Greek Goddess Nails Are Having A Moment
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2 months ago
Give your mani the mythological treatment
Pinterest’s autumn report is in. And, according to the numbers, Greek goddess nails are about to become the next big thing at the salon. Searches for the trend have shot up by 1,975 percent in recent months – overshadowed only by the coquettish bow nail trend, at 2,220 percent. It makes us wonder what exactly Aphrodite gets up to at her local nail bar (and if we can get in on her beauty secrets).
What Are Greek Goddess Nails?
Greek goddess nails take inspiration from the female deities of ancient mythology to create a highly decorative manicure. Think Olympian-level glamour, with references to ancient Greek sculpture, painting, architecture, armour and jewellery.
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Breaking down the trend, Abigail Edwards, brand manager at ORLY UK, says it can be summed up with three themes: marble textures, gold accents and sculptural effects. ‘Marble patterns are a signature element for this Greek-inspired trend,’ she says. ‘With white or cream marble as a basecoat with grey, blue or gold veining as a popular accent choice. This helps to give nails an elegant, sculptural look that mimics the beauty of ancient Greek statues and temples.
‘Gold accents can include metallic gold elements, whether as delicate foiling or a touch of chrome,’ she continues. ‘This is to evoke a luxurious touch, as seen in ancient Greek jewellery.’
As for the sculpture factor: ‘Finally, sculptural effects are added as textural finishes,’ says Abigail. ‘Think raised detailing or 3D elements like pearls or metallic beads that help add dimension to the nail to complete the trend.’
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Type the trend into TikTok and you’ll also find a whopping 2.9 million posts showcasing the trend in all its golden glory. But internet popularity aside, Abigail sees Greek goddess nails becoming an even bigger hit as party season approaches. ‘Everyone is looking to dial up their manicures as glamour takes centre stage,’ she says. ‘You can really up the luxurious feel of this manicure, thanks to extravagant adornments and textures. Perfect for party season.’
How To Ask For Greek Goddess Nails At The Salon
‘When requesting Greek goddess nails at a salon, you can bring inspiration photos or mood boards showcasing the colours, styles, textures and designs you like,’ suggests Abigail. ‘This is a manicure without a set look, so you’ll need to have some specific ideas in mind. Pinterest and Instagram are great sources for images to show your manicurist.’
Some of the things you can ask for to get the Greek goddess look include:
- Gold detailing
- Gold chrome
- Glitter accents
- Sculptural/textural nail art (e.g. pearls, gold beads)
- Greek motifs (e.g. laurel wreaths, olive branches, stars or crescents in gold chrome)
Which Nail Shape Works Best?
This is a manicure that might need a little more room for nail art, so Abigail suggests opting for almond or long, oval-shaped nails. ‘This will give you a more elongated and classic look,’ she says.
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How To Recreate The Look At Home
If you want to take the creative process home with you, you’re in luck: a Greek goddess manicure is pretty easy to nail. Abigail recommends going down the marble route for your first try. ‘Start with a marble look by using a white or cream base, then swirling in a colour of your choice with a fine brush or sponge,’ she advises. ‘You can also purchase gold foil or gold leaf nail art sheets for a touch of glam. Simply apply these to your nails using tweezers and seal it in with a topcoat for a luxurious finish.’
Colours
The trend isn’t just about marble though – there’s a whole range of shades associated with Greek goddess nails. There’s the azure blue of the Aegean sea, the deep green of pitted olives, the ivory and off-white of freshly sculpted stone and the romantic blush tones that splash across the sky at sunset.
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Motifs
You can also get a little more literal with your nail art. ‘Some Greek motifs you can get creative with include laurel wreaths and olive branches,’ suggests Abigail. ‘The illustrations that adorned ancient Greek vases are also suited to this trend. Think linear and geometric patterns that can be painted in gold for a structured yet decorative touch. And with mythology being so closely linked to the stars and planets, celestial symbols also make a lovely addition to the set.’
What Next?
The trend is set to only get bigger and bolder going forward. ‘I can see the trend taking on more sculptural designs,’ muses Abigail. ‘More experimental touches and 3D embellishments, like miniature statues or busts. And while the current trend favours muted, natural tones, future iterations may involve richer jewel tones, like deep sapphire, emerald or amethyst, to give a more regal, goddess-like feel.’
Manicure Inspiration
1. Celestial Goddess Nails
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2. Gold Chrome
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3. Aegean Blue
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4. Armoured Texture
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5. Greek Goddess Motifs
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6. Marble Nails
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7. Sculptural Patterns
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Featured image: @nailavenuebeautylounge on Instagram
