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Stick to the source material, or upcycle with a modern twist.
Picture this: you’re walking around the mall with your fresh Libby Lu makeover, the scent of Victoria’s Secret Love Spell is in the air, Sugar, We’re Going Down by Fall Out Boy is blasting on your iPod, and you stop in the Cingular store to play with the hot pink Motorola Razrs. We all know fashion is circular and nostalgic (see also: Gen Alpha romanticizing the 2014 Tumblr soft-grunge era) but the Y2k revival shows no signs of slowing down. Bedazzled Juicy Couture velour suits, waterlined kohl, and Ed Hardy tattoo prints reigned supreme in the bygones of the early aughts.
How were people doing their nails during the turn of the century, and how can we channel into our manicures today? “French was of course the most popular option, which would sometimes be upgraded by the addition of a small flower, a small diamond, or a hint of a glittery line or two. Most people did square shape.” says Fleury Rose, NYC-based manicurist. “This is also when Hip-Hop music and culture made its way into the mainstream, and many artists would be seen in music videos with complex nail art that was ahead of its time!” she adds. Whether you’re looking for historical accuracy or y2k-inspired, we’ve rounded up our favorite nail looks that add a touch of nostalgia to 2025.
Meet the expert
- Fleury Rose, NYC-based manicurist
- Priscilla Nguyen, Aprés Nail Educator and manicurist
Feeling Ducky
“Duck nails were a trend around the time of the Jersey Shore,” says Rose. “They make specific duck nail tips, which give it the flared shape, and can be used with acrylic.”
“It was like flared out jeans but on your nails,” adds Priscilla Nguyen, manicurist and Aprés Nail Educator.
With All That Junk
“This look was actually requested by one of my young and COOL clients, Dylan Dash. I was actually so shocked when she requested Duck nails, but then sure enough a few months later they were being worn by North West,” says Fleury Rose of her everything-but-the-kitchen-sink set. “The junk nail trend looks to be from TikTok, and I used gel to affix all the random nail charms I had in my arsenal. Overall, I think it’s a very maximalist and unique style that the Gen Z folks started, inspired by a junk drawer.”
G.T.L
“This is another design requested by my client Dylan Dash! She brought me some inspo which would have been from the time of Jersey Shore,” Rose recounts. “During that time, there was a huge trend of animal prints that looked rather simplified and cartoonish. Combos of hot pink, magenta, teal, and white zebra print were everything in fashion and nails.”
New Twist on an Old Classic
“This look was inspired loosely by tribal tattoos of the 90s, but also the resurgence of this bio mech aesthetic which I would link to the “Opiumcore” trend which is another popular style coined by Gen Z,” says Rose.
Mrs. Soprano
Perhaps the most iconic nails of the 2000s, the on-screen manicure as seen on Carmela Soprano consisted of a simple, square French set.
Mob Wife
Speaking of mob wives, take the trend a step further with a bold cheetah print. “Another big trend was animal prints.” adds Nguyen. “Zebra, cheetah, leopard, tiger, giraffe, cow; you name it!”
Butterfly Effect
While butterflies were a popular motif of the time, this otherworldly mani takes it ten steps further with holographic 3-D wings.
Chrome Finish
The futuristic chrome detailing on this set pairs with the popular “aura nails” of today for an upcycled futuristic look.
Hello Kitty
This manicure has it all-hot pink, animal prints, bling, and the legend herself: Hello Kitty. ”Our nails are just like fashion trends; using previous fashion eras as reference and tweaking them with a modern flair.” says Nguyen. “I’ve recently seen a lot of early 2000s designs with 3D charms added or airbrushing bright colors for an ombré look but adding bold lines.”
Accent Nail
Accent nails were hugely popular in the 2000s. “The ring finger was the most common choice, and it was either an alternative color or glitter nail,” says Rose. “This combo had a hold on us for a LONG time.”
Bratz Girl
What would a Y2K nail roundup be without the girls with a passion for fashion? Chelsey Downie, London-based nail artist, recreates the Bratz for this manicure, complete with a Nokia accent nail.
Sweet Tooth
Nguyen’s nail set, which she’s aptly named “Sweet Tooth”, features a charm on each finger that looks good enough to eat.
Cherry Picked
Hot pink was everywhere in the early aughts, and in this manicure, it's complimented by 3D cherry designs.
Pierced
“I think the biggest change for nail trends since the early 2000s is going from loud and bold to soft and demure,” says Nguyen. “That’s not to say no one does bold designs anymore, but there is more of a demand for a minimalist look nowadays,” In her pierced manicure set, Nguyen adds some subtle flair with a negative space heart.
t.A.T.u
This blue-toned set is reminiscent of the hugely popular Ed Hardy tattoo print that was everywhere in the 2000s, or even the stickers out of the machine at the rollerskating rinks. Too nice? Anyone?
Red Hot
There’s no denying that a classic red nail will always be timeless, but you can always switch up the silhouette by playing with the nail shape itself. “Nowadays, you have stiletto, coffin (different types of coffins), almond (different types of almonds), etc.” says Nguyen. “There is even a lipstick shape that mimics the traditional slanted lipstick you twist up.”
Decade Drifting
Pulling in Y2K motifs into more modern nail shapes is a great way to pay homage to the decade while still sporting a fresh and current set.
Glitter Bomb
These long square acrylics would pair perfectly with oversized sunglasses, a trucker hat, a hot pink Juicy tracksuit, and platform flip-flops.
Hot Topic
We’d be remiss not to include this set of pure nostalgic nail art, complete with My Chemical Romance on an iPod that feels like you just stepped out of a time machine and into a Hot Topic.
All Things Silver
This set by nail artist San Sung Kim includes subtle details of self-titled “sterling veins” that give a nod to Y2K aesthetics without being too over the top.