Image belongs to @buffcsjen / Instagram
Soft, silky and glamorous, it isn’t surprising velvet is a timeless holiday season staple. It also isn’t surprising that beauty lovers want to make up for the less than sparkly year we’ve had. Cue velvet nails, the huge nail trend that’s made Instagram collectively lose its mind, and just happens to be one of the best alternatives to adding some festive colour and shimmer when masks are making it difficult to show off a bright red lip.
Renowned Los Angeles-based nail artists Betina Goldstein and Amy Le were some of the first to confirm velvet nails are the manicure trend to sport during the festive period. Inspired by velour itself, velvet nails replicate the texture of the luxe and mesmerising fabric and centres on the way the manicure catches the light, making it look practically holographic when that happens. The holographic finish on the shimmery gel polish gives it a signature velvety sheen, making nails appear as if you have actual velvet on them. While the cool manicure trend, an elevated version of a metallic or glitter polish, gives the illusion of a velvet-like quality thanks to the light trick, it leaves nails feeling smooth rather than fuzzy.
The holiday-ready style looks amazing in traditional festive colours, as Le showed with her forest green version. Gold and champagne tones are also a top pick for the party season, as is a silver shimmer. However, with velvet nails’ standout glitter feature, you don’t have to count on a traditional colour to take your digits to the next level. The look is really chic in darker colours like navy and purple or in neutrals as well, as Goldstein has proven. And if you have long acrylic tips, you can even go two-toned. Whatever speaks to you, you can count on the fresh trend way past the holidays and New Year celebrations.
If you you’ve got the time and feel like trying an at home DIY, you can get the look “using a matte nail lacquer, matte topcoat, flocking powder or newly discovered silver magnetic powder,” Charnin Brown-Hayward, founder of Nail Wig Toppings Bar and Nail Wig Stroke Effects, told “Good Morning America.” Otherwise, you can subscribe to Le’s Patreon, where she kindly dropped a how-to guide after her green version went viral, or purchase velvet press-ons to help you get the manicure that’s insanely pretty to look at in a jiffy. Plus, of course, there’s the option of a much-deserved trip to the salon, which will probably be the best bet.
