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Smiley face nails are curing our seasonal depression

Here’s how to nail the happy-making trend

By Briar Clark

BEAUTYcrew Beauty Editor / April 20 2021

There is no icon of happiness quite like the quintessential smiley face symbol. Typically depicted in a cheery shade of yellow, the feel-good seal of approval has been stickered over a veritable wealth of knick-knacks over the years as well as a few car bumpers to boot.

But now the little guy has made his way onto our nails, taking up prime manicure real estate with his sunny disposition and we’re all here for it. Plus, with winter well on its way we can only hope that getting to stare at this little dude’s smiling face will take the edge off of the inevitable seasonal depression we’ll be experiencing in the next few months.

Whether you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up or you can’t go past an iconographic mani, here are nine smiley face-inspired nail looks to have at the ready when you hit up your nail tech.

1/

You can’t go wrong with a classic. These cutesy nails keep things simple with a repetitive smiling pattern. Warning: This is probably about as low-key as this trend is gonna get so minimalist’s, hold onto your hats.

Image credit: @nailsbymh

2/

Pair some smiling faces with some on-trend cow print in a monochromatic colourway for an uber-modern look.

Image credit: @thehangedit

3/

No you’re not tripping, these melting smiley faces really do look like they’re dripping off the nails.

Image credit: @theheirsofvenus

4/

Can’t decide on a design? Then why choose! Slap a few smileys on one of your nails and get freaky with the rest.

Image credit: @badgirlsgoodnails

5/

The psychedelic theme continues with these acid trip nails. It's the cuteness factor of the pastel theme for us though...

Image credit: @umanailartist

6/

Get precocious with your manicure and treat your nail art like your childhood school books; slap a few stickers on there, and add a bit of glitter and shimmer for good measure too. Iconic.

Image credit: @mannequin.hands

7/

Can’t seem to grow out your nails? This trend is for you! Stick smiley in amongst a cacophony of contrasting patterns for max impact regardless of your nail size.

Image credit: @missbettyrose

8/

French tip manicures have been everywhere for the last couple of years and they just keep getting better in our opinion. Case and point? This hectic multi-patterned design that embraces a multitude of trends (including ol’ faithful Mr. Smiley).

Image credit: @nailsbykirsten

9/

As this set demonstrates perfectly, everyone gets sad sometimes, even the smiley face himself. Still cute though.

Image credit: @nails_and_soul

These nails may be all smiles but some trends are serious business. Up your nail game with the glow-in-the-dark nail trend.

Main image credit: @theheirsofvenus

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).