People In London, Paris and Copenhagen Always Ask For These Chic Nail Colours (2024)

Much how each European capital has its signature cuisines, the same goes for beauty trends. While the French are known for pairing bare skin with a bold red lip (perhaps while stocking up on their French pharmacy favourites), in Copenhagen they are inspiring us with their effortless yet chic Scandi hairstyles. The cool girls in Italy, meanwhile, are all about feeding their skin from within to achieve that 'dolce vita' glow.

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(Image credit: @juliesfi)

Which made me think, what the key nail trends from each of the major European fashion capitals? While we're well acquainted with international nail trends, I wanted to know what our European neighbours are booking in for when they are visiting the salon. To find out, I asked nail technicians and experts to share their expertise on the top nail trends. You'll find plenty of inspo for your next nail appointment below.

The Most Popular European Nail Trends:

Paris

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(Image credit: @erinoffduty)

Parisian women opt for classic and timeless colours for their manicures.

Christian David, founder of nail brand Kure Bazaar Paris, which has an established nail salon within Le Bon Marché, one of the most stylish department stores in the world, and welcomes many chic clients through its salon doors.

"In Paris, we are very classic in colour. We love the neutrals and the reds, always the timeless shades. We prefer natural polishes compared to gels and solid colours reign over nail art," he says. "For the day, there is a big trend for a very fresh and transparent nude, a simple clean and healthy hue. For the night, everyone asks for a chic red colour or a dark red shade with a touch of black."

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(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

A deep red is a classic choice for elegant nails.

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(Image credit: @frannyfyne)

Make like the Parisian's and opt for a neutral hue.

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(Image credit: @styleheroine)

A timeless red transcends any occasion and season.

Shop Paris-inspired polishes:

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Chanel

Le Vernis Nail Colour in Rouge Noir

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Hermès

Les Mains Hermès Nail Enamel in 64 Rouge Casaque

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Dior

Base Vernis

London

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(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

In London, we're embracing those deeper tones, says London based mobile manicurist and founder of Nails by Mets, Metta Francis. "We're seeing the rise in popularity of green—from paler olive shades to darker hues." Chocolate browns are also proving popular.

"Nail art wise, expect to see accents and designs in metallic silver and chrome in all its iterations."

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(Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland)

The 'clean girl' trend for milky nails remains huge in London. "The 'clean girl aesthetic' trend continues to reign and is the in-demand look for many of my celebrity clients walking the red carpet," says London-based manicurist, Emily Rose Lansley. "Opt for a natural nail colour in either a milky white shade or a natural rose that compliments the skin tone for a fresh and clean finish."

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(Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland)

Jelly nails are making a comeback in London. "Classic shades such as pillar box red are no longer opaque, but sheer and jelly-like," says Francis. "The classic shade may be mixed with a clear to achieve this look—techniques that can be used with nail polish and gel/gel polish—or special, pre made jelly polishes are available."

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(Image credit: @monikh)

From olive to deep crocodile, all shades of green are proving popular in London right now.

Shop London-inspired nail polishes:

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Essie

Marshmallow Sheer White Nail Polish

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Nailberry

L'Oxygéné Oxygenated Nail Lacquer in Taupe LA

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Nails Inc

Hyde Park Court Gel Effect Nail Polish

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Orly

Sweet Serenity Breathable Nail Polish

Copenhagen

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(Image credit: @monamali_)

Women in Copenhagen are favouring the chrome finishes for their manicures, and are experimenting with layering different polishes and colours for unexpected finishes. "Fresh takes on chrome nails have been on the rise; playing on the subtle differences of metallic and foil finishes through polish layering and the addition unexpected colours," says Therese Niko Busch, head of global product for Denmark nail brand, Alûstre.

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(Image credit: @cassandra.cadwell)

"Clean minimalism is a Scandi aesthetic staple, and this market knows just the way to add subtle detailing to always keep the look fresh and not boring," says Busch. "For nails, this trend takes shape with 'barely-there' polish - keeping gloss extremely high with a clear top coat layered on top of sheer coverage nude polish colours," she says.

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(Image credit: @amalienielsenn)

"The French tip is making its way back into the Scandi nail scene, but in a much more subtle way," notes Busch. "Using sheer coverage polishes, such as a rosy base coat and a milky polish for the tip, the effect is an elevated and discreet manicure that reinvents this classic look."

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(Image credit: @pink_oblivion)

A coat of a barely-there polish makes nails look healthy instantly.

Shop Copenhagen-inspired nail polishes:

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Alûstre

028r Top Coat

Kure Bazaar

Nail Polish in French Nude

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Manucurist

Nail Art Brush

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OPI

Nail Lacquer, Tiramisu for Two

This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

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People In London, Paris and Copenhagen Always Ask For These Chic Nail Colours (2024)

FAQs

What color nails are popular in Paris? ›

"In Paris, we are very classic in colour. We love the neutrals and the reds, always the timeless shades. We prefer natural polishes compared to gels and solid colours reign over nail art," he says. "For the day, there is a big trend for a very fresh and transparent nude, a simple clean and healthy hue.

What color nail polish is popular in Europe? ›

When it comes to specific colors, Europeans are, on the whole, keeping it classic, with red trending in France, pink in Italy, milky white in Portugal and nude in the UK. Breaking free from the classic looks, however, is Sweden, where neon nails are the top search.

What color nail polish does the Queen of England wear? ›

In fact, our monarch is so associated with the seashell pink, Essie Ballet Slippers, that royal folklore once suggested it was protocol to wear nothing stronger than a nude hue.

What color nail polish does Princess Kate wear? ›

The princess is known for her groomed fingertips, regularly stepping out with a pink manicure courtesy of Essie's 'Allure'.

Which nail color looks elegant? ›

Nude or Beige

It has a refined and tidy appearance that complements any color scheme. Beige or nude nails look elegant and classic, offering them a flexible option for any setting. These hues also give the fingers a more elongated, refined appearance.

What colour is French nail polish? ›

A French manicure will create a chic, sophisticated and timeless look. For the French manicure base: Choose either a pale pink, nude or clear nail polish. For the French tip: we recommend Dubai Calling, Seeking Paradise or Pearl-fection.

What color nail polish is best for travel? ›

Pastels, in particular, work great for summer travel or any spontaneous getaway throughout the year. The light lilac from essie adds a soft and feminine touch, while the light blue from Vernis à Ongles is reminiscent of a good day at the beach. And these are just a few options for spring and upcoming summer!

What nail polish does Victoria Beckham wear? ›

The 'It's in the Clouds' gel polish from OPI matches Victoria Beckham's tone particularly well. A matting top coat such as 'Gel Couture Matte' by Essie is then applied on top. Of course, you can also always just go to the salon and get a longer lasting manicure with BIAB or gel.

What colour nail polish goes with everything? ›

White Nails

If you don't know how to wear white nail polish, don't fret, it's actually the easiest color to pair. White nails truly go with everything and make any color pop.

Does Kate Middleton paint her toes? ›

“But honestly it's no surprise that Kate left her toes natural, as the Duchess is known to favor an understated look. She only wears neutral shades on her fingernails, for example. What really has us worried though is how she treats her feet and often opts for painful footwear over practical.”

What nail polish does Meghan wear? ›

Meghan chose CND Shellac in Unmasked and Negligee for her bridal manicure. When Meghan Markle tied the knot with Prince Harry in 2018, she too mixed a number of nail polish shades. The bride wore one layer of Unmasked CND Shellac, with two coats of CND Shellac Negligee on top.

What nail polish do the royals use? ›

Essie is obviously a royal family favourite, as reported on the nail polish brand's website, it was the brand “chosen by Princess Catherine Middleton on the day of her marriage.”

What was Princess Diana's favorite nail polish? ›

In particular, Princess Di preferred a a squared-off, short white French tip with a sheer pink base.

What nail polish did Marilyn Monroe wear? ›

Per the List, we now know her favorite nail polish came from Revlon, and her iconic, go-to red shad is still available to buy! The best part? They're only $5.

What perfume Kate Middleton wears? ›

According to multiple outlets, including Harper's Bazaar and Marie Claire, Kate Middleton's signature scent is the Jo Malone London Orange Blossom Cologne. She adores this aroma so much, in fact, that the candle version was lit as she walked down the aisle during her wedding!

What colors look best in Paris? ›

For my Spring trips to Paris I often pack a variety of neutral colors that allow me to mix and match easily. Think tees in a variety of black, white and neutral stripes, jeans in blue, black and white and blazers or trench coats in timeless colors that you can layer. Get more neutral outfit inspiration.

What is the best color for a French manicure? ›

A sheer pink polish or a builder gel will achieve the most natural French manicured nails. Your skin tone should be the main focus when choosing a base shade; for example, rose-based shades are great for fair/light skin, whilst a deeper nude colour is better for dark skin.

What color are classic French nails? ›

A French manicure is typically designed with a neutral base color and white accent color that is applied in a half-moon shape on the tip of each fingernail or nail extension.

What color is most popular in France? ›

A recent survey found out that blue is the favorite color of French people.

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