Kylie Jenner Puts an Unexpected Insect Twist on the French Manicure Trend

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 3 July 2024

My nail art preferences are as basic as basic can be: a heart here, a flower there. Maybe a geometric design if I’m feeling really wild. Never did I ever think I’d legitimately contemplate getting a worm design on my pointer finger. Yet, Kylie Jenner and celebrity nail artist Zola Ganzorigt have somehow managed to make insect nail art—dare I say—the most appealing summer nail trend.

Allow me to set the scene: Jenner has medium-length, almond-shaped nails. They're pretty standard. But she puts a "summer garden" twist on each of her French tips, attaching a little backyard bug to the half-moon shape. Some critters are cutesy and to be expected for a summer manicure. There’s an innocent bumble bee, a ladybug, even a pretty blue butterfly. But Kylie’s personal “favorite” is a “little worm,” which is accompanied by a snail and an ant. The Sprinter founder even has a beetle intricately drawn onto her nail.

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While the insect nail art is undoubtedly the primary focus here, the backdrop on which they’ve been drawn indicates a huge summer nail trend. Neon French manicures are about to be everywhere.

“I think of the French manicure as the nail design gift that keeps on giving—it’s nail art’s immortality,” celebrity nail artist Miss Pop previously told Marie Claire while discussing summer 2024 nail trends. “No matter what you do with it, it’s not obtuse. It’s easy to understand. We all expect to see a highlighted nail tip.”

According to Cardi B’s longtime nail artist Jenny Bui, “Neon color is making a comeback—especially this summer.” Take a cue from Jenner and opt for a bright yellow, or swipe on a pink, blue, green, or orange of your choice. It’s all about experimentation.

Shop everything you need to recreate Jenner’s unexpectedly chic nails (including little insect stickers for those who can’t DIY little critters), ahead.

Everything You Need for a Garden French Manicure

OPI Nail Lacquer Nail Polish, Pinks

Bees and Ladybugs Waterslide Nail Decals - Nail Art Decals

Orly Nail Lacquer

Essie Yellows + Browns Nail Polish

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Samantha Holender is the Senior Beauty Editor at Marie Claire, where she reports on the best new launches, dives into the science behind skincare, and shares the breakdown on the latest and greatest trends in the beauty space. She's studied up on every ingredient you'll find on INCI list and is constantly in search of the world's glowiest makeup products. She's constantly tracking the biggest nail and hair trends to pop up in the beauty space, going backstage during fashion weeks, tracking celebrity looks, and constantly talking to celebrity hair stylists, nail artists, and makeup artists. Prior to joining the team, she worked as Us Weekly’s Beauty and Style Editor, where she stayed on the pulse of pop culture and broke down celebrity beauty routines, hair transformations, and red carpet looks. Her words have also appeared on Popsugar, Makeup.com, Skincare.com, Delish.com, and Philadelphia Wedding. Samantha also serves as a board member for the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). She first joined the organization in 2018, when she worked as an editorial intern at Food Network Magazine and Pioneer Woman Magazine. Samantha has a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from The George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs. While at GWU, she was a founding member of the school’s HerCampus chapter and served as its President for four years. When she’s not deep in the beauty closet or swatching eyeshadows, you can find her obsessing over Real Housewives and all things Bravo. Keep up with her on Instagram @samholender.

Everything You Need for a Garden French Manicure

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