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3D orb nails are the Met Gala-approved manicure trend you need to know about

Photo frames for your phalanges

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / May 18 2022

Manicure trends are always evolving with the times.

Last year it was all about the aura glow nail trend and 3D jelly nail art trend, and now the pair have come together in 2022 to form the 3D orb nail trend.

Cool enough for the famous fingers of celebrities on the Met Gala 2022 red carpet (we see you Iris Law), and a slew of the nail artist industry’s most impressive creative talent, the 3D orb nail trend is one to watch….

1/

Iris Law employed the helped of celebrity manicurist Mei Kawajiri for her Met Gala manicure. The pair created this iridescent icy blue orb shape that glowed on the red carpet.

Image credit: @nailsbymei

2/

Why settle for consistency when you could get creative? This glow-in-the-dark set of nails brings together a mishmash of different patterns and colours. We’re in love.

Image credit: @angelcitynails

3/

Turn your 3D orb nails into molten metal with a touch of silver polish.

Image credit: @mannequin.hands

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This nail design looks more like a sculpture in a modern art museum. We’d be more than happy to exhibit such a manicured masterpiece.

Image credit: @nail_unistella

5/

We’d take this silver and gold futuristic theme over a classic French manicure any day of the week.

Image credit: @nailsbymei

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If you’re already dipping into 3D glitter nail art, then there’s no reason to fear a nail piercing chain charm or two, right? Right?

Image credit: @nailsbymei

7/

Can’t commit to a 3D orb manicure? Dip into some nail bed-framing jewellery for the same effect.

Image credit: @nail_unistella

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You can always use the trend to frame other nail art if you’re so inclined.

Image credit: @nail_unistella

9/

Dabble in different textures, tones and shapes like this monochromatic emerald green manicure.

Image credit: @noellefuyunails

10/

The beauty of the 3D orb nail trend is that it doesn’t require a perfect finish. Experiment with abstract shapes and designs until you find something that fits your style.

Image credit: @noellefuyunails

11/

Another celeb giving the 3D trend her stamp of approval? Dua Lipa, who debuted this lime green 'orb' aesthetic via Instagram.

Image credit: @dualipa

Who better to turn to for inspo than the rich and famous? This is the best celebrity nail and manicure inspiration.

Main image credit: @nailsbymei

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).