From animal print to stained glass art, you can bet Chaun was one of the very first to make it work for nails, which explains why he has such an enormous fanbase in his hometown of LA and on Instagram. (Yes, that’s 1.3 million followers.) Excitingly, his creativity has just landed him a shiny new role as artist in residence at beauty brand Lottie London.
With spring just around the corner, we’re ready to usher in a host of fresh new beauty trends and cute nail art is going to take over. Ahead, Chaun lets us in on the nail movements that everyone is asking for in LA. They’re set to make their way into London salons, stat.
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Bottega Green Nails
In the run-up to spring, Chaun has found himself (and clients) obsessing over one shade in particular: Bottega green — the fashion house’s signature bold hue. Take inspiration from these nails created at Polizhed Natural Nail Studio.
“I’m so drawn to this shade right now because it’s super chic,” says Chaun. Try Nails.INC Plant Power Mother Earth’s Calling, £9, Essie Expressie Nail Polish in Take Controller, £7.99, or Gucci Beauty’s Melinda Green Vernis à Ongles Nail Polish, £24, if you have more to spend. Too bright for you? Bottle green is also making its way out of autumn and into spring, like Nailberry’s Teal We Meet Again, £15.
If you’re not a dab hand with nail polish, Chaun and Lottie London are soon to unveil an LA-esque collection of press-on nails — think golden sunsets, graffiti art and nail shapes inspired by his very fashionable friends — including a wearable design in this very shade.
French Swirl Nails
“French anything is the biggest nail trend,” says Chaun. “French swirls is the most requested, popular — and most recreated. Back home, I was doing so many of these French tip designs and I thought, What else can I do with them to switch it up a little bit? That’s when I decided to add these little swirls and throw in different colours and mix in different ombre shades.”
Chaun explains that this might be a little tricky on short nails but it’s not too difficult to DIY at home if your nails are on the longer side. “First, you do your base colour. That could be whatever you like but I stick with milky white, milky pink and nude.” R29 rates Peacci’s Nail Polish in Bonjour, £10. “Then take a white shade, start drawing a smile line and let your fingers go wherever they want to go to start creating the swirls.”
For the ultimate precision, invest in a fine nail brush. You can get experimental, too. “I’m all about pops of colour,” says Chaun. “If you want to throw in a neon, I’m all for it. The brighter, the better.”
Croc Print Nails
Forget tortoiseshell nails and ditch the leopard print. Croc is the way forward for spring, says Chaun. “I love the croc print and there are different ways to achieve the look but the easiest is actually drawing it in using polish and a dotter tool or even a toothpick.”
Chaun reveals that the trick is to paint the whole nail whichever base colour you choose. Once dry, start drawing the individual scales in tiny squares until you get the desired look. “You can do it in any colour,” says Chaun, “but if you want it to be realistic, use olive colours, browns which look really good, and even black.” Luckily, you don’t have to be a pro. “The more imperfect it is, the more realistic it looks,” he says.
Matte or glossy shades are best (like this look created by Beth Milli on Instagram) but you could opt for shimmer to add depth, like Lottie London Shimmer Lacquer, £4.95. If your DIY attempt fails you? Support your local nail salon.
Plaid & Houndstooth Nails
“I’ve been seeing lots of plaid prints in different colours — and houndstooth, too, but I haven’t seen this much on nails, so I will start playing with them this spring,” says Chaun. Take inspiration from celebrity manicurist Michelle Humphrey and opt for sunnier colours like peach and orange to call in spring, rather than classic black and white.
Sepia Nails
“Everybody loves browns, taupes and nudes,” says Chaun — and he’s right. Neutral shades were huge at various fashion week shows this year, including Nensi Dojaka and Trussardi. They’re also reigning supreme on Instagram, like this look by nail and beauty professional Charlotte Emily.
R29 rates 3INA’s The Nail Polish in 157, £7.95, if you’re after a rich brown, or Dior Rouge Dior Nail Vernis 849 Rouge Cinema, £22, if you prefer a warmer, redder tone. To keep your polish from chipping, don’t forget a light layer of glossy top coat. Extend this all the way to the very tip of the nail.
Cloud Print Nails
“Lately on short nails I like doing little clouds with twinkle stars,” says Chaun. You can easily do this with a dotting tool and a white nail polish. Place three small dots close together and join them up while the polish is still wet. Be sure to let the clouds dry properly before layering on a glossy top coat. This look dreamed up at ColorBox Nails gets it right but the trend is just as cute on naked nails teamed with top coat, or on a sky blue base.
Matte vs Glossy Nails
“I’ve done matte and glossy in various shades,” says Chaun, “and sometimes when a client is undecided I say, ‘Why not do both?’ because it’s such a cool look.” Chaun recommends starting off with a matte base. To create the slick of gloss, enlist a top coat like CND Vinylux Weekly Top Coat Nail Varnish, £11.95. “Go in with the French or whatever design you want to go in with,” says Chaun. Glossy French tips and diagonal lines are pretty easy to master if you’re a nail art beginner.
Rectangle Nails
Forget coffin, stiletto or almond nails. One of Chaun’s most requested nail shapes is the rectangle. Though square-tipped, the shape is a lot more elongated (like this set by Fuego Nails LDN) — and not for the fainthearted.
Micro-French Tips
“Thin French tips is such a cool look on shorter nails,” says Chaun, but you need a steady hand if you’re going to attempt it at home. Alternatively, you could make like TikTok’s nail art enthusiasts and use a silicone sponge. Daub a little polish onto the sponge and press your nail into it very gently. Take a cue from nail artist and educator Sara Kehoe on Instagram and opt for brighter colours (rather than traditional white) to welcome in spring.
Connecting Nails
Connecting nails, mirroring nails, parallel nails — whatever you call them, they’re trending on Instagram ahead of spring. Whichever picture, print or words you choose, you might not want to do something like this yourself unless you’re quite experienced. Instead, visit your local nail tech. “It is a little bit tricky but if you want the image to look good when joined, your nails have to be kept like that as the nail artist is drawing,” says Chaun. “I usually do it with a pencil first,” which is a pretty painstaking process. “That way, if there are any mistakes I can erase them easily.” We love this set fashioned by Chaun on makeup architect Deanna Paley.
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