The nail artists you have to follow on social media Lots of inspiration for your next manicure

Nail art is no longer just a matter of aesthetics. Today it is language, a statement, a manifesto. It has also become an essential step in the beauty routine. A quick scroll through social media is enough to realize it. Nails turn into sculptures, tiny canvases, tools of self-expression. International nail artists don’t just follow trends, they invent them, subvert them, and turn them into viral phenomena that we enjoy experimenting with. Some names are already icons: Jin Soon Choi, master of simple yet elegant designs; Eri Ishizu, with her colorful and pop press-ons; Isabella Franchi, who makes intricacy and vivid colors her strength; and Zola Ganzorigt, creator of Hailey Bieber’s unmistakable almond nails. Then there are visionary minds like Caccia Livingston, behind Doja Cat’s sculptural manicures, or Brittany Boyce, capable of turning even the most classic nails into a luxury red-carpet detail. Completing the picture are ateja Novakovic, with her sober and refined style, and Viviane Lee, aka Cyshimi, who launches futuristic and surprising manicures from São Paulo. A diverse universe, where every artist tells a different story.

Nail artists to follow on social media for nails ideas

Zola Ganzorigt 

If you think of Hailey Bieber nails, you inevitably think of her: Zola Ganzorigt, better known as @nailsbyzola. A pioneer of the satin effect, she is the mind behind this summer’s lemontini nails and, most famously, the viral glazed donut manicure, with its chrome, pearly finish that conquered not only Hailey but also Kylie Jenner, Sydney Sweeney e Sabrina Carpenter. Despite her rates, celebrities line up for an appointment with her. Why? Zola’s ability to translate her clients’ personalities into small masterpieces, and her refined, never-excessive aesthetic—perfectly balanced between minimalism and elegance, with a meticulous focus on almond-shaped nails, which she considers the most versatile and chic. Her creations range from minimalist French tips with luminous details to jewel-like manicures with delicate stones and flowers

Betina R. Goldstein

If your mantra is chic sobriety, the name to note is Betina R. Goldstein. Chanel’s nail artist and founder of Doublemoss Jewelry, she is the undisputed queen of nude manicures and microscopic decorations. Her story began almost by chance when, as a TV intern, she had to replace an absent manicurist and did the nails of 27 models in a single night. From that moment, her career skyrocketed. Today, her clients include Zoë Kravitz, Margot Robbie, Bella Hadid and Nicole Kidman. Her manicures are delicate but never ordinary: reinvented French tips, refined color-blocks, micro floral details painted like miniatures. Her philosophy is clear: nail beauty comes above all from care, from treated cuticles to finding the perfect nude shade. This approach makes her not just an artist but a true ambassador of hand health.

Mei Kawajiri 

Explosive, unpredictable, and radically creative, Mei Kawajiri aka @nailsbymei is the pioneer of 3D nail art. After moving from Japan to New York, she brought with her a vision that fuses pop culture, daily inspiration, and artistic experimentation. Each manicure is its own universe: resin-sculpted croissants, miniature baby bottles, realistic socks, even hand-painted anime scenes. It’s no wonder stars like Dua Lipa, Gigi Hadid, Rosalía and Emily Ratajkowski turn to her for stage and red-carpet looks. Fashion brands from Balenciaga to Marc Jacobs also call her for their campaigns. Her Instagram is a catalog of maximalist ideas that push boundaries and invite us out of our comfort zone. Looking at her creations, you wonder how far imagination can go in nail design. The answer? Probably everywhere, in a creative universe of endless possibilities.

Sojin Oh 

Some create beautiful nails, others create parallel universes. Sojin Oh belongs to the latter. Her manicures are ethereal, almost liquid: sculpted 3D flowers, droplets that look like suspended water, organic forms reminiscent of wild nature. Her style, which she describes as “ethereal, gastronomic, and chaotic,” is never repetitive, each creation is a dream taking shape on fingertips. She doesn’t just use polish but also everyday materials like fish bones, shell fragments, or even cellphone parts. For those seeking experimental nail art that evokes imaginary worlds, Sojin Oh’s feed is a dreamlike journey where nothing is left to chance. Unsurprisingly, Björk, the queen of musical and visual avant-garde, is one of her most loyal clients.

Alona Sobolevska

If you thought you’d seen it all, Alona Sobolevska will make you reconsider. Hers is extreme nail art, provocative at times, always surprising. Imagine thirty-centimeter nails, grotesque claws, intentionally unsettling details like fake snails or carnivorous elements. This isn’t manicure, it’s performance art, simultaneously disturbing and fascinating. Sobolevska doesn’t aim for the mainstream. Picking up on the ugly makeup revolution and brutalist makeup trend, her work is deliberately radical, for those who want to make their hands into a bold manifesto. A perfect example of how nail art can also be visual provocation.

Coca Michelle 

Coca Michelle loves to call herself a “visual poet,” and no definition could be more fitting. Each of her manicures tells a story, often tied to the identity of the wearer. She has worked backstage at Fashion Week and become a go-to name for stars like Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and Megan Thee Stallion, who entrust her with their red-carpet looks. Her nails mix boldness and sensitivity, transforming any outfit into a complete visual experience. Whether covered in multicolored glitter or microchips, depicting miniature galaxies or honoring kawaii aesthetics with butterfly wings or gel sculptures, following her means discovering an approach to nail art that is pure self-expression.

Park Eun-kyung 

On the other side of the world, in Seoul, Park Eun-kyung, known as @nail_unistella, revolutionized the concept of manicure with her famous shattered glass nails. Transparent, sparkling, inspired by the reflective shell of an abalone, yet crystal-like, they became a timeless global trend. Her designs mix natural elements and technology, funny and cute vibes, creating a perfect synthesis of complexity and originality. For this reason, her jewel-detailed manicures won over stars like Blackpink’s Lisa and BTOB’s Peniel. Today she is the go-to artist for the K-pop world, but she still loves nail art and sees it as fun, as well as true self-expression.

Lisa Mård 

Visionary and sculptural,  Lisa Mård has turned nails into surreal miniatures from another universe. Her creations aren’t mere decorations but organic sculptures, often made with unexpected materials like clear glue, water, or Vaseline. The result? Nails that look like flowers trapped in ice, tendrils curling from the nail bed, delicate lichens, or metallic growths with an almost alien vibe. What began as a creative outlet during the pandemic has evolved into a unique poetics: celebrating flaws, imperfections, and unusual shapes to redefine beauty itself. Her “Filthy Habits” look, with red-gold structures evoking burning cigarette butts, is a striking example of her provocative, fascinating aesthetic. Equally iconic is her wet-look experiment, where the nail surface appears liquid and fluid, magnetically catching the light.

Imarni Ashman

London is her base, but Imarni Ashman’s style has conquered the world. Specializing in nail art, acrylic extensions, and gel manicures, she is a reference name for celebrities like FKA Twigs, Zoë Kravitz, Hailey Bieber, Kate Moss, Rita Ora, and even A$AP Rocky. Her work, however, goes beyond stars. She has signed magazine covers like Vogue, Dazed, and Wonderland, collaborated with iconic photographers like Juergen Teller and Sølve Sundsbø, and worked backstage at numerous shows. With each project, Imarni proves that a manicure can be both a fashion accessory and an act of pure creativity. That’s why her nails are versatile: they can be sophisticated and minimalist or explosive and pop, always with a strong visual identity that stands out immediately.

Eri Ishizu

Color, lightness, and imagination: these are Eri Ishizu’s hallmarks, loved for her pop and theatrical manicures. Her most iconic works are her press-on nails, perfect for transforming a look in seconds, allowing her to play with ever-changing styles, from sparkly decorations to 3D details. It’s no surprise that Lizzo, Gwen Stefani and America Ferrera are among her loyal clients. Ishizu doesn’t just follow trends, she interprets them with irony and creativity, bringing joy and theatricality to every design. Following her on Instagram means diving into a colorful world where manicure is a statement of energy and personality.