Embrace the Curve with Hourglass Nail Designs That Mesmerize
Have you seen how enchanting hourglass nails designs are? In this article, we'll take a tour through the evolution of this captivating fashion. You'll see how a simple concept evolved into an Instagram trend thanks to celebrities and trendsetters. Then, we'll discuss where this negative space nail trend is headed and how you can adapt it to suit your style.
How Hourglass Nails Began
On the streets of West Hollywood under the dazzling lights of television, the hourglass nail design first made an appearance in 2013. Stylist Naja Rickette unveiled this mesmerizing look on the set of “L.A. Hair”. With a stroke of genius, she painted a wide, curvy stripe down the center of the nails, mirroring the elegance of an hourglass silhouette. It instantly made the nails look longer, slenderer, and more refined.
Next, fast-forward to fan-favorite HBO series “Euphoria” in January 2022. Once again hourglass nails took center stage. Nail wizard Natalie Minerva collaborated with actor Alexa Demie to pay homage to the legendary fashionista Thierry Mugler. Together, they dreamed up a new hourglass nails design for the character Maddy.
Finally, in February 2023 fashion-forward Kourtney Kardashian debuted red hourglass nails for Valentine’s Day. Crafted by the talented Kim Truong, these nails reinforced the trend for celebrities and influencers.
As you can imagine, hourglass nail designs keep evolving in color, shape, and size. They merge with other nail styles to create stunning new styles like Megan Thee Stallion’s serpent hourglass manicure in December 2023. Let’s take a look at where hourglass nails have been and dream of what they might become.
Hourglass Nail Designs
The OG Hourglass Nails Circa 2013
Here the hourglass silhouette is dark while the outline is light. It’s the inverse of what Kourtney Kardashian worse a decade later.
Valentine Red Hourglass Nails 2023
A decade later, the hourglass has a dark outline and a pale center. This is Kim Truong’s contemporary take on the style. It has roots in the classic French manicure and other negative space nail designs.
Bold Black Hourglass Nail Design
Sleekly sophisticated with a touch of sparkle, these hourglass nails make the fingertips look longer. The glossy black outline curves around the nude center, creating a sleek hourglass silhouette on each nail.
Can you tell that they were hand painted? Each hourglass is ever so slightly different from the next. If you're striving to create the perfect hourglass shape, we suggest using a stencil to guide your brush strokes. Nail tape is also helpful. It’s not cheating because it’s the same as a graphic artist using a ruler to get straight lines. Use the tools you have to save time and effort and make your manicure more enjoyable.
Line Art Gel
Rhinestones
Jelly Hourglass Nails
First, luscious pink that’s as juicy as it is glossy for that irresistible jelly nail look. Then, there’s the white hourglass design hugging the outline of each nail. It’s crisp, it’s clean, and it pops against the pink. Now, let’s talk length. These beauties are like soft gel tips, which are hands down the easiest and most natural-looking way to nail that fabulous length.
LDS Soft Gel Nail Tips
Lavis Gel Nail Polish Duo - 111 Pink Colors - Priscilla
Hourglass Heart Nails
Here the nude pink shade provides a natural, subtle backdrop for the more intricate elements. The flawless hourglass outline adds sophistication and symmetry to the overall look. But it’s the little black hearts that won us over.
Double Hourglass
This stunning hourglass nail design blends minimalist elegance and contemporary edge. The short nails are transformed into appearing longer thanks to the smart design. A pristine milky white base sets the stage for the bold black outlines tracing the contours of an hourglass. Within these striking silhouettes lies a sliver of silvery chrome, a metallic whisper that catches the light and the eye, for a luxurious touch.
Almond Aura Nails with Chrome Hourglasses
These almond-shaped aura nails have a mystical allure. Did you know that a silver aura is linked to spiritual abundance, cosmic awakening, and hidden talents? It’s a harmonious color that mirrors the equilibrium within the timeless hourglass design. This manicure could be more than just a fashion statement: they’re a reflection of someone’s spiritual journey.
Gradient Hourglass Nail Design
Here is a soothing blue gradient design where each nail is a miniature hourglass. You could say it’s a reminder that every moment is precious and fleeting. When will you try out an hourglass nail design for yourself?
LDS Gentle White Collection
LDS Color Craze Collection - Blue
Other Negative Space Designs to Inspire Your Hourglass Nails
Hourglass nails are a swirly design with a fixed pattern. Like all negative space designs, part of the nail is light or nude and the rest is dark. Let’s see what other similar styles you could experiment with.
For one, a reverse French manicure is a trendy look you can easily achieve at home. When you’re done, you’ll have a half-moon shape on the base of your nails instead of a crescent on the tips.
Next, there are double French tips that follow the same arched style as the classic French manicure, but with two thin strips of color at the tip instead of the single white smile line. Alternatively, follow the suggestion of celebrity artist Julie Kandalec and do floating French tips with a single straight line one-third of the way down the nail.
Finally, there are color blocked nails that favor various geometries but can also look just like hourglass nails. Think triangles, diamonds, and chevrons that use the natural nail color as part of the pattern.
Conclusion
As always, the true essence of nail elegance lies in the details of the design. Hourglass nails are elegant, versatile, and easily create the illusion of length with minimal effort. Imagine how you could customize them with gems, colors, or even a 3D effect. Soon, you’ll have the conversation starter you’ve dreamed of flaunting on your fingertips.
Browse our home page and catch sales on products to jumpstart your next manicure adventure. And for the connoisseurs of convenience, we offer the luxury of free shipping on orders over $100.
