Updating your nails is a surefire way to feel your most refined and polished. Maybe the classic French manicure is your style, or maybe you prefer cool-girl chrome finishes or pretty florals.
But if you're part of a growing niche of beauty lovers who might be interested in hyper-realistic nail art, be warned that this trend is nothing like the satisfyingly stunning manicures and pedicures you know and love, featuring designs that flaunt less-than-aesthetic elements.
Ultra-realistic nail art is becoming more and more popular
From 3D acne designs to moldy French manicures, realistic manicures and pedicures are becoming popular on BeautyTok.
While this wacky manicure aesthetic has been gaining popularity around the world, the “ugly nails” trend originated from Russian manicurists like Instagram sensation @corrosion.nails. Her unique art includes fingernails that look like claws and fingertips adorned with life-sized beetles, to name a few, but she's not the only nail artist with a penchant for the grotesque.
Controversial trendsetters like Doja Cat and Julia Fox have championed the “anti-beauty” movement, which prioritizes individualism, art, and eccentricity over pleasing the male gaze. Now, nails are the latest trend to embrace that fearless energy, with A-listers like Emily Ratajkowski cited as pioneering the trend, who recently sported 3D cockroaches on her nails in an editorial shoot. Read on for inspiration for some totally unexpected manicures (if you dare).
6 Gloss AF Manicure & Pedicure
Moldy French chips
If traditional French nail tips are too basic for you, this artist has decorated each nail with green mould, making them look like they've been on the set of The Last Of Us.
Realistic 3D acne
For this manicure, the nail artist was inspired by acne-ridden skin, creating the illusion of inflamed whiteheads that look ready to pop.
Vein Detail
Made to look like veins, these flesh-toned nails feature a matte finish that closely resembles the texture of real skin.
Raw Chicken Skin Pedicure
Inspired by raw chicken skin, this pedicure pushes the boundaries of ultra-realistic nails to new heights. How's sandal season going?
Slimy slug
Each nail is covered in a simple clear nail polish, but the lifelike, slimy slugs crawling all over this nail polish aren't for the faint of heart.
Teeth Tips
Featuring animal-like canines and highly detailed molars, this ultra-realistic 3D teeth design fades to a pale pink color that visually represents gums.
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