Once-Popular Nail Trends From The '30s And Beyond You Should Consider For Your Next Manicure

It's no secret that beauty trends cycle back every couple of decades, and when it comes to nails, the pattern is no different. From the 1990s nail trends that have made a major comeback for fall 2026 to the '60s-inspired manicures you can rock for a retro look, finding inspiration in nail looks of the past can create a fun and unexpected design. In fact, many nail designs that were popular in the 30s and beyond are just as trendy today, and for good reason. Speaking exclusively to Glam, nail experts Kia Stewart, Max Estrada, and Viktoriia Voloshyna shared their knowledge of trends from the past you should consider, from those that minimize the appearance of growth to looks that are long and daring.

Speaking of nail trends of the past, nail specialist and educator Stewart, also the founder of Lux K, says, "Those trends were something classic, honest, and individual and showed personal confidence. I love that those designs were something women maintained because they expressed themselves freely." Stewart adds that putting your own spin on nail trends of the past is what it's all about. "We can reconnect individuality within nail culture and include innovation to advance trends in our era," she explains, adding, "It's important we pay homage without blurring the lines of where nail trends originated." 

Celebrity nail artist Estrada, who is the founder of eNailCouture, stresses that nail trends have gone in a minimalist direction in recent years. "Somewhere along the way, with the popularity of the clean girl aesthetic, quiet luxury, and barely-there manicures, I feel we've taken a step backward in terms of creativity and self-expression," he tells us, adding that while simple nails are beautiful, "sometimes more is more, and it's absolutely fabulous!"

If you're someone who hates the fact that grown-out nails tend to look bad, a 1930s half-moon manicure might just be your solution. "The color is painted over the nail, but the area near the cuticle stays bare," Viktoriia Voloshyna explains exclusively to Glam. "It looks clean and elegant, and it's actually very practical today: as the nail grows out, the regrowth is much less noticeable." The expert adds that the trend looks good whether you opt for a nude shade, a bright color, or even a chrome finish. 

Kia Stewart tells us exclusively that a classic red nail is her favorite retro nail look, and explains how Revlon nail polish revolutionized the industry in 1932. "[Revlon] produced the first opaque red that mainstreamed glamour and signaled a change from traditional sheers," she says. Viktoriia Voloshyna couldn't agree more, noting that the trend was big in the 1940s and 1950s. "A glossy red on an almond or oval shape will never go out of style," she explains, adding that the manicure looks great on both long and short nails.  

Whether you're inspired by the 1970s, 1990s, or early 2000s French tip, the truth is, the nail technique has been popular for decades for good reason. However, in the 2020s, the look is a bit different. "The French is back, but it's thinner and softer now," Viktoriia Voloshyna tells us exclusively. "What I love about it is that it makes the nails look longer and cleaner without being too much. For a 2020s twist, try a micro French tip, a colored tip, or a soft milky gel instead of bright white."

Animal prints are the new neutrals in fashion, but when it comes to your nails, the same applies. Zebra, leopard, snake-print, and Co. were all popular nail trends in the 1980s and 1990s, and rocking them in the 2020s is just as chic. "Animal print never really left for me," Viktoriia Voloshyna shares with Glam exclusively. "Leopard or tortoiseshell accents on one or two nails add personality without looking overdone, and with today's techniques they look much finer and more detailed than before."

While manicure methods have changed and evolved, long nails remain popular, just as they were in the 1980s and 1990s. Back then, acrylic nails weren't as sleek or as thin as long nails can be today, but the boldness that comes with them has remained. "Everything was extravagant, expressive, and unapologetically glamorous," Max Estrada shares exclusively with Glam. "Acrylic nails weren't simply something you had done at the salon; they were an extension of your personality, your wardrobe, and your entire identity."

The 1990s were known for grunge fashion and beauty, and dark nail colors played a major role in the aesthetic. While black nail polish was a staple at the time, other deep shades can create the same effect. "Deep burgundy, chocolate brown, and almost black nails were everywhere in the 1990s, and they look amazing again right now, especially on short, square or squoval nails," Viktoriia Voloshyna tells us exclusively. "They feel a little edgy but still very chic, and they're perfect for fall and winter." In fact, the moody nail trend is perfect for people who don't like the minimalist manicure look.

If minimalist, clean girl nails aren't your thing, go all out with a 1990s rhinestone nail art look for a unique, customizable manicure. "The 1990s took nail artistry to another level with intricate airbrushing, rhinestones, extravagant French manicures, and imaginative designs inspired by street culture and high fashion," Max Estrada explains exclusively to Glam. The best part about this retro trend is that anything goes — as long as you and/or your nail tech have the patience and time for it. For those who don't want to do full-on nail art, rhinestones provide a quick and easy way to amp up a basic manicure.