Pearl nail art is one of our favourite looks right now, and it’s probably yours too. If you’ve been keeping an eye on overall street style, chances are you’ve noticed that pearls are having a moment. While a string of pearls has long held a connotation for being stuffy, the new crop of accessories, often featuring single irregular-shaped pearls, are more Carrie Bradshaw than Charlotte York.
Oversized pearl earrings have been spotted recently on Zendaya and Gigi Hadid, and Ashley Graham is a fan of pearl pendants. But it’s in the beauty sphere that pearls are making an unexpected appearance – it’s impossible to scroll through Instagram without seeing a pearl hair clip, arguably the must-have accessory of the season, or headband, and now the trend has evolved into pearl nail art.
Think about it: Pearls are the perfect accent. They’re not as expected as diamonds, yet they add a cool touch without being too flashy. And, just as a french manicure mirrors the ’00s nostalgia movement in fashion, pearl manis are directly inspired by what’s happening in our jewellery boxes.
The look is also surprisingly versatile; choose a single stone if you’re a minimalist, or go all the way with gem-encrusted nails on all five fingers. “Adding a small pearl is easy, and you don’t need to be very savvy with a paintbrush,” says nail artist Betina Goldstein, whose renditions of pearl nail-art ideas have racked up thousands of likes on Instagram. “It allows you to play with colour, design, or gems without overwhelming your look or hands.”