Who could imagine that sardines belong on nails? Sure, these little fish have a big role to play at mealtimes, but what about in a manicure? What’s the attraction? Let’s find out! Here are sardine nail art ideas to whet your appetite for fish nails!
Sardine Nail Art Ideas
Loving These Sardine Nails
Declare your feminine power with Barbie pink nails, then season them with sardine designs. It only takes a few ellipses to create the cans and the fish with the little heart-shaped fins. But what do sardines have in common with beautiful nails? Read on to find out.
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Valentine’s Day Date Nails
What could be better than romance and sardines all in one place? This fish nail art features a whimsical pair of amorous sardines plus one that’s plunged into a martini already. Is this a sign that the relationship is swimming along or sinking fast?
Sardine Facts
Maybe it’s because of everyone’s European vacations lately or perhaps it’s the popularity of fishermancore nails. For some reason, sardine nail art is trending. What makes this little fish so special?
First, sardines are not anchovies – they are different sizes and have dissimilar flavors. Sardines are a little sweet while anchovies are salty. But unlike swordfish or tuna, there isn’t just one type of fish identifiable as a sardine. Instead, it’s a class of oily, petite-sized fish that thrives in various parts of the world.
Nail artists who have googled what sardines look like discover they tend to have a silvery, tube-shaped body with pointy snouts and few fins. Some have a little green or blue on their backs.
One of the species classified as a sardine is the European pilchard living in the Mediterranean and Atlantic oceans. If you go on vacation to Italy or Portugal, you’ll likely eat pilchard as part of the many festivals throughout the summer. During the celebration of St. Anthony in Lisboa, Portugal, people even parade with giant sardines made of paper. No, we don’t know why, but the grilled fish is very tasty!
On the other hand, family gatherings in Central America and Mexico will serve up the Pacific sardine. It’s a smaller fish, often smoked or salted to preserve it. Those traditional methods have been used for thousands of years.
Canning sardines only became common in the 19th century after a fellow in France invented the process. Soon, canned sardines became big business in Sardinia, Italy, the place which gave this fish its name. What’s more, the island cuisine includes a long list of traditional delicacies based on sardines.
In a world where mercury poisoning from seafood is a big problem, sardines are a safe bet. They don’t accumulate heavy metal like larger fish do because they live off plankton. So, go ahead and enjoy sardines and sardine nail art as much as you want!
Sardine Skittles
We just told you that sardines are silver-colored fish, but you are a nail artist. You have a creative license to innovate. So, break out that new palette of gel colors and have fun! Skittle nails are still a completely valid way to test out all your favorite shades at once.
LAVIS 3 In 1 Pat Pat Gel - P06
Small Sardine with Mediterranean Delights
Nude nails are trendy (but a little boring). If you feel like dressing them up with minimalist nail art that draws in the viewer for a closer look, we’re quite sure that tiny starfish, olives, oranges, and sardines are going to be popular additions this year.
Stamped Sardines
True tale: there are stores in Portugal dedicated exclusively to canned fish. It’s mind-boggling to see the colorful tins stacked up to the ceiling and displayed on tabletops like candy. If you’re lucky, they’ll be handing out free samples to tempt you to load up your luggage or ship a case home.
By the way, these charming sardine nails are stamped. It’s the perfect method to quickly get flawless results without doodling each tiny scale and fin.
Silvery Sardines on Sheer Nails
But if you feel like hand-drawing sardine nail art, let these shiny fish inspire you. From a distance, it just seems like you’ve got metallic accents on your sheer set. But then a closer look reveals a so-fishticated surprise!
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Excuse Me, But You Have Fish on Your Nails
These impeccably groomed natural nails are shimmering with sardines. They say eating fish is good for nail health and we can’t disagree. The fin-tastic finish makes it seem the fish are swimming in champagne.
Canned Sardines
You’ve heard the expression, “packed like sardines in a can”. Well, here are sardines in a can and they are so cute! Seriously, just look at those tiny can openers!
If you haven’t tried canned sardines yet, you have lots of flavors to explore. Sardines come packed in water, olive oil, smoked hot pepper, ravigote (similar to tartar sauce), paprika, lemon, mustard, and brava sauce (oil, chili pepper, and garlic). You can also find boneless sardines if you like, but the bones are generally soft and can be eaten.
Although it’s fine to eat sardines straight from the can, you can also include them in:
- salad with lime juice, Kalamata olives, cucumbers, and tomatoes
- pasta with garlic, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and red pepper flakes
- a rice bowl with kimchi
- tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and sour cream
- a grilled cheese sandwich with dill
Now, it’s time to plan your lunch or dinner to celebrate after you finish creating sardine nail art.
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3D Sardine Nails
Do you remember Betina Goldstein’s 2023 3D mackerel nail? This recent sardine nail sculpture reminds us of it. The artist used builder gel and chrome powder among other tools to make the sardine like the canned fish inspiration.
Conclusion
Sardine nails are an unexpected trend that’s lighting up our feeds and making us smile. If you’re fishing for more trendy nail art ideas, browse our blog for inspiration. We have both the essential and the creative supplies you need at the right price in our store.
Sources:
https://www.tastingtable.com/1275562/facts-about-sardines-should-know
