“Maximalism in beauty is having a real main character moment,” Tinu tells Glamour. “After years of pared-back, neutral nails, people are clearly craving something expressive and bold. It’s the nail equivalent of statement jewellery! Plus, with social media spotlighting so many creative designs, maximalist nails have become a form of self-expression.”

Maximalist nails can seem really scary to clean girls, but my nails have always been a bridge between the different sides of my personality: between the girly and the otherworldly, the princess and the alien. I want them long, dainty, sparkling, but also larger than life.

Courtesy of Robyn Eugene

“Maximalism doesn’t have to mean cluttered, the trick is to pick a theme or style”, is Tinu’s advice for dipping your tips into maximalist nails. “For example, stick to one colour palette, or focus on one design element (like stars, swirls, or gems) and repeat it across your nails. Negative space is also your friend – letting the natural nail peek through gives the eye some breathing room. That way, your nails look intentional, not messy.”

My nail tech Lottie, aka moodienails.lnd on Instagram, totally embodies that. Her process feels more like art therapy than an appointment. I’ll come in with a moodboard filled with fabrics, TV scenes, jewellery, even screenshots of runway looks, and we’ll build the design together, nail by nail.

“I developed this process because I enjoy creating nails that are personal to each person,” she told me during last weekend’s appointment. “Taking inspiration from their favourite patterns, colours, music and fashion inspirations… allows the client to see their moodboard come to life.”

Having trained as an artist, Lottie said that she “found nails to be the perfect small-scale canvas for creativity, from personal expression to runway and editorial looks.” This process is collaborative, creative and one of the few rituals that grounds me while letting me feel completely myself.