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Kylie Jenner Is Bringing Back This ’90s Nail Art Trend

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Lisa Marie Basile
Published July 22, 2019

No matter how how hard many of us may try to deny it, the ’90s are part of our DNA. The outfits, catch-phrases, hair-dos, and music are all seared in our collective unconscious. Some of us may want to leave the ’90s and its aesthetic in the past, but others are all for it. Chokers? Yes, please. Snappy hair clips? Yup. BUTTERFLY fingernail design? In the holy name of Cher Horowitz, give it to us right now. Kylie Jenner sure agrees.

Although she isn’t really a “’90s kid” — after all, she was born near the decade’s end in 1997 — she’s one of the many who embrace the era’s forever iconic looks. In a July 2019 look, Kylie Jenner showed up with blue butterflies as nail art. This certifiably ‘90s nail reminds of a time when we wore peace signs, retro flowers, and Lisa Frank-inspired unicorn shirts like they were going out of business.

And while the trend never really disappeared — plenty of us stan the ’90s forever, no apologies given  — it is making a stronger comeback as of late. According to Rita Pinto, the owner of New York City’s Vanity Projects, talked to Refinery 29 and and confirmed the trend: “It sounds odd, but all of this summer’s biggest nail trends are ’90s throwbacks: deep white French, rainbows, and now butterflies.” Thank you, Rita, for this gift to humanity.

We can imagine that Kylie’s Instagram photo inspired about a million nail salon appointment phone calls. We’re dialing up our salon right now….

These ’90s nails are a cool version of the pink nails Kylie was rocking. Do you prefer the pink or blue?

These clear butterfly nails are pretty insane.

We especially love the sparkle! Anyone remember jelly sandals?

This nail art is about as ’90s as it gets.

You’d find this classic zig-zap color splotch vibe on everything in the ’90s,  from notebooks to book bags.

These look like the tights we all wore as kids in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

We still can’t decide how to feel about this one.

The ’90s were weirdly into the flame aesthetic.

It was everywhere — on tattoos, album covers, and on t-shirts.

We can imagine anyone in the cast of Clueless rocking these preppy nails — especially Cher in that iconic yellow outfit.

These nails make no apologies.

They’re about as ’90s as it gets, from the squiggles to the palm trees.

The ’90s look was ALL THE COLORS.

Just throw lime green, pink, yellow and blue at something and call it a “lewk.”

Powerpuff Girls, anyone?

This is a big-time throwback look! We’re not sure if we’d wear it, though. Would you?

And, of course, the basic french mani.

This is the ’90s at its most simplistic (and probably its most classic).

Nail decals were also big in the ’90s. You might have popped a few on yourself!

Weirdly, these are pretty nice.

We’d call this nail art “The ’90s Explosion.”

Thanks, Kylie, for reminding us that us ’90s babes still got it going!