There I was, receiving a much-needed lesson in nail art from celebrity manicurist Rita Remark. After asking her to educate me on the most foolproof design for beginners (gradient nails, for sure, she says), I’m tasked with selecting three jelly shades for the tie-dyed effect. I pick an apricot orange, a creamy lavender, and a pearly petal pink. Remark approves. “I love how ‘grandma’ nail colors are having such a moment right now,” she says once she starts painting. Come again?
Apparently, I’ve been drawn to the groovy lacquers a fabulous Palm Beach grandma might’ve sported in the ’60s, and I’m not alone. These hues have seen a giant resurgence of late thanks to our collective affinity for nostalgic manis, plus a few A-lister endorsements. Ahead, discover the eclectic shades I’m currently obsessing over right now and may or may not have already texted to my grandmother.
What are grandma nails?
Simple! “To me, a grandma nail shade is anything you may have seen yours wear,” says Remark. “They may have been the first nail polishes you got your hands on. Think frosty corals, dusty roses, pearly neutrals—colors that we may have cringed over in our teens but are nostalgic for and totally in love with now.” I’d add turquoise, off-white pearl, and butter yellow to the mix as well for more of a “grandma goes to Palm Beach” flair.
I know what you’re thinking: Aren’t Hailey Bieber and her nail artist Zola Ganzorigt responsible for the uptick in pearl-coated manis? That may be true, as Bieber is the reigning queen of frosted, glazed lacquer, but one could argue that the grandmas did it first. Remark considers them the real trendsetters, anyway. “Frosted anything has been a swear word in beauty for years, but now, adding pearl or iridescence is very of-the-moment,” she says regarding the nail trend. “Not to mention, these textures are so much more refined and elevated since the ’60s.” Still, she gives credit where credit is due.
How to Get the Look
You might hear the phrase “grandma nails” and immediately picture the long crimson tips you have seen on your grandmother, but Remark recommends sticking to frosted or warm, Palm Beach–inspired hues to stay summery. (Although, cherry digits are pretty timeless.)
“The key for any grandma nail look is to have it be either warm toned, frosted, and/or pearly. Look for warm-toned pinks and corals,” she explains. “If you want to dress it up like your nana going to bingo, add a frosty or pearly topper.” You can find all those polish recs and more below for a set that’s never old-fashioned but classic.
Essie
Sun-Renity Nail Polish
This warm-toned polish reminds me of pink lemonade—bright and sweet.
Essie
Ice Cream and Shout Nail Polish
This pinky coral is so summery.
Essie
Stitch by Stitch Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish
Don’t be fooled by the creamy, light shade. This pink looks as vibrant as ever. It’s also from the Gel Couture collection, which means it has incredible long wear.
Chanel
Le Vernis in Première Dame
It doesn’t get more grandma chic than a Chanel coral, IMO.
Butter-yellow nails are a polish trend in their own right, but to me, the hue gives total “Palm Beach grandma” energy.
OPI
I’m Yacht Leaving Nail Lacquer
This electric turquoise is bold and beachy.
I’m loving JinSoon jelly polishes right now, especially this minty green. How can you not imagine strolling down the boardwalk with a mint-chip ice cream in hand?
This creamy lavender has also captured my heart.
Essie
Nail Art Studio Special Effects Nail Polish
Give any nail polish a pearl effect with this galaxy topper—no messy chrome powder necessary!
Essie
Going Steady Nail Polish
Here’s another topper you can use if you don’t fancy the tinge of pink. The milky, iridescent polish instantly gives your mani a frosted edge.
