The “Italian Manicure” Is Your Answer to Longer-Looking Nails

Italian manicures are the latest nail trend sweeping TikTok. The hack is said to make nail beds appear longer with just the use of gel nail polish. Get inspiration for your own Italian manicure on long or short nails here. If you’re a big fan of making folders dedicated to all the latest nail trends…

Italian manicures are the latest nail trend sweeping TikTok.
The hack is said to make nail beds appear longer with just the use of gel nail polish.
Get inspiration for your own Italian manicure on long or short nails here.

If you’re a big fan of making folders dedicated to all the latest nail trends that you want to try, then there’s no doubt that you’ve been on TikTok looking for the latest and greatest ideas to add to your collection. You may have come across trendy designs like swirls or 3D nails, but have you ever heard of the Italian manicure?

In a video that has since gone viral on the app, manicurist Alexandra Teleki explains how the technique is used to make the wearer’s nails look longer. Usually, according to Teleki, it works best on short “squoval” (a cross between square and oval) or regular oval-shaped nails, and though it has a bit of a nuance to it, the technique is actually very easy to replicate.

@thehotblendofficial Italian Nail Paiting Technique 🇮🇹🫶#buildergel #biab #gelnails #nailtech ♬ Sky Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

“When painting a full colour, you want to get as close as possible to the cuticles without touching the skin,” Teleki says in the video. “Paint in a vertical line, and leave a small gap between the nail wall and the gel.” The end result is a nail bed that looks thinner, narrower, and, in turn, longer.

You’ve probably seen a few hacks that give the appearance of longer nail beds before, like the french-manicure gradient for starters, but in the right light, the Italian manicure looks just like any other single color nail look — making it perfect for minimalists or people who prefer to steer clear from nail-art looks in general. If you’re looking for some inspiration for your own Italian manicure, take a look at some of the best versions of the manicure to re-create ahead.