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Whether I'm scrolling on TikTok, Instagram or Pinterest, people are obsessed with velvet nails at the moment. Here are 15 ideas to take to your next salon visit.
Anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm very much a nail trend minimalist, tending to stick to nudes , pinks and, of course, my beloved French manicure . However, there's just something about the chillier weather that always makes me want to get something slightly more interesting on my hands.
Nothing too crazy, of course, rather a design that will earn me compliments without feeling too out of my comfort zone. And whether I'm scrolling on my TikTok FYP, Instagram feed or Pinterest boards, it seems like the most stylish people cannot get enough of velvet nails at the moment.
They're stylish, versatile and strike the perfect balance between elevated and classic. And if the cat-eye craze that inspired velvet nails and is still going strong 10 years later is anything to go by, it’s clear that it's going to be way more than just a fleeting microtrend.
Much like the very popular cat-eye nails, velvet nails are created by applying a gel nail polish with magnetic pigments to the nails, which can then be "shaped" into various designs with a special magnet. The difference lies in the fact that whilst traditional cat-eye nails feature a single, sharply focused bright line of light (resembling a cat's eye), velvet nails feature more evenly dispersed magnetic particles, which create a sparkly, multidimensional sheen.
This makes for a fuzzy but glowy-looking velvety texture on your nails, almost like your favourite party-season dresses, bags and trousers, hence the name. And I think that we can all agree that whilst these nails will look chic at any time of the year, they'll really come into their own as party season approaches.
But the best part? Between gorgeously deep neutral tones and bright, playful pops of colour, you’ll be pleased to know that there’s a velvet nail style to suit everyone.
Keep scrolling to see my edit of the best velvet nail manicures to save for your next salon visit.
This might just be my first manicure of the upcoming season.
This nude velvet set is perfect for minimalists who want to try out the trend.
There's something about this silver velvet mani that feels equally as classic as it does fresh.
Proof that the velvet trend works just as well on shorter nails.
This sage green hue will feel just as pared-back as any neutral.
Burgundy is synonymous with the colder months.
This ombre blue effect is so mesmerising to me.
For those who prefer a slightly bolder manicure, why not opt for this two-tone velvet design?
Can't make it to the salon? This press-on set will make getting velvet nails easy and are also a great way to try out the trend before fully committing.
Mylee's nail magnet duo will allow you to get velvet and cat-eye nails at home.
Every at-home gel mani needs a UV lamp, and Manucurist has some of the best.
A base and top coat will keep your velvet nails looking glossy and salon-worthy.
This silver polish feels perfect for the upcoming party season.
This 6-polish set will allow you to change up your look as often as you'd like.
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
As WWW UK’s junior writer, Brittany focuses on creating compelling fashion, shopping and beauty content for site, and works closely with the Managing Editor on recurring columns and franchises. She has a passion for all things fashion, beauty and lifestyle related, but is particularly fond of fragrance, with a personal collection to rival any beauty editor's!
Prior to Who What Wear, Brittany worked as the Shopping Assistant at Reach Plc and across a number of publications, including OK!, Notebook, S Mag and The Mirror. In this role, she was responsible for creating on-site beauty and fashion content, compiling shopping grids and filming and editing weekly video content for the brand’s social media account.