From Jacquemus to Jellycats, perfumes to prebiotic soda, fruit is trending across all areas of culture. It should come as no surprise then that fruit-themed nails continue to crop up all over our social feeds. But it’s not just any fruit nails that we’re scrolling past (and obsessively saving to our favorites). It’s the itty-bitty designs that have captured our hearts and have nail artists going bananas. “Micro fruit nails are such a great way to celebrate the summer season while still looking chic and understated,” says nail artist San Sung Kim. “Tiny fruit designs are so appealing because they’re cute and often have beautiful details, making the look even more impressive as you get closer. That in itself is a statement.”
Like many of today’s buzziest, food-inspired beauty trends, we can pretty confidently trace the origins of fruit nails back to Hailey Bieber. Last summer, manicurist Zola Ganzorigt gave her a “farmers market-inspired manicure,” which featured adorable little fruits and vegetables atop a sheer nude base. Bieber’s consistent virality, combined with the beauty industry’s ongoing obsession with cherries and strawberries, created a ripe environment for the micro fruit nail trend to flourish…and keep on flourishing. According to Spate Data, compared to last year, searches for “fruit nails” have grown 58% on Google and a staggering 222.3% on TikTok, with nearly two million views per week on the app.
Fruit nails don’t have to be just a spring or summer fling. Nail artists enjoy experimenting with the designs throughout the year. “I particularly love fruit nail art because it’s so universal,” says manicurist Meagan Knight, who specializes in miniature designs of all kinds. “It works in every season.”
Bieber’s tiny fruits layered over sheer nude polish is a common pairing seen by manicurists who specialize in micro nail art, such as Knight and Betina Goldstein. But that’s not the only way to wear the trend. You can add tiny fruit over a pastel cream or cat-eye polish, or combine them with a colorful French tip. Whatever backdrop you choose, pros recommend keeping the shade soft and any additional patterns simple “so that the fruit really stands out,” says Knight. “You have to have contrast so the fruit doesn’t get lost.”
There are easy ways to do micro fruit designs, like using a dotting tool or round-shaped rhinestones to create cherries, grapes, and blueberries. And then there are the ways to add depth and complexity that require more patience, a steady hand, and maybe a magnifying glass. “The most challenging part is getting the details on there when they are so tiny,” says nail artist Alyx Lippiat. “It takes a lot of precision, which is why I often paint only one or two designs per set, instead of painting all 10 fingers.”
If you decide to freehand it, you’ll have more success using the right brushes. “I always use my Biosculpture Upper Arch Liner Brush for nail art,” says Lippiat. “As a general rule, the longer the liner brush, the better. Shorter brush tips don’t have as much movement, so you can’t be as fluid with your designs. Longer ones give you that bend you need to create different shapes, which are mostly round for fruits.”
Kim always keeps two thin liner brushes on hand when painting micro fruit: one with extra-long bristles (to create the outlines of your designs) and one with slightly shorter bristles (for adding tiny details). When it comes to a long liner brush, we recommend either the Nails-Luxe Liner Brush K or the Doublemoss Arte 4 Long Striper Brush (designed by Goldstein, micro nail artist extraordinaire), which features 19 mm-long tip bristles. As for a short brush, Kim prefers the Ricca Gel Universal Liner Brush, which is the perfect length for creating the tiny seeds and speckles on kiwis and strawberries.
Another crucial element for fruit nail art is your topcoat, as in you want it to look extra glossy, says Knight. “You need to use something that looks as plump and juicy as the fruit itself; it really brings the look together.” When it comes to regular polish, Knight uses the Essie Gel Setter or the Essie Gel Couture Topcoat. For gel, she prefers a non-wipe topcoat like Kokoist’s Ultra Glossy Non-Wipe Top Coat Gel.
Of course, if you don’t have the patience to hone your miniature painting skills, you can schedule a salon appointment. But if you prefer to skip the salon, then you can find plenty of press-on options from brands like PaintLab and Olive and June, as well as nail stickers from Le Mini Macaron and Daily Charme. Look for options with the smallest fruit you can find to ensure you’re capturing both the simplicity and delightfulness that define the trend. “The fact that these designs are so miniature is what everyone loves about them,” says Lippiat, highlighting how painting a simple fruit with a lot of detail is key to the look. “It does less and yet the most at the same time.” Ahead, scroll through the juiciest inspiration for fruit nails.
Micro Fruit Nail Inspiration
3D Fruit Nails
Mixed Fruit Nails
Cherry Nails
Short Fruit Nails
