How to Achieve the “Palm Beach Grandma” Nail Trend

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How to Achieve the "Palm Beach Grandma" Nail Trend

There I was getting a much needed lesson in nail art from a celebrity nail artist. Rita Reviews. After asking her to walk me through the easiest design for beginners (definitely a gradient manicure, she said), I was tasked with choosing three shades of jelly for the tie-dye effect. I chose apricot orange, creamy lavender, and pearlescent pink. Remark approved. “I love how ‘grandma’ nail polish is so popular right now,” she said as she began painting. Come again?

Obviously, I’ve been drawn to the gorgeous lacquers that a cool Palm Beach grandma might have worn in the ’60s, and I’m not alone. These colors have seen a huge resurgence recently thanks to our shared love of nostalgic nailsalong with a few A-list celebrity endorsements. Next, explore the eclectic shades I’m currently obsessed with and may or may not have texted to my grandma.

The woman's hands are painted with turquoise nails.

What are your nails?

Simple! “To me, a grandma nail polish is any color you might see your grandmother wearing,” says Remark. “They might be the first nail polishes you ever got. Think cool corals, dusty pinks, pearly neutrals—colors we might have shuddered at as teens but now feel nostalgic for and absolutely love.” I’d also add turquoise, opalescent pearls, and buttery yellows to the mix for more of a “grandma goes to Palm Beach” look.

I know what you’re thinking: Hailey Bieber and her nail artist are not Zola Ganzorigt responsible for the rise of pearl-covered nails? That may be true, because Bieber is the queen of sweets, enamel lacquerBut arguably the grandmas did it first. Still, Remark considers them the true trendsetters. “Frosted anything has been a beauty curse for years, but now adding pearls or glitter is so trendy,” she says of the nail trend. “Plus, these textures are so much more subtle and elevated than they were in the ’60s.” Still, she gives credit where it’s due.

A woman's hands are painted with light pink nails.

How to get the look

You may hear the phrase “grandma’s nails” and immediately picture the long, crimson tips you’ve seen on your grandmother’s nails, but Remark recommends sticking to cool or warm Palm Beach-inspired tones to keep the summer vibe. (Although, cherry digits quite timeless.)

“The key to any granny manicure is to have warm, matte, and/or pearly tones. Look for warm pinks and corals,” she explains. “If you want to dress it up like your grandma went to bingo, add a matte or pearly topcoat.” You can find all of her nail polish recommendations and more below for a timeless look, but classic.