Editorial Note: This article contains curated product links. Should you choose to purchase through them, we may earn a modest commission that supports our independent publishing.
If you are looking to trade heavy, high-contrast manicures for something ethereal and iridescent, there is a new wave taking over the nail world. Mermaid nails are capturing attention everywhere, blending watery pastels, shifting chrome reflections, and tactile elements that look straight out of an oceanic myth.
Sparked by high-fashion runway moments—most notably Chanel's aquatic-themed presentation featuring dégradé pastel gradients crafted by lead manicurist Ama Quashie—this trend is a playful yet refined escape into high-shine glamour.
5 Ways to Get the Look (And What to Tell Your Nail Technician)
Recreating this aquatic aesthetic requires a mix of dimension and reflection. When you sit down in the salon chair, here are five ways to ask for the look:
The Dégradé Pastel Gradient
Ask your technician for a soft, seamless color melt using watery shades like seafoam green, soft lilac, sun-kissed amber, or baby blue. The technique relies on clashing yet harmonizing tones that fade effortlessly into one another.
The Glazed Chrome Shell Finish
Building on the popularity of glazed donut nails, request a translucent milky or pastel base topped with a pearlescent, ultra-fine chrome powder. This yields a liquid-metal sheen that shifts color under the light just like a fish scale or siren's tail.
Textured 3D Water Ripples
Ask for sculpted, clear builder gel or hard gel shaped into gentle, flowing wave ridges across the nail bed. When layered over a shimmery base, it creates an astonishing 3D illusion of moving water.
Velvet Cat-Eye Depth
Utilize magnetic velvet gel polishes in cool-toned pinks, teals, or silver. The particles scatter light to give a deep, glowing, wet-look dimension that mimics sunlight filtering through deep ocean currents.
Subtle Oceanic Accents
Keep the base understated with a sheer, dewy gloss, then ask for micro-pearls or delicate dimensional shell details clustered near the cuticle for a refined, collected-from-the-shore finish.
Who is Wearing It?
The trend has quickly transitioned from runway exclusive to global celebrity favorite. Style icons and high-profile figures have embraced iridescent, water-tinged manicures for red carpets and casual outings alike, leaning heavily into short, elegant oval or almond shapes that balance high-impact shine with everyday wearability.
Mermaid Nails vs. Korean Nail Art: Are They the Same?
While both trends frequently cross paths, they stem from different schools of nail philosophy:
The Core Focus
Mermaid nails are defined specifically by their thematic ocean inspiration—think liquid iridescence, shifting scales, holographic finishes, and coastal color palettes. Korean nail art, on the other hand, is an overarching technical and design category known for its innovative gel formulations (like self-levelling syrup gels and magnetic cat-eyes), clean cuticles, and meticulous balancing of minimalist and maximalist elements.
The Cross-Over
Many of the best mermaid manicures actually rely on Korean 3D nail techniques. The intricate, glass-like gel bubbles and raised water-droplet textures frequently seen on trendy mermaid sets originate from the sophisticated 3D layering popularised by Seoul's top nail artists.
In short: Mermaid nails are the theme, while Korean nail techniques are often the masterclass used to bring them to life.
Are you ready to try an oceanic gradient for your next set, or do you prefer the subtle glow of a chrome pearl finish?
