Aura Nails Are Summer’s Vibiest Manicure Trend

They say you are what you eat, but you’re also the sum of the aesthetic choices you make – and the latest trend to break through in nail circles draws upon our very essence. Aura nail art commits our aura – or the vibe we emanate – to our nails. And if you’ve recently gotten into crystals or energy work, then it’s the perfect trend for you. Dua Lipa, Lizzo and Rina Sawayama are already fans.

With four billion views on TikTok, aura nails often marry bright rainbow colours with a graduated, spherical design. “While bright colours are best used to create this effect because they stand out, it depends on the spiritual aura of the client – they may want specific colours to reflect how they are feeling,” explains Giorgia Cappella, training and education manager at The Gel Bottle, who says they’ve become increasingly popular. “While some clients want their nails to reflect their current aura, or the one they wish to give off, for others it’s just a trend they love and like the look of.”

Some aura nails are created using airbrushing tools, but more commonly they’re created by gradually layering different shades and diffusing them onto a base colour. “I love to use pink for the outer aura and orange for the centre,” says Cappella. “These colours symbolise romance, self-love, confidence and creativity, and they work beautifully together – both aesthetically and spiritually.”

The design works well on all nail shapes, but especially on oval or almond, says Cappella. “The added length and tapered edge helps to create the circular effect of an aura,” she adds. “It’s a bit trickier with square shapes.” Like sunsets on your fingertips – and a stellar way to help you manifest the mood you want – below find some aura nails inspiration.

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@eriishizu

@rosebnails

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