You already know that primary colors are having a major moment in 2024 when it comes to our clothing, but now this super-powerful color trend has officially made its way to our nails. This simple yet striking look seems to be inspired by ’80s abstract art, combining 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?
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What we’re saying is that we love that this manicure design leaves so much room for creativity. You’re even flexible with what you can use! Although most of us learned in school that there are three colors, physics says green is part of the equation too. But with the multitude of nail art options on the manicure table, we know it can be hard to get the creativity flowing. That’s why we bring you the ultimate guide to primary color nail inspiration.
Try geometric prints
Want something bold to match the natural fun of your primary-colored manicure? Few things pair better with these hues than geometric patterns. Think 80s/early 90s prints here, and feel free to incorporate some black into the design. While it’s not technically a primary color, it’s a neutral color that can add some definition to your look. Think rectangles with semi-circular cutouts, rounded triangles, or if you’re feeling creative, try houndstooth patterns. Take your cues from modern art, such as Piet Mondrian’s iconic works.
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Make your primary colors sparkle
If you like having some glitter in your manicure, then there’s no reason you can’t achieve that with primary colors. To create a glitter effect, try nail polishes with glitter or apply a transparent glitter shade over a flat color to create sparkle. If you prefer more sparkle than chunky or fine glitter, there’s also the glamorous chrome manicure, usually created with chrome powder.
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Add a teardrop texture to your primary manicure
To make primary-colored nails even more exciting, add some 3D elements to the look. One of the best options is a builder gel, which allows you to add strategically placed shapes (or even blobs like on a painter’s palette) to your nails to take things a step further. Just remember to bring confidence, because this style is pretty daring.
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Be selective about your primary colors
You don’t have to use all three primary colors to achieve a pretty, colorful manicure look. Instead, blend your two favorite shades across the nail to create a gradient effect. The beauty of this manicure style is that it represents the magic of primary colors. Where the two nail polish shades converge, a completely different shade is created. In other words, if you choose blue and red as your colors, expect a cool shade of purple in the middle.
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Try a pop art or cartoon manicure
Primary colors lend themselves well to pop art designs, and now that they’re trending, it might be the perfect time to try a bold, cartoon-style manicure. Make your nails look cartoonish with a flat, matte shade, plus a black border and white line for faux shine. You can also create designs that resemble a comic book or pop art painting by using exaggerated exclamation points, or add different-sized dots for a pointillist look.
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