From subtle almond shapes to all shades of beige, 'quiet luxury' has been sweeping the nail industry this summer. So much so, the majority of new and existing nail trends are free from vibrant colours or intricate designs and epitomise the barely-there aesthetic: soap nails, the Ukrainian manicure, cloud nails; the list goes on.
'Petal nails' are yet another example. As illustrated by Victoria Beckham, who recently stepped out with the soft, elongated manicure for the FIFA world cup in Miami over the weekend, this polished manicure centres upon a minimalist colour palette and 'petal' shape.
'The petal nail trend blends two key elements: a soft, floral pink and a medium-length almond shape,' explains Daisy Kalnina, founder and CEO of The GelBottle Inc. 'The gentle taper of the almond nail mirrors the organic curve of a petal, while the fresh, blooming pink provides a romantic, high-pigment finish. It’s a step away from the recent ‘invisible’ nail trend, and instead, embraces a definitive opacity that feels fresh and ultra-feminine,' she adds.
How to recreate petal nails
First, start with the nail shape.
'This look relies heavily on perfecting the shape and choosing the right tone of pink for you. You ideally need medium length nails to achieve the perfect taper, and you want to start tapering from the free edge (where the nail leaves the finger), ensuring the tips are smoothly rounded rather than sharp,' she shares.
The almond shape here is particularly important.
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'Visually, the almond shape acts as an optical illusion by elongating the fingers, while structurally the rounded edges make it incredibly durable for everyday wear,' adds Kalnina.
An almond nail shape can also be emulated with BIAB, or builder gel.
'Because the length and taper require a solid foundation, asking your nail tech to use a BIAB base will help with building that crucial apex to act as a support system,' she shares.
Meanwhile, if you are recreating this look at home, she suggests: 'For DIY manicures, the Peacci 2-in-1 Base Coat is an incredible treatment to help strengthen and nourish nails.'
Choosing a base shade will depend on your skin's undertones and personal preference.
'Your shade choice should complement your skin tone and for warm, golden undertones, I’d recommend looking for a sugary pink like The GelBottle’s Powder. For cooler undertones, you can achieve the look with a refined cool pink with blue undertones. Alternatively, Blasé offers a soft, perfectly balanced, opaque cool pink. If you are creating the look at home, try Peacci in Apple Blossom for a gorgeous pearlescent twist,' she adds. 'Finally, lock everything in with an ultra-glossy, high-shine top coat to make the colour pop.'
What to ask a nail technician
If you're looking to recreate Beckham's new petal manicure, Kalnina says that alongside showing your nail technician visual imagery, you'll want to avoid certain shades of pink. 'When visiting the salon, steer clear of chalky pastels or stark nudes. Instead, ask your nail technician for a soft floral pink,' she explains.
'You are looking for a shade with a delicate, creamy depth that mimics the fresh pigment of a real petal rather than a sheer gloss. Using a quality, high-shine gel will ensure the floral pink looks vibrant, expensive, and pristine,' she adds.
As Beckham proves, the manicure looks soft and refined, yet offers up a fresh take on classic quiet luxury nails that feels elevated for the summer months.
Amelia Bell is the Multiplatform Beauty Director for ELLE UK and Harper’s Bazaar, developing beauty strategy, writing, editing, and commissioning, and leading beauty content across both sites. Amelia has a particular interest in wellness and longevity, exploring the skin-mind connection, and decoding the latest treatments, tweakments and runway trends. She also has bylines for Women's Health, Refinery29, British Vogue, Harrods Magazine, and more.
