Simplicity in nail design can be just as beautiful and impactful as more intricate designs. By incorporating elements such as negative space, small dots, French tips, fresh colors, and glitter accents, you can create a chic and elegant manicure that is both classic and on-trend. With a few polish colors, decorating tools, stickers, and this list of simple manicure looks, you can become a DIY nail pro and never run out of ideas. Here are 25 simple nail designs to try now:
Pistachio Swirl
This design features green squiggles on a nude base, creating a fun and fresh look. To achieve this look, use the shades Matcha and Chartreuse from Gel Care and Mint Chocolate Chip from Le Mini Macaron.
Rainbow Rhinestones
This manicure features a nude base adorned with rainbow rhinestones from Cirque Colors. The crystal detail adds a pretty pop against the neutral background, resulting in a fun yet understated look.
Yin-Yang
This design features a pretty yin-yang tip design on a milky base. The shade Terracotta from Nail Bunny is used to create this look. The shade is similar enough to the milky base that it fades away while still adding a little hint of color.
French Tips
French tips are a classic and timeless design that never goes out of style. This set was executed beautifully using the shades Rose BB Cream from Gel Care and Smelly Cat from Madam Glam.
Pink Aura
This design features a sheer pink focal point on the nails. It was created using OPI shades Baby, Take a Vow and Aphrodite’s Pink Nightie. A makeup sponge is used to create an aura effect on the nail, making it quick and on-trend.
Card Shuffle
This playing cards-inspired mani is perfect for those who love to gamble. It was created using Cirque Colors shades Toadstool, Memento Mori, and Chemistry, along with Kelli Marissa stickers.
Glitter Top Coat
Adding some chunky glitter atop any shade instantly adds a point of interest without going over the top. This look uses Fuyu Jelly, Final Girl, and Hex Girl from Cirque Colors.
Purple Squiggles
Abstract lines are an easy way to add a little something special to an otherwise plain manicure. This look was created using the shades Divine Self and Milky Dream from Madam Glam.
Nearly Natural
A nude polish is a classic and simple design, but Rivas took this look to the next level by applying a milky, sheer shade that allows you to still see the nail underneath.
Blue French Tips
This design features angular blue tips on a milky base. The shade Dusty Mint from Gel Care, described as “the perfect French blue,” and Nude BB Cream are used to create this look. Instead of going with the traditional French tip look with a curve, an angular design is followed for a bit more edge. A darling little lace-inspired design is added to the thumb.
Black Cat
With Halloween right around the corner, this design is the perfect simple, spooky look. The design features the face of a black cat on the tips with metallic silver polish for the eyes.
Reverse Pink Tips
This pink-on-pink look takes the traditional tip and flips it upside down, outlining the base of the nail instead of the tip. It’s done using two glittery shades of pink.
Floral Pop
A nude, milky base creates the perfect simple manicure. But this look gets a special accent thanks to a simple flower featuring white petals and an amber center.
Heart Tips
Holidays are a great time to introduce nail art. This Valentine’s look uses OPI shades Princesses Rule, Big Apple Red, and Alpine Snow. Using a makeup sponge for the ombré and a dotting tool for the hearts, this can be a simple accent nail or all ten for a fun, flirty, festive design.
Strawberry Milk
Strawberry milk nails have dominated social feeds this year. They take the sheer, barely-there polishes we all love and then add a soft, pink hue that’s ultra-flattering.
Skittle Nails
Skittle nails are a simple, fast, fun way to have an artistic look with each nail a different color. This look was created using a mix of different OPI polishes.
Tonal Lines
This manicure supplies fall vibes without a single leaf or pumpkin in sight. It features a tonal diagonal stack of brown, beige, and white lines over a milky nude base.
Scarlet Red
A bold pop of color, like this scarlet red, is perfect for a simple yet impactful manicure. A pop of color depending on the season is always fun when keeping it simple.
Dotted Outline
This hot pink look gets a fun upgrade with this pink, orange, and yellow dot design. The tiny dots create an outline around two nails with a nude base for a fun, but subtle pop.
Red Accent
Although the shades used to create this look are bright and impactful, the design is quite minimal. The red swirls add a sculptural touch.
Pink Polka Dots
Take your traditional polka dot to the next level with this ombré interpretation. Each finger features polka dots in a different shade of pink, creating a pretty gradient effect.
Orange Chrome
A chrome finish can take any color to the next level. This shimmery orange look is created using a chrome finish.
Subtle Shimmer
This design is so simple you might miss it if you look too fast. It features a milky white base with a tiny swipe of gold on two fingers. The look is both pretty and elegant.
Monochromatic Half Moons
Tapping into a design that emulates the half-moon of your nails is a great way to add a simple touch. This look features a different color on each nail, along with a tonal glitter half-moon.
Pink Ombré
Simply painting a different shade of pink on each nail creates this gorgeous gradient. It uses five shades from Magpie Beauty, all topped with Bride Chrome Dust.
