7 Nail Trends You Need To Try In 2018

Shows To Note: Vivienne Westwood, Preen, Helmut Lang

Preen SS18 lead the way for this year's obsession with nails that sent a message, literally. 'I'm applying the letters from the right hand little finger across so they read like a sentence,' lead manicurist Adam Slee explained. 'For the base, I'm keeping it to a single coat of milky, sheer nude, waiting until it dries and going straight in with the stickers before sealing in with a clear glossy topcoat.'

Get The Look With... Alphabet Nail Art Stickers, $2.49 (£1.75)

Shows To Note: Prabal Gurung, Nina Ricci, Peter Pilotto, Oscar De La Renta, Adam Selman

It's a classic for a reason, yup, red is back and officially here to stay. 'We decided upon a striking splash of deep red paint using Orly Varnish in Ruby,' said pro manicurist Karen Louise backstage at Temperley AW18. 'It's so wearable, and there's nobody that a slick of bold, bright, high-gloss scarlet doesn't suit.'

Get The Look With... Orly Varnish in Ruby, £9.95

Shows To Note: Tom Ford, Moschino

No more French tips, this year nail art is all about the cuticle half moon. Whether super subtle and barely there a la Tom Ford AW18, or bold and bright with clashing shades of pink and purple Moschino AW18 style, half moon nails are here to stay.

Get The Look With... Tom Ford Nail Polish in Indian Pink, £29

Shows To Note: Tom Ford, Jeremy Scott, Francesco Scognamiglio, Anna Sui

Not just for Christmas, glitter nail art got a grunge disco glamover for 2018. Think bronze and ombrè at Tom Ford SS18, delicate dirty silver sprinkles at Anna Sui and all out hand glitter at Jeremy Scott and Francesco Scognamiglio. The best bit? If you make a mess, just style it out and make it fashion.

Get The Look With... Smith & Cult Nail Polish in Teen Cage Riot, £19

Shows To Note: Antonio Berardi, Bottega Veneta, Tom Ford, Kate Spade

From cafe au lait and pale peach, to blush white and barely there pink, 2018 is all about the understated natural nail. Whether glossy finishes or matte topcoats, nails were kept all the same colour and super subtle, for this year's effortless nail trend we're dubbing 'no nail art' nail art. And no, it's not nude.

Get The Look With... Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Beachin', £18

Shows To Note: Mulberry, Phillip Plein, Sophia Webster

At Mulberry AW18, pro manicurist Michelle Class chose to do pale pinks nails adorned with Swarovski accents. 'There's a trend for embellishments and nail art for AW18 and people are being rebellious and moving away from safe nudes!', Class said of the look.

At Sophia Webster, the embellishment hit OTT levels. 'We made nails the new jewellery and a "must have" to finish the overall Sophia look – the nails were the ultimate fashion accessory', revealed lead nail artist Marian Newman. The nails were covered in brightly coloured CND nail varnishes, light-catching Swarovski crystals, crystal pixies or glistening French tips, so 'each nail was like a new dance.'

Get The look With... Elegant Touch House Of Holland Party Nails in Cross My Heart, £14.99 and Elegant Touch House Of Holland Luxe Nails in Dolly Rocks, £8.99

Show To Note: Gareth Pugh

'The nails are a mix of sculpted textures, sharp shapes, punctured tips and animal prints', said Marian Newman of the manicures at Gareth Pugh AW18. 'Featured colours include CND's Vinylux Blackpool, £6.99,and Blue Eyeshadow, £7.50, for the reincarnation of the Grace Jones 80's power woman.'

Get The Look With... CND Vinylux Weekly Polish in Blackpool, £6.99 and Blue Eyeshadow, £7.50