What is bold, edgy, fun, and dominating both the fashion and beauty realms? Animal prints. After a wild run across clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories, animal prints have now gained access to the nail world. Animal print nails, featuring leopard, zebra, snakeskin, cow, and even deer prints, are now being splashed across manicures, making them the coolest nail trend of the season.
One reason animal print nails are everywhere is their seamless crossover from fashion to beauty. Trends rarely stay in one lane anymore. When animal prints started resurfacing on runways and in wardrobes, it was only a matter of time before the movement migrated to fingertips. The beauty world took notice, and so did celebrities.
Everyone from global pop stars like Dua Lipa to beauty moguls like Hailey Bieber, have been flaunting their own version of the motif, pushing the trend even deeper into the spotlight.
What’s interesting is how varied the animal print nails have become. Leopard remains the crowd favorite and has quickly evolved from a simple full-pattern nail to clever mismatched designs that mix the print with French tips or solid colors. Snakeskin is the choice for anyone who prefers their manicure with edge. The high-contrast pattern adds attitude without overwhelming the hand. Tortoiseshell, meanwhile, offers a more polished take on the animal print nails trend. It has long been a fall and winter classic in accessories, so its rise on nails feels both natural and timeless. For those who prefer a little extra something, you can always add a hint of glitter or a chrome finish to your patterned manicure.
What makes the trend so appealing is its flexibility. You can go maximalist and commit to full-print across all ten nails, or keep it subtle with just one bold moment. You can scale the pattern up or down. You can mix motifs. You can go glossy, matte, soft, or sharp. The possibilities are endless, which is why it’s becoming a winter staple.
Dialing your nail artist? You might want to scroll through our gallery of inspiration before! Scroll down to discover Buro’s favorite animal print nails.
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