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Kim Truong Aka @kimkimnails On The 6 Nail Trends To Try In 2023
It's time to get involved in 3D nail art and neon yellow.
What do Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa and A$AP Rocky all have in common? Aside from being style chameleons with a cult-like following, they all have Kim Truong aka @KimKimNails on speed dial whenever they need a fresh set of talons.
The Vietnam-born, LA-based manicurist has been around nails for as long as she could remember. 'I grew up watching my mum doing nails in the spa, then she bought her own salon and I started assisting there before getting my nail tech license,' Truong tells ELLE UK over Zoom. After bagging her first celebrity client, Taraji P. Henson, the nail artist swiftly found herself setting up her kit for the likes of Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner. 'I never knew that you could create a huge career solely by doing nails. Growing up in Maryland, I never saw that.'
Fast forward to today and Truong's CV is who's who of pop culture's most prominent names including Camila Cabello, Anya Taylor-Joy and most of the Kardashian-Jenner squad. She's known for her 'immaculate manicure', with its clean edges and glossy finishes but is equally unafraid to push the envelope with 3D nail art and designs (a riot of Powerpuff Girls and Snoopy, anyone?).
Truong is also big on the DIY nail movement, noting that the most important step for a longer lasting manicure is all in the prep. Make sure your nails are completely dry before the base coat goes on and remove any oils with rubbing alcohol. ‘If you’re soaking your nails in water before doing your manicure, wait an hour for it to dry. Your nail swells up in water so if you paint it immediately, it’ll go back to its original state when it dehydrates and cause chipping,' she explains. Always do a base coat too; it acts as a barrier between the colour and your nails, and prevents staining.
Ahead @kimkimnails' shares the manicure trends you're about to see everywhere in 2023...
Boba Gels
Tapioca pearls - great in cold milk tea and now the inspiration for a Japanese gel used in nail art. ‘The 3D “boba gel” is a gummy, thick gel that can be moulded into different shapes. You can create a nail “jewellery” with it or apply chrome on top to create a metal ring effect,’ says Truong.
The gel comes in various viscosities depending on the design. It's a chicer take on 3D nail art with its shiny, hand-blown glass effect rather than a stiff matte finish.
All For Oyster
Leave your glazed doughnuts in 2022. The new chrome nails have a richer effect, according to Truong. ‘There’s a seashell trend with a more opaque finish where you do a silver chrome gel with a matte topcoat on top. It looks really cool; like an oyster.’
To achieve the effect at home, she recommends pairing a metallic silver nail varnish with a matte topcoat. ‘Chrome nails will still be around, but in more fun ways such as a darker colour instead of a sheer pink hue.’
Hi-Vis Hues
Expect to see plenty of showstopping colours such as cherry red, hot pink and blinding neons on your feed this year. 'I’m also looking forward to see glow in the dark nails. I’ve done them for press-ons. Neon yellow or yellowy green looks good on most skin tones,' explains Truong, who's a fan of Kingcup and Sweet Pea by The Gel Bottle as well as Lottie London's nail polish in Periodt (Truong is Lottie London's artist in residence).
Swirls In Session
For the minimalist who wants to switch up their micro French tips, Truong is a big fan of curvaceous lines. ‘A wavy swirl will be big this year and you can incorporate different effects on top of it such as a tiny pearl or gemstone,’ she says.
Short And Sweet
Anyone can get in on the nail art action, no matter how small your nailbeds are. ‘If your nails are really short and small, keep your base colour sheer and minimal so when you embellish (with nail art), it doesn’t look bulky or too busy. Having it in an almond shape will also elongate the nail,' says Truong.
If you’re doing a thin French tip, she recommends taking the side lines further down so it makes your nails appear elongated.
Colour Pops
‘I love a nude base with a pop of colour on top,’ says Truong. ‘I love the contrast.’ Fast-track your mani by using Truong's latest collaboration with Lottie London, the Stay Press'd Press-On Nails in Colour Block Party. Each stick on nail can be filed to fit your nail shape using a nail file. Top tip: file them from the bottom to maintain the design.
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