Instagram is full of inspirational influencers and celebrities pouring out daily drool material to fill our inspiration wells. From style trends, beauty hacks, and of course nail art. When it comes to nail inspiration, divert from copying trendy celebrity nails and rather follow celebrity manicurists on Instagram instead. Because if Dua Lipa trusts in them to do her nails, then they must be worth the follow!
Short, long, minimal, or eclectic; we’ve rounded up the best manicurists to follow for all nail styles
MICHELLE HUMPHREY
If you are looking for a true artist, not just in their skills, but for versatility and creative imagination then Michelle Humphrey is the manicurist for you. Her heavily trafficked Instagram page runs the gamut from a classic 90s nude mani to an outside-the-box 3D extravaganza. Her fine-arts background comes in handy when polishing Adele’s signature almond tips or giving Dua Lipa her next level of crystal embellishments.
NUKA NAILS
The English nail duo we are all drooling over, Anoushka Anastasia and Kadimah Aaliyah are behind the eccentric manicure salon based in Ladbroke Grove, West London. Their style range from regular manicures to the most complex nail art, all of which are hand-painted. Their talent has been tapped by Nike, Puma, Vans, and Asos as well as the likes of Rihanna. From custom nail chains to neon flames, follow Nuka to check out some of the coolest hand-crafted emojis, rainbow vibes, and just all-around “child at heart” nail energy.
IMARNI NAILS
If your nail style deviates between artsy yet not too “in your face” then Imarni Ashman’s nail designs are perfect for you. Classy, chic, and intricate fine line matte designs are among Ashman’s signatures. Her work has been featured in the pages of some of fashion’s best editorials, as well as plenty of red carpet looks from celebrity clientele Lily Allen to Paloma Faith. Her designs, versatile in shape and length are perfect for those who like their nails short and practical yet funky and up-to-date with pop culture at the same time.
NAILS BY KAMI
Looking for a mani inspo that can embody and reflect European summer at its best? Look no further as European-based artist Kami has been hand painting nail designs for more than 10 years. From Central London to Greece, France to Turkey, and back, her unique designs range from animal print french tips to diamond nails, Kami can create almost any design of your choice. So anytime you find yourself in Mykonos, or the South of France, be sure to pop her a message for some glammed-up looks for your Mediterranean beach days.
TOM BACHIK
If the name doesn’t sound familiar then maybe J.Lo’s crystal manicure at the 2020 Super Bowl will ring a bell. Or how about Selena Gomez’s glitter-bomb mani in her “Rare” music video? Yep, that’s right, the one responsible for nailing some of Instagram’s most trendable looks is Tom Bachik. And even better, he documents everything for his Instagram feed. So next time you’re wondering what shade to put on, head over to his page and you’ll probably find out.
CHAUN LEGEND
If your style deviates more towards long, sexy, and finessed then celebrity Chaun Legend is your go-to! The mastermind behind Kar-Jenners’s top trending nail styles such as the velvet-esque trend can all be seen first on his Instagram page. From French tips to neon colors next time if you’re looking for acrylic inspiration that’s long (like inches long) and not *too* unrealistic for everyday life, Legend is the one to follow.
HARRIET WESTMORELAND
Famed for her minimalist-yet-modern take on a classic French manicure, Harriet Westmoreland’s pared-back designs earned signature status during the pandemic. Her classic, effortless style with minimal hints of toned-down colors is the best for those who prefer short, practical, and elegant nails.
REBECCA JADE WILSON
Short, minimal, pop colors or a ring finger with a graphic design, Rebecca Jade Wilson is one of London’s preferred manicurists. Her A-list celebrity clientele includes Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kendall Jenner, and Kate Winslet.
DRYBYLONDON
DryBy is a blow dry and nail art studio in London, which has grown with such popularity that it has become much more than a salon. More of an art studio that happens to serve prosecco and make you feel you are at a spa, DryBy specializes in minimal short manicures. Their Instagram page is filled with many variations of a classic nude with modern tweaks that will make your next elegant look just a little more unique.
MICHELLE CLASS NAILS
Looking to do a shimmering black milky-way mani? Or maybe a geometrical formed graphic tip? Or what about those squiggly line trends? Manicurist Michelle Class has you covered as the artist has a plethora of celebrity A-listers on her roasters such as Margot Robbie, Olivia Colman, Naomi Campbell, and Salma Hayek to name a few. Follow her Instagram page to see how her creative flare is noted in the desire to always create and experiment with textiles and crafts.
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