lately, and this fun and quirky nail trend is no exception. The comic book-inspired nail art heavily draws inspiration from ‘90s cartoons and comic books. Think Archie, The Simpsons, and Marvel comic books.
Read on for where the pop art mani trend came from and how to nail (pun very much intended) the look yourself (spoiler alert, it’s actually super easy to DIY!).
Where did the pop art mani trend start?
Nail artists on TikTok have been sharing their own renditions of the pop art nail trend recently, and each one is more daring than the next! While many are testing out an everyday version of the trend, some nail artists are showing off extra long nails that up the drama. When done right, the manicure looks like your nails are straight out of a cartoon. It’s a cute, quirky nail art idea for anyone who’s tired of their basic mani.
How to get comic book and pop art nails
While many nail trends can be difficult to recreate at home, the pop art nail trend is super DIY friendly. All you need is a vibrant nail color of your choice, a black nail polish, a nail white polish, and a tiny detail brush. A little art lesson: You can also incorporate a darker shade of the same base color you choose if you want to up the dimension.
Once you have all those items, just gather a bit of patience and creativity and you’re good to go! To get inspiration for your pop art mani, first check out Pinterest and TikTok, and then get to work. First, paint your nails with two or three shades of your chosen base color. Then, with a steady hand, outline the nail with a thin black line (mimicking the outlines of a comic book character). Then, go back in with your white polish to add some highlights to embody that pop art vibe. Finish off with a clear top coat and you’re good to go! Pro tip: If you want your mani to last longer, try gel curing!
Not the best at DIY nail art? Me neither. You can bring some inspo pictures or videos to your nail salon to achieve the same look. If you’re unsure if your nail tech has the right materials to try out this trend on your nails, try calling your salon ahead of time to see if they have the proper tools in stock.