Jelly Floral Nails Are An Unexpected Twist On The Classic Spring Manicure Trend

Now that we're well into Q2, we finally got the lowdown on the hottest nail trends for spring 2024. One of those is flowers because, well, that's always the case this time of year. "This classic nail trend comes back year after year and it's easy to see why," nail artist Ryan Notman-Watt told Glamour. "Pastel shades for floral nails are on trend, so opt for lemons, pastel blues, pinks and purples. All you need is a dotting tool to create the look."

But because we're living in 2024 where more is better on the nail front, florals with a jelly twist are what will take your manicure to new heights. Jelly is a more intense take on 2023's glazed donut trend, adding more dimension to the manicure so it almost appears as if it's squishy to the touch. Bringing flowers and jelly-looking texture together is a surefire way to make one heck of a statement with your manicure, and have a lot of fun in the process.

If you're not sure where to start — because it could really go in any direction — your best bet is to consider your favorite flowers and favorite colors, then go from there. And, of course, make sure your manicurist doubles or even triples up on the glaze for that oh-so-important jelly effect.

In December 2023, Pantone Color Institute declared peach fuzz its color of 2024. "In a world that can seem very harsh, people are looking for colors that soothe, colors that are soft and warm, colors that nurture and provide us with comfort," executive director of the Pantone Color Institute Leatrice Eiseman told Elle Decor. "As we move into 2024, we are seeing that at a time of turmoil in many aspects of our lives, our need for nurturing, empathy, and compassion is growing stronger, as are our imaginings and desire for a more peaceful future." Eiseman is certainly not wrong in that assessment, so leaning toward peach, apricot, and tangerine shades when choosing your jelly floral manicure just might be what you need to bring a sense of balance and peace to your life. 

For a while now we've been seeing the French manicure in many incarnations that take the original look and make it colorful and more exciting. If you love French tips, but also love florals and simply can't commit to either one or the other, then why not go for both? With the right color and artist, your manicure will look sleek and clean, as opposed to crowded and childish. 

According to research by Ripe Hair & Beauty, people are really interested in bright floral nails, and the proof is in the searches that have skyrocketed by 250%. Although we do think of spring as more of a pastel season, some people just aren't into pastels, so why pay for a manicure that doesn't embody you? You shouldn't. If you want your jelly floral nails to be bold or even really loud, then go for it.

If you thought metallic shades and chrome nail variations left us in 2023, you were very wrong. And when it comes to pairing them with florals and jelly, you've created a masterpiece. As nail artist Aja Walton told Cosmopolitan, "metallic accents — in shades of silver chrome, rose gold, and copper — over jelly nudes" are going to be huge this year. "These clear and often multicolor-shifting shades give a beam-like shine in popular purples and blues," Walton added. 

Because not everyone can embrace pastels or put an entire garden on their nail, then darker color bases with minimal floral accents are a great way to stay true to your own aesthetic, but also get in on this trend. Just don't forget to jellify the look so much so that your nails look almost good enough to eat.