As we wind down the year, we thought it would be a good time to look back at some nail designs that pretty much captured the spirit of 2020. And, no, they’re not all images of the Titanic.
Because, let’s be honest. This year has been a dumpster fire. And, not even one you could roast marshmallows on! Since many nail salons were closed for most of the year, many of us resorted to DIY manicures and nail art as a relatively inexpensive attempt at self care. Sure beats crying into our pillow for the 300th time.
Here’s to some of the best 2020 nail art we’ve seen and to getting a proper manicure in 2021.
Nail Designs That’ll Make You Go “Yup, That Was 2020.”
1. Everything’s Fine Nails
If we had a dollar for every time we’ve shared the “This is Fine” meme this year while watching the world burn, we’d be able to stock our liquor cabinet. Oh wait, we already did that.
2. Election Nails
Oh, wow. The Election. The fact that it’s still kind of going says it all.
3. Quarantine Nails
The last thing we need is another conspiracy theory, but isn’t it just a little too convenient that “quarantine” has exactly 10 letters?
4. Middle Finger Nails
Honestly, for this year, sometimes two middle fingers just isn’t enough. Make it an even dozen with this straightforward nail design.
5. Covid-19 Nails
Grab a nail pen and recreate this caution tape nail design for the perfect “I just sneezed in a crowded grocery store” vibe.
6. Social Distancing Nails
These introvert-approved nails are easy to achieve by painting each one a different neon color and writing your passive aggressive message across them.
7. Healthcare Heroes Nails
These hand-painted nails are a very talented tribute to some of the real MVPs of the pandemic. And, appropriately enough, you’ll need surgical precision to recreate the itty bitty stethoscope and photorealistic PPE.
8. 2020 Essentials Manicure
These nails work perfectly as a reminder to wear a mask, keep your distance, and don’t drink bleach. We suggest some nail brushes to make life easy. We all deserve easy.
9. F**k ICE nails
We don’t understand why this is even a conversation, but we’re fully behind this hyper-relevant design.
10. Animal Crossing Nails
These Animal Crossing inspired nails are an ode to one of the few bright spots in 2020. Best of all, you don’t have to worry about breaking a nail while digging for fossils on your virtual island!
11. Black Lives Matter Nails
We’re loving the strong messages on these BLM-inspired nails, because there’s no need for subtlety when you’re showing solidarity.
12. Days of the Week Nail Art
Is it Thursday? Monday? If you’re anything like us, this weather forecast nail design will be the closest you’ve come to looking at an actual calendar since March.
13. Toilet Paper Nails
Rock this toilet paper design when you’re at Costco stocking up for the apocalypse… for the second time this year.
14. RBG Nails
Just when we thought this year couldn’t get any worse we lost feminist icon and all-around amazing human being, Ruth Bader Ginsberg. These nails are a great tribute to her. Give your nails a black base coat, paint a gold strip at the bottom using some nail tape, and draw on her collar using a brush.
15. WTF Manicure
Still walking around in a confused daze like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction? These nails are perfect for you. And, they’re so simple that you can quickly get back to wondering WT actual F is happening.
16. Pop Art Lockdown Nails
These colorful Lichtenstein-inspired nails make us feel slightly better about the whole year. Or maybe that’s the two shots of tequila we just drank.
17. The Next Mona Lisa Nails
This panoramic rendering of our whole 2020 aesthetic is a literal work of art. We’d hang it in a museum if it weren’t attached to the end of somebody’s arm.
18. Emotional Rollercoaster Manicure
These super-simple designs capture the ups and downs of 2020. Express yourself with minimal effort.
19. Alien Nails
Remember earlier this year when the government pretty much confirmed aliens are real? And everyone’s collective response was :shrug:?
20. Croissant Nails
We mustn’t forget the bread-baking phase of quarantine. This bakery-fresh nail design is the perfect way to flex on everyone who still hasn’t managed to find yeast at the grocery store. Use a stamping plate to save time on the design, so you have more time to sing lullabies to your sourdough starter. (Also, you might be in the wrong aisle.)
21. Tiger King Nails
We’re still not sure what we did to deserve Tiger King. And we’re still not sure if we mean that in a negative or positive way. It’s all very confusing.
22. Stay Home Nails
Do you remember the beginning of quarantine when we thought this was all gonna be over in two weeks? That’s the vibe we get from these nails. They feel so full of hope. It’s adorable.
23. Favorite Quarantine Things Nail Art
Pizza, Netflix, and a weighted blanket. These are a few of our quarantine things.
Ashley is a Nashville unicorn (born, raised, and based), queer, vegan, and dedicated to leaving a positive impact through her life, work, and her website, Wild Hearted.
When she's not writing, she's traveling, reading a book, trying not to kill her houseplants, worshiping her dog, or having an existential crisis. Follow her on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter, and LinkedIn
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