You likely already have 2-3 go-to polish colors that you love and know work well with your skin color and clothing choices. But, if you’re looking for a way to add a little extra dazzle and pizzazz to your nails, enlisting nail designs is such a fun way to do it. They not only make a bold, standout statement but depending on the design, they can help your nails look longer, fingers look slimmer and hands look younger. But with so many designs to choose from, finding one you really love can be overwhelming. That’s why we gathered up the 10 best nail designs of 2023 from Barbie pink ombre nails to shiny chrome talons. You can recreate them yourself, or use them as inspiration for your next in-salon manicure.
Is nail art the right choice for you?
You might think you’re too old for nail art or worry that current trendy designs are too intricate for you to attempt, but Tina Wang, founder of Lunula Salon in Brooklyn, New York, urges you to reconsider, explaining that nail designs in 2023 are much simpler to do than those in years past. “There is always a market for over the top nails, but we’ve definitely seen an increase in celebrating the natural nail with more subdued designs,” says Wang. “Many of the most interesting nail designs have evolved from the classic French manicure as well as simpler designs that cover part, but not all, of the nail.”
Here, see the top nail designs 2023 that are sure to make you and your nails shine.
1. Posh polka dots
Multi-colored and multi-sized spots are dainty and feminine, and you can get creative with any color combination you want! Plus, polka dots draw the eye vertically to slim fingers.
Get the look:
Start with a clear base coat, like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Paint all nails with two coats of a sheer, milky white polish like Aieenjor Milky White Nail Polish (Buy on Amazon, $5). Let dry.
Using medium and small-sized dotting tools, like the HiMo Store 5 piece Nail Art Kit (Buy on Amazon, $3.99) dipped alternately in yellow, white, turquoise, marine blue and cobalt blue polishes (find them in a set like SHANY Cosmopolitan Nail Polish Set, Buy on Amazon, $29.99) place small dots spaced out sporadically on each nail. Let dry.
Finish with top coat.
2. Gorgeous gold foil accents
Adding touches of gold foil to nails makes them sparkle without overwhelming. Better yet, the metallic design reflects light onto nails and detracts from imperfections on hands.
Get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Paint two coats of a milky white polish like Aieenjor Milky White Nail Polish (Buy on Amazon, $5) onto all nails.
While polish is still tacky, place a small piece of gold foil like WFAUIBR Gold Leaf Flakes (Buy on Amazon, $5) shiny side down on a few accent nails at a diagonal near the tip of the nails of your choice. Gently press down on the foil, then remove.
The recent revival of all things Barbie, (thanks to this summer’s hit movie), is the reason why we’re seeing a wave of pink manicures this year. We especially love the Barbie pink ombre look by @nailsxmina. It’s a simple way to pretty up nails and the gradient pink hues draw attention away from age spots on hands. (Click through to read more about Barbie’s Fabulous 64-Year History + Discover What *Your* Vintage Barbie Is Worth)
Get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Paint each nail two coats of a different shade of pink, ranging from light pinks to darker hot pinks which you can find in Eternal Collections Pink Nail Polish Set (Buy on Amazon, $19.49). This will create an easy ombre effect, as the colors move from dark to light. Let dry.
While velvet nails might sound like a complicated design to create, but the technique, as seen on @overglowedit is actually very simple when you use “magnetic” polish! Plus the shimmery color helps blur flaws like crepey hand skin. (Click through for more ways to achieve magnetic nails.)
Get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Paint two coats of a magnetic polish like the ILNP polish in Zero Degrees (Buy from ILNP, $12.50) onto all nails.
Use a magnet wand like the ILNP Magnetic Wand (Buy from ILNP, $5) and hover slowly around the edges of each nail until you achieve your preferred look.
Finish with top coat.
See for yourself how simple it is to create velvet nails by watching the below video from Carole Annette on YouTube.
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Paint all nails with a rose gold polish like Essie Metallics Nail Polish in Penny Talk (Buy from Ulta, $10).
Take a loose nail shimmer like the Hyartisan White Pearl Chrome Nail Powder (Buy on Amazon, $6.99), and spread it all over the nail. Next, rub into the nail until it’s even and blended out.
Finish with top coat.
Watch this video tutorial from YouTuber Marla Kris to see how to easily create chrome nails.
6. Cheerful cherry nails
Put a cherry on top of these nails — literally! — with this delectable design. Not only do mini cherries give nails fruity, feminine flair, but they also take the focus off of aging beauty arghs on hands. (Click through to see more fruity nails designs of 2023.)
Get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Apply two coats of a sheer nude-pink polish like ella + mila Nail Polish in Pure (Buy from ella + mila, $10.50) onto all nails. Let dry completely.
Using a dotting tool like the HiMo Store 5 piece Nail Art Kit (Buy on Amazon, $3.99) dipped in a red polish like Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Red-ical Rockstar (Buy from Walgreens, $3.99), create two small red dots in pairs sporadically on each nail. Next, dip the dotting tool into a green polish like Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Green Apple (Buy from Walmart, $6.45) and use to draw the stems of the cherries.
Draw a small curved like on each cherry with a white striper polish like China Glaze Stripe Rite in Best In Snow (Buy from China Glaze, $6); let dry. Finish with top coat.
Embellishing nails with pearls as shown in the above design from @nailsbylaney_ makes a stunning statement. Plus, the pearls bounce light onto skin and nails so they look youthful and shiny, while pink French tips elongate the look of fingers.
To get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Dip a nail striping brush like iminoo 6 Piece Nail Art Brushes (Buy on Amazon, $4,98) into a pink polish like Sally Hansen Insta-dri in Racing Rose (Buy on Amazon, $5.24) and use to paint a french tip on each nail.
Place 3 pearl decals like Pveath Self Adhesive Pearl Stickers (Buy on Amazon, $6.99) onto the ring and middle fingernails.
Finish with top coat.
8. Wow-worthy watercolor jelly nails
Jelly-like sheer polishes are big trends when it comes to nail designs 2023 and using multiple shades like YouTuber Hannah Lee did in the video above to create a watercolor motif leaves nails looking mesmerizing. Bonus: the multicolor look has a blurring effect that makes nail ridges less apparent. (Click through to learn all about the watercolor makeup trend of 2023.)
To get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Either buy the ready-to-use jelly polish like the ones used in Lee’s video from Cirque Colors (Buy from Cirque Colors, $14.50 each), or create your own by mixing 1-3 drops of polishes in burgundy, dark pink, taupe, olive and dark slate shades into different bottles of clear top coat.
Make small brush strokes on the nail with each color, creating small splotches all over the nail. This does not need to perfect or neat. Let dry, then go over each splotch with a second coat, layering the colors as you go.
Finish with top coat.
9. Bright red and gold nails
Bold red hues are a top nail design of 2023 and using the shade in a color block way like above gives fingers playful pizzazz. Bonus: the vibrant color keeps the focus on nails and off veiny hands.
To get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
On the thumb, pointer and middle fingernails paint two coats of a bright red polish like essie Nail Polish in Geranium (Buy on Walgreens, $10). And on the pinky and ring fingernails, apply two coats of a sheer nude-pink polish like ella + mila Nail Polish in Pure (Buy from ella + mila, $10.50). Let dry completely.
On the ring fingernail, create a wavy section of color with the red polish at the top corner of the nail. On the pinky fingernail, do the same wavy pattern, but in the opposite top corner of the nail.
Using a glittery gold striping polish like FingerPaints Brushstroke of Brilliance Striping Polish (Buy from Sally Beauty, $3.49), create a thin, wavy line where the nude-pink and orange-red polishes meet. Let dry, then seal all nails with top coat.
10. Beautiful “eyeshadow” nails
Aura nails are a trend that resembles an ombre look and is reminiscent of a mood ring (as an aura represents a person’s energy and essence based on a certain colors). “The look features a solid base color of choice and includes a circular gradient in the center of the nail, made with eyeshadow,” says licensed nail artist Sigourney Nuñez. And while the design might look complicated, it’s a cinch to whip up as seen in the above tutorial from YouTuber Gaby Aleixandre. An added perk? The pop of color in the middle helpss create the illusion of longer nails.
Get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Paint each nail with two coats of a light blush polish like Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in In a Blush (Buy from Walgreens, $6.99). Let dry.
Dip an eyeshadow brush in a rose-gold eyeshadow and pat onto the middle of each nail. Next, use the same brush and dip into a slightly darker mauve or rose eyeshadow on a fluffy brush and pat into the middle of the rose-gold shadow on each nail.
Finish with top coat.
11.Unique upside-down French manicure
This look from YouTuber Amanda Bellantoni puts a modern spin on the classic French nail. The lengthening design can be made with a variety of color combinations — the possibilities are endless!
Get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry.
Paint two coats of an off-white polish like OPI Nail Lacquer in Alpine Snow (Buy from Walmart, $11.47) onto all nails. Let dry.
Apply two coats of a royal blue polish like essie Nail Polish in Butler Please (Buy from Ulta, $10) on each nail starting from about a third of the way above the cuticle. let dry.
Finish with top coat.
12. Chic checkered nails
Painting nails with this fun checkered design from the Simple Nail Designs YouTube channel is eye-catching and pulls the eye inward to slim hands.
Get the look:
Prep nails with a clear base coat like China Glaze Strong Adhesive Base Coat (Buy from Sally Beauty, $9). Let dry. Then, apply one coat of a sheer nude-pink polish ike ella + mila Nail Polish in Pure (Buy from ella + mila, $10.50) to all nails. Let dry.
Using a nail striping brush dipped into bright pink polish like Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Rapid Rose (Buy on Amazon, $5.24) and use to create two vertical lines and two horizontal lines on each nail. Next, fill in the bottom middle block, middle left and right block and top middle block with the pink polish. Let dry.
