'Junk Nails' Are The Manicure Trend Maximalists Will Love

So far in 2024, minimalist nails have dominated manicure trends. There is something appealing about this year's understated cappuccino milk nails and the latest Hailey Bieber-inspired glazed donut nails. However, the maximalist girlies can finally join in on the fun thanks to the new "junk nails" trend – the ultimate manicure for people craving a bold look. Junk nails are the most whimsical nails yet and allow you to unleash your playful side by combining all sorts of charms, textures, and accents to create the perfect "junk" design. "This nail craze captivates a fusion of vibrant hues; 3D elements like rhinestones, beads, glitter; and eccentric nail art," nail expert Liana Thomson told PopSugar.

"There are no rules to the composition, and each nail can look different," Thomson added. "They are a freeform expression of manicure art." In other words, junk nails provide the freedom to mix and match colors, patterns, and themes. For instance, nail the coquette aesthetic (pun intended) by adorning pink fingertips with a collection of bows, pearls, and hearts. Additionally, you have the option of purchasing pre-designed press-on nails that don't fall within any set theme, presenting your nail artist with your desired theme, or creating your own manicure at home. Everything and anything can inspire your junk nails, and the final product can be as simple or complicated as you wish.

These cutesy junk nails are a more maximalist take on the embo nails trend, which involves using gel to create 3D texture and designs. For this Japanese-inspired Hello Kitty theme, reach for a pink or pearly jelly polish base, and then look for Hello Kitty charms. Build your cutesy charm collection with hand-painted gel flowers or nail stickers to enhance the texture, along with pearls and sparkly details.

Junk nails are typically associated with long acrylic nails and coffin-shaped fingertips, but they stand out just as much on natural or trimmed nails. To achieve the same busy look on a smaller canvas, reach for smaller stickers and accents, rather than applying one large charm per fingernail. For instance, you'll see rhinestones everywhere in 2024 – use them to complement tiny stickers and designs without overwhelming each nail.

While it's fun to stick to a specific aesthetic, such as coquette-core, the best part about the junk nails trend is the freedom to create your own designs. For instance, if you want each nail to follow a different theme, then do so. Indulge your inner maximalist and opt for loud colors and nonsensical patterns. Get playful and combine your junk manicure with the equally whimsical 3D gummy nails trend to end up with a truly wacky set of nails.

If you're not into bold colors or coquette-core pink but you're not opposed to a girly manicure, play around with 3D nail charms. It's entirely possible to create a girly pop manicure without using an obvious base polish. Instead, layer a clear polish with an iridescent finish and focus on dotting your fingertips with rhinestone details and 3D charms. For instance, nothing screams "girlhood nostalgia" better than teddy bears, hearts, and flowers.

Rhinestones, pearls, and French tips are all having a moment in 2024, so why not combine them into the perfect royal manicure? A traditional white polish will work for the tips, as usual, or you can replace the polish with rhinestone accents. Assemble the most extravagant 3D stickers you can find for this textured French manicure and don't hold back on the pearls.