I might have sworn off piercings, but I never defined the parameters of my decision. A certain Y2K trend has convinced me to re-evaluate my bias against the accessory off-late, and it’s mainly because it doesn’t demand I put myself through any pain. I’m talking pierced nail art — a trend that has celebrities and mere mortals alike, in a chokehold.
Just like half-moon manicures, piercings asserted themselves in the ’00s nail-art look-book. And though their appearance was exclusive to A-listers, they have returned with a renewed sense of wearability. Because you’re going to see them everywhere in the coming months, here’s a little about why the trend appealed to me so much along with different adaptations of the nail art trend that you might like.
I Love My Belly Button Piercing. But Never Again.
I’m pretty risk-averse. I don’t think I ever imagined a tattoo-clad man puncturing my belly with a razor-thin piercer. The concept was nauseating. But piercings have always piqued my curiosity, and I really wanted to do something a little badass — what with many branding me ‘safe’. A friend of mine proposed the idea of piercing our belly buttons together, and a week later, we found ourselves stationed outside a salon with quivering, ever-trembling lips. The rest is history.
Though it’s been over a year since I subjected myself to this horror, my piercing hasn’t absolutely healed. I still have to approach my workouts with caution. Even sleeping on my stomach puts pressure on the area. The tiniest jerk results in inflammation and swelling. I realise now that the appeal of aesthetics cannot sustain you in the long term.
But I love piercings exceedingly, and while I don’t plan on reliving my trauma any time soon, here’s what I promise to show you: a temporary, pain-free way of playing around with piercings. Ahead — the prettiest nail piercing looks that are my absolute favourites.
How To Play Around With Piercings Without Committing To Them
Milky Mush
J.Lo’s press-on nails left behind hundreds of heart-eyed admirers within seconds of nail-art wizard Tom Bachik debuting them on Instagram. The custom-made wasn’t just a collaboration of the ever-trending milky-white manicure with piercings. It showed minimalists that the accessory isn’t inherently edgy — that it isn’t reserved for or exclusive to a specific category of individuals.
The rest of the manicure was punctuated by other itsy-bitsy charms like pea-sized rhinestones, chains, and hearts — each maintaining the simplicity of the aesthetic. Notice how the singer’s ring plays into the narrative too.
Pink Poison
M.G.K always evolves the lacquers into five small-sized canvases for experimentation. This full-throttle manicure features miles-long, razor-sharp tips that dabble in a bold colour palette. This one’s a masterclass in drama — from the length and colour of the nails to the embellishments, his nail artist truly captured Kelly’s personality in a few swipes.
While J.Lo and M.GK’s nails are rooted in the same concept, notice how both lie on different ends of the nail-art spectrum. You choose your vibe.
French Funk
The conventional French manicure once again reigns supreme. But with a development. The best part about this one is that the piercings don’t monopolise the aesthetic. They just add a little personality to the nails without demanding you forfeit your go-to styles and preferences.
Tie-Dye
The tie-dye jellies borrow from the lip-gloss (alias jelly) manicure. Though it borrows from that trend’s subtlety, it adds a slight element of adventure to the end result by pricking the tips with small-size piercings. Even studs assert themselves here and there. If your manis are always colourful, this is one way to upgrade the aesthetic without going overboard.
Neutral N Natural
Just throw in some of these itsy-bitsies on one or two fingers. Choose something neutral-toned like a sheer, see-through pink, and complete the aesthetic with pairs of gold-dipped piercings enriching some lacquers.
Basic Badass
This all-white manicure is for the minimalists who want to experiment with the trend without feeling like they’ve jumped on the bandwagon overtly.
Black Bomb
Or trade in your whites and pinks for a matte-based black that endows your lacquers with an edginess that only a couple of piercings can amplify — as demonstrated in this look.
You might have reservations about the trend, but piercings have adapted and reinvented themselves to suit different aesthetics. It’s time for you to dip your toes (nails) in something different this time around.
Featured Image: Instagram
