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Sunday Edit | 10 Beauty Trend Predictions for 2023, According to Experts

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Just as with fashion, beauty trends come and go — and it always seems to be cyclical with the changing years. This is true in all areas of beauty — skincare, haircare, makeup, you name it. What’s in one year may very well be out in the next, or even within a handful of months, and much of this is determined by the seasons. 

We’re seeing trends come from makeup artists and amateur creators alike — and we have Instagram and TikTok to thank for that. It’s much easier for a certain trend to catch on and there always seems to be a new trend right behind it.

If you’re hoping to get ahead of the crowd and capitalize on beauty trends even before they’ve caught on with everyone else, here’s what beauty professionals believe will be most popular in 2023.

Proper Nail and Cuticle Care: What You’re Probably Doing Wrong

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Has all this handwashing got you thinking more about your nails and cuticle health? Makes sense. With so much focus on keeping our hands clean, many of us are noticing things we hadn’t before.

Even if you are someone who goes to the nail salon or paints their nails regularly, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re healthy. Though there’s nothing to say that proper nail care can’t also be fashionable. 

But before we launch into how to take care of your nails, here are a few fun facts that put their importance into perspective.

  • Your nails are made from the same material as your hair and the first layer of your skin called keratin.
  • It takes between four and six months to fully regrow your nail.
  • If you’re right-handed, the nails on that hand grow faster. (Same if you’re left-handed.)
  • Your nails can’t survive without blood.
  • You can get clues about your physical health from our nails, which should be spot-free, slightly pink, smoothe, non-peely, and mostly even in length.

Now on to basic fingernail care. Since they are made of keratin it’s probably no surprise that healthy nails and nail care looks a lot like healthy skin and hair care.

Wash and gently exfoliate your nails with a mild soap and an old toothbrush after you’ve erased leftover polish with a non-acetone remover.

Protect your nails by wearing gloves anytime you’re handling chemicals or doing dishes. Avoid digging under the nails with metal instruments, which can introduce bacteria.

Clip nails at least every two weeks in order to prevent chips, snags, and breakages.

Don’t bite your nails. Your mom was right. Biting your nails isn’t only a bad habit, it’s one that could make you sick, not to mention compromise the health of your fingertips. 

Clean your nail tools after every use. To keep your nails free of infection, they should be disinfected regularly.

Apply a base coat before polish. It helps strengthen the nail and protect it from being stained. Pro tip: you can apply a layer of gloss between each application to help protect tips and make them appear thicker.

Stay away from nail polishes with chemicals like dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, and toluene. They can dry out the nail bed and lead to brittle, split or cracked nails.

Limit UV exposure if you have acrylic nails or gel manicures. In other words, skip the drying device at the end of your nail appointment. If you can’t avoid it, wear an SPF of at least 30 and preferably 50.

Be careful when using press-on nails. The glue can be harsh on your actual nail. If you are going to use them, make sure your nail bed is completely dry before applying. 

Let nails rest between polishes. Your nails need to breathe. Make sure you give them a beat between salon trips and at-home painting sessions so they can literally catch their breath. 

Take your vitamins. You are what you eat–and so are your nails. Protein-rich foods like beans and fish as well as supplements like fish oil can help you maintain healthy nails and cuticles from the inside out.

Stay hydrated. Dehydration can cause your nails to break and peel. Drinking the recommended 8-10 cups a day will help them grow long and strong. 

Watch for infections. The signs of infection are clear if you know what you’re looking for. Just like the rest of your body, redness, swelling, and pain all mean it’s time for action. To avoid nail fungal infections, take these signs seriously and see your doctor if you suspect something is brewing. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you care for your nails?

Some form of daily nail care is recommended, and at least weekly is advised.

Why should nails be kept clean?

Dirt and bacteria can cause infections at the cuticle level and prevent your nails from getting the oxygen they need to grow properly.

Should I file my nails daily?

Nails can be filed as often as needed to buff out rough edges. Try using a glass (also called crystal) nail file to avoid snagging.

Is pushing your cuticle back healthy?

Pushing your cuticles back isn’t recommended as it protects the nail matrix from bacteria and infection. All you need to do is keep them moisturized.

Knowing how to get healthy cuticles and nails isn’t always intuitive. But with a little TLC and some help from the experts, you can have healthy hands that appear younger and more vibrant.

Gina Rivera

Gina Rivera

Beauty Icon and Expert

Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

    Festive Holiday Nail Designs for the Season’s Merriest Manicure

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    Hanging stockings with care this December? Imagine how good a holiday manicure would look decorating that merry mantle.

    That’s right. Tis the season of all things festive and that should include your nails. We’re not talking a simple slick of red or green polish either. A quick Instagram search for holiday Christmas nails will inspire you with eye-popping xmas nail art that’s definitely on the nice list.  

    However, you don’t have to look any further than this post for winter nail designs so cute you won’t even want to wear gloves. The only difficult part will be settling on just one. Fortunately, with New Year’s Eve soon to follow, you have several weeks worth of celebrations to plan your polish around. Who knows, you may decide to switch out your holiday nails each week!

    Ready to try your hand at nail art designs for the holidays? These seasonal nail designs are perfect for those of us who need a little more holly jolly in our lives.

    Festive Nails

    Looking for a mani that can take you from Christmas to Kwanza to New Years? Stick with a shimmer polish. There are endless ways to display your sparkle.

    You might try a green with gold glitter flecks, a red with silver specs, or a champagne shine.

    Stars are another way to add some twinkle, literally. Star nail art was #trending this summer, but transitions beautifully this time of year, too. Whether you have your nail pro add one oversized star at the center of your nail bed or go for a subtler starry motif on the tips, shimmery celestial nails are superstars.

    Of course, it’s not just about the color polish you pick, but how it’s applied. Giving your nails some negative space will help the polished parts appear even more luminous.

    Image courtesy of @basecoatstories Instagram

    Feel like blending the two? Try coating the base of your nail with something glittery and defining the tips of your nails in a soft red or green. It’s a sophisticated take on a French manicure that will have you shining like the city of lights.

    Image courtesy of @lijana_varna Instagram

    Christmas Nails

    There are as many ways to paint your nails for Christmas as there are ways to celebrate, but these are a few of our favorites.

    A classic combo like green and gold will certainly help you have yourself a merry little Christmas. Whether you apply them abstractly, geometrically, or as an accent nail, some color combos are a gift all on their own.

    Image courtesy of @Perfectly_Polished_Jessica Instagram

    Absolutely everyone is trying plaid nails this year. From flannel to buffalo, this classic crisscross pattern is part edgy and totally trendy.

    Image courtesy of @me_crystal_b Instagram

    Red nail designs from candy cane stripes to sugar plum berries will definitely help you spread some serious Christmas cheer.

    Image courtesy of @Tracys.Top.Claws Instagram

    Holiday polka dots are another crowd favorite. Red and green are the obvious choice, but they’re not the only ones. You can alternate primary colors and polka dot shades to keep it interesting or go with secondary Christmas colors like blue hues.

    Image courtesy of @Perfectly_Polished_Jessica Instagram

    Christmas acrylic nails can accommodate entire holiday scenes from trees and ornaments to poinsettias and reindeer.

    Image courtesy of @aimieball__nailsandbeauty Instagram

    Simple Nail Designs

    Your nails don’t have to be ornate to be ornamental. If simple, easy Christmas nails are more your speed, try out a more subdued shellac.

    An ombre snow effect that gently fades from opaque white to clear glossy “icicle” will have you looking and feeling cool as a cucumber. If you want to dress them up, center a small metallic bead at the base of your cuticle.

    Image courtesy of @bozena_kaszuba_indigo Instagram

    A chic silver manicure is always right on time, too. To give it a little holiday flair, ask your nail artist to add a carefully curated scattering of red or orbs of white.

    Image courtesy of @natj_nails Instagram

    Sometimes a little dimension is in order. A few tasteful tiny pearl “snowballs” are a conversation piece so pretty you won’t even need jewelry. A few simple strands of tinsel or wispy white snowflakes on an otherwise glossy base layer will create a no frills winter wonderland. It’s the perfect mix of neutral nail meets holiday nail design

    Image courtesy of @misslizheart Instagram.

    Not Christmasy enough? A nude or baby pink polish and an ultra-thin crimson tip will make the season bright.

    Image courtesy of @rachelsuenails Instagram

    Designing your nails for the holidays is tradition as timeless as the yuletide. Though just like Santa, it’s important to make sure you have the right little helpers to complete the job. If you can dream it, the right nail professional can paint it! 

    XOXO,

    Gina

    Click on the Nail Care tab on ginasplatform.com to find the best nail salons in NYC and LA or use the Gina’s Platform app to find a Manicurist near you.

    Gina Rivera

    Gina Rivera

    Beauty Icon and Expert

    Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.

      Glass French Manicures Are THE Trend

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      #OscarFashion is irresistible – looking at you Janelle Monáe. But for most of us, its couture gowns and statement jewelry are way out of reach. Though there is one award show trend you can totally nail (pun intended).

      Glass French manicures are jumping off the red carpet, taking over our Instagram feeds, and becoming a staple at the top nail salons in Los Angeles – and we’re totally here for it.

      The look is a long, transparent take of a 90s classic. It’s part jelly manicure, part floating French, and totally nouveau.

      The emphasis is on the ends but not in a white-tipped-acrylic way. Instead, the nails are elongated with a translucent tip then outlined, bejeweled, and shellacked to perfection.

      Ahead, we’ve rounded up our favorite variations for the Oscar manicure-obsessed.  

      Classic Glass Slippers

      Photo Courtesy of: @nailjob Instagram

      In this modern-day Cinderella story, the nail beds are slightly pinkened and capped with see-through ballerina tips for a graceful finish. This is the foundation from which nail artists are building their classic french manicure masterpieces. (Though they’re slammin’ solo, too!)

      Glitterati Glass

      Photo Courtesy of: @umas.beautyworld Instagram

      These bases are loaded with inventive shimmer designs that give the glass tips additional star power. We especially love the focus from the nail artist of making the cuticle cute and will be copying immediately.

      Blinged Out Beds

      Photo Courtesy of: @candylandnailz Instagram

      Sometimes, more is more. If extra is your middle name, this swarvoski crystal glass nail design has your number. Bedazzled from base to tip, it’s not for the faint of heart – emphasis on the ‘art’. This intricate french manicure is nothing short of top of the line nail art and we can only say that that us a talented nail artist. We can’t wait to get our hands on this dynamic design, literally.   

      Stained Glass

      Photo Courtesy of: @nailcandyshop Instagram

      Few works of art are more revered than stained glass. Something about the interplay between light and color is completely captivating. Now, it’s a mesmerizing experience you can capture at your next manicure appointment, and believe us we’re planning to!

      Single Pane

      Photo Courtesy of: @jessiepnails Instagram

      Like the look of glass French manicures, but aren’t sure if you’re ready to take the plunge? Why not test out the look on just one nail to start? It’s a gradual way to try the trend without committing to a whole new nail experience. This sheik french manicure takes away those white tips and launches you into the peak of the new nail trends.

      Basically, Oscar nails are the newest way to get your celeb fashion fix. But if Billie Eilish’s long black Oscar nails aren’t quite your speed, don’t worry. Maybe these crystalline cuties will be. 

      xoxo,

      Gina

      Click on the Nail Care tab on ginasplatform.com to find the best nail salons in NYC and LA or use the Gina’s Platform app to find a Manicurist near you

      Gina Rivera

      Gina Rivera

      Beauty Icon and Expert

      Gina Rivera skyrocketed to success when the company she founded in 2007, Phenix Salon Suites, became the fastest-growing salon suite company in the beauty industry. With more than 300 locations nationally and international expansion occurring in the UK, Entrepreneur Magazine named Phenix Salon Suites a Top 500 Franchise list seven years running.