I haven’t been shy about the fact that I’m not a fan of minimal manicures. While they certainly had their moment (looking at you, soap nails), I’m excited to see a quirkier manicure take shape this season. Let me introduce you to twee nails, a style built on pastel tones, artsy designs and a retro feel. According to Pinterest, the search for ‘twee nails’ has surged in popularity and I predict it’s going to be a huge hit this summer. I tapped three manicurists to learn more about this trendy technique and how to achieve it right at home.
Twee Nails Are Kicking Soap Nails to the Curb
Artsy nails are back baby
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Published May 5, 2025
Dasha Burobina/Getty Images
Meet the Experts
- Juli Russell is a manicurist and DIY nail expert for Sally Beauty. She specializes in trendy nail looks and intricate nail art and educates others on nail care via Instagram.
- Julie Ventura is a master nail art specialist and global educator for ORLY. She's also the founder of NailKnowHow, a platform that helps professional and aspiring nail artists through educational courses, guides and mentorship.
- Priscilla Nguyen is a nail artist and brand educator for Aprés Nail, a nail care brand that offers Gel-X extensions, gel nail polish and nail art tools.
What Are Twee Nails?
“Twee is a word that means ‘excessively quaint, pretty, cutesy or sentimental.’ In the most charming way possible,” Russell explains. “The aesthetic is all about celebrating the sweet and slightly awkward without apology,” she adds. This buzzy manicure is not afraid to make a statement—a far cry from the neutral tones and non-nail art looks we’ve been seeing lately. Some common designs include blooming florals, swirly lines, polka dots and pastel tones. “Twee nails offer an easy, elevated way to add personality without overwhelming the hand. They feel effortless, a little nostalgic, but—more importantly—cool,” Ventura tells me. “I love that twee nails strike the perfect balance between creative and wearable. They're a reminder that small, thoughtful details can be just as impactful as bold designs, and often feel even more sophisticated.”
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Why Are They So Popular Right Now?
At its core, it’s all about sporting unique, cute and vibrant designs with a little nostalgia thrown into the mix. “People are craving the sweetness and sincerity of pre-algorithm internet days, and twee nails are a little time machine back to that simpler, artsy, slightly awkward Tumblr era,” shares Russell. “Plus, they’re so customizable, every twee nail set feels personal and one-of-a-kind, which is perfect in a world where everyone’s tired of cookie-cutter trends.”
Original Photography by Chelsea Candelario
How to Ask for Twee Nails at the Salon
If you’re looking for inspiration, Pinterest and Instagram are home to so many twee nail designs. Just come prepared to show some photos and communicate with your nail tech on what you’re looking for. Need more guidance? Per our experts, here are a few things to ask for at the salon to get twee nails:
- Dainty details like micro-hearts, bows and polka dots
- Playful, scattered doodles across the nails—not just full bold patterns
- An artsy, retro and a little whimsical feel, not Instagram-perfect or overly sleek designs
- Delicate, curated nail art with an elevated feel
How Achieve Twee Nails at Home
Once you prep and shape your nails, all you need to get twee nails at home are some nail art brushes and the nail polish of your choice. Then, pop on a YouTube video or check out some ideas below and have fun sketching out your own creation straight on your nails. But if you’re not much of an artist, nail stickers will do the trick, too. Pro tip: Russell recommends applying nail stickers on gel manicures and sealing them with a top coat for a “seamless protective seal.” There’s also the option of press-on nails, which I find to be very useful in switching between different designs and keeping things tidy.
6 Twee Nail Ideas
1. Fruit Salad
The warmer months call for a fruit-inspired manicure. Consider a free draw or pop on some stickers to add some oomph to your neutral base.
2. Mix ‘n Match Millennial
Russell recommends this style, which reminds her of her Tumblr days. Just play around with different patterns and colors to make these twee nails uniquely yours.
3. Animal Print
Nguyen is keeping an eye out for this twee manicure come June. She shares, “Twee nails bring back that old school aesthetic and what is more nostalgic and vintage than animal print?” My point exactly.
4. Stars
Looking for a fun, quirky manicure? Look no further than this pastel number, featuring huge colorful stars that are the center of attention.
5. Retro Florals
Twee nails are often synonymous with florals, so go fully in on the trend and decorate each nail in this vintage-inspired motif.
6. Monochromatic
If you’re into one specific color, here’s some art inspo to try on each nail. “It has a different quirky design on each finger while still keeping within the monochromatic aesthetic,” says Nguygen.
The main takeaway is to just have fun. I’m ecstatic that we can play around with manicures again—and the manicurists I interviewed agree. “Twee nails feel like a love letter to my inner art kid, the one who made friendship bracelets and decorated her diary with sticker sheets and glitter gel pens,” Russell tells me. “Twee nails are playful without being childish, and even the ‘imperfect’ designs are part of the charm. Plus, they make me happy every time I glance down at my hands. Isn’t that what good nails should do?!” Hear, hear.
