You can blame the current bow accents trend on celebrities wearing them in their hair or as jewelry. But present bow nails were popular as far back as a decade ago. Now, Cosmopolitan says bow nail designs will be a hit again in 2024. That's no surprise, as balletcore has really taken off. Nail enthusiasts love this feminine fashion that features bows of all sorts paired with pearls, rhinestones, and soft colors. Like many nail trends, bow nail designs are adaptable. You can do them in any color for any nail length or occasion. Keep reading to see what nail artists have done with bow nails recently.
Bow Nail Designs
Balletcore Bow Nails
This adorable manicure looks like little white ballet slippers. It has real ribbons pinned in place by miniature pearls. Can you imagine wearing this for a wedding?
Completing a similar look is easier than you think. You'll need, at a minimum, white polish and a clear top coat. If you don't have a sheer white polish, you can dilute an opaque white polish with the top coat. You’ll also want adhesive for nail charms.
The pointy shape is integral to the design, so also consider nail extensions. In that case, you may find it easier to create the nails first, then glue them in place like press-ons.
LDS GW - 01 - Gentle White Collection
Nail Charms
Pink Jelly Bow Nails
This bow nails design checks so many boxes! It follows both the clean girl aesthetic and the bow nails trend. It uses a pretty pink jelly gel embedded with simple designs like a tied bow, heart, and stars. There are small, sparkly stones for extra depth and texture. If you love this look, make it your own with polish that matches your skin tone, whether warm or cool.
Jelly Gel Polish Colors - LDS 10 Candle Glow - Nude Collection
Jelly Gel Polish Colors - LDS 07 Water Melon - Nude Collection
Rhinestones
White Bows with Rhinestones
Dress up your natural nails with a simple coat of polish. Add hand-drawn bows or stickers with rhinestones. This is a straightforward project with line art gel. But even if all you have is a skinny nail brush and nail lacquer, it's completely doable. Tiny gems like these will stick to the nail if you set them into the damp polish. For the bow nails, we recommend painting a nude base coat first. Then, add the bows once the base is dry. Follow with a clear top coat and press the stone into place with tweezers. Once that layer sets, add more top coat and tuck it around the stone to help hold it. (If you paint over the top, it might dull the stone. Experiment to see what works best).
LDS Gel Polish Nail Art Liner - White 02 (ver 2)
Minimalist Red Bow Nail
Add zing to a French manicure with a tiny red bow. Here's a point to consider: Which way should the bow face? Everyone has a different opinion on whether it means something if the bow is facing toward the wearer or away. The debate also rages on whether to put the bow near the cuticle or at the free edge.
LDS Gel Polish Nail Art Liner - Red 05 (ver 2)
Acrylic Bow Nails
These ballerina nails with black tips remind us of ballet slippers. The accent nails have handcrafted white bows. It takes practice and skill to work with acrylics for nail art like this. If you'd like to try something similar but you're not familiar with acrylics, we suggest experimenting with poly gel. This material combines the best attributes of gel polish with acrylics. It's easier for beginners as it's a premixed substance that's ready to use. Moreover, it won't dry until it's cured in a nail lamp, so you have all the time you need to perfect the design.
Lavis Poly Gel
Glazed Donut Nails with Bows and French Tips
A dusting of chrome powder turns French tips into glazed donut nails. The delicate gold bows are a classy addition that elevates this look even higher. These simple additions make an ordinary manicure into something uniquely stunning that's sure to get a second look.
Chrome Nail Powder
Blue and White Vintage Bow Nails
Milky white manis are trendy. But what happens when you give them a retro feel with little blue bows? It’s a niche look and definitely a conversation starter.
Chrome Bow Nails
Here's what happens when someone decides to play with embossing gel! Bows are just one of the decorative additions to these nails. It's the perfect compromise when you want a shiny, 3D texture that won't get in the way of daily life.
Emboss Gel Polish Nail Art - Silver
Christmas Present Bow Nails
Here's the type of bow nails that immediately comes to mind for many people. Like ribbons on packages, these red and green Christmas bows enhance a beautifully executed French manicure.
3D Bow Nails
Did you see Zola Ganzorigt’s bow nails she did for Ariana Greenblatt? They were inspired by Barbie the movie. The base color is OPI’s shimmery pink “Best Day Ever”. The rhinestones and bow charm were the last steps to complete the manicure.
How to DIY Bow Nails the Easy Way
As much as we'd all like to be able to do salon-worthy nail designs every time, it takes quite a bit of practice. Not every nail enthusiast has the time and money to perfect every trend that comes along. When you want to try bow nails without breaking the bank or spending hours perfecting them, all you need are a few shortcuts.
Nail stickers and charms are the easiest ways to accomplish bow nails. Stickers don't require extra adhesive, but charms will, depending on their size. Also, investigate nail art markers which are easier for novices than controlling a brush for intricate designs.
Lastly, sometimes less is better. Instead of decorating each nail with a bow, concentrate on one accent nail. You might find it fun to repurpose old press-on nails by redecorating them before adhering them to your fingertips. We hope your foray into bow nails designs satisfies your creative itch!
Conclusion
We would love to see what you do with your own bow nails design! Please tag us on social media when you share it so that we can enjoy your masterpiece.
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