Primary Color Nails Are 2024's Boldest Manicure Trend

You already know that primary colors are having a major moment in 2024 when it comes to our clothes, but now this super bold color trend has officially made it way to our nails. Seemingly inspired by '80s abstract art, this simple, yet striking look combines bold red, yellow, and blue on the same nail. It also gives us a healthy dose of preschool nostalgia, and who doesn't want to be reminded of those simpler times? 

All this to say, we love that there's so much room to get creative with this manicure design. There's even flexibility on what you can use! Though most of us were taught in school that there are three, according to physics, green is also part of the equation. But with a myriad of nail art options on the manicure table, we know it can be tough to get those creative juices flowing. That's why we're bringing you the ultimate primary color nail inspo guide.

Want something bold that will match the natural fun of your primary color manicure? Little suits these shades better than geometric patterns. Think '80/early '90s prints for this one, and feel free to incorporate some black into the design. Even though it's not technically a primary color, it's a neutral that can work give your look some definition. Think rectangles with semi-circle cut outs, rounded triangles, or, if you're feeling creative, give houndstooth a go. Use modern art as your guide, such as Piet Mondrian's iconic work.

If you're someone who likes to have some sparkle in your manicure, then there's no reason you can't do that with primary colors. To create a sparkly effect, try nail lacquers with glitter already in them or apply a sheer glitter shade over the top of a flat color to add sparkle. There's also the glam chrome manicure route if you prefer more of a shine over a chunky or fine glitter, which is usually done using a chrome powder.

To make primary color nails even more exciting, add some 3D elements to the look. One of the best ways is via a builder gel, which can be used to add strategically placed shapes (or even blobs a la a painter's palette) onto your nails to take things one step further. Just remember to bring the confidence, because this style is pretty daring.

You don't have to use all three primary colors to get a cute colorful manicure look. Instead, blend your two favorite shades across the nail for a gradient effect. The neat part about this mani style is it represents the magic of primary colors. Where the two polish shades converge will be a totally different shade. In other words, if you pick blue and red as your colors, expect to see a cool purple hue in the middle.

Primary colors lend themselves well to pop art designs, so, while they're hot, this could be the perfect time to give a bold cartoon-inspired mani a go. Make your nails look like cartoons with a flat, matte shade, plus a black border and white line for faux shine. You could also create designs similar to a comic book or pop art painting via exaggerated exclamation marks, or add different sized polka dots for a pointillist look.