100+ Pretty Nail Designs You Will Definitely Love

It seems that we can never get enough of our nails. From cutting, trimming, and shaping your nails to opting for the right color, nails look great if you treat them well. Now, when you can think of all the proper grooming sessions for every part of our body, why should we leave behind the nails. Yes, we are talking about the electrifying and intrinsic colors that are sure to steal the show. But, why would manicuring the nails only be subjected to the colors? I, mean, why can’t we discuss more the pretty nail designs? Well, of course, we can especially talk about the tropically bright colors when the summer is setting in right with all its vibrancy.

pretty nail designs

The best part of the story remains that you get spoilt with various designs while donning the nails. They are cool, sexy, attractive, and never let you get bored because you can change the designs as and when you wish to. So, what’s the next thought of action? Are you pinning on to try the various pretty nail designs to suit your day? Well then, we have the next section for all you pretty ladies out there.

Browse through the list, choose the nail art and let the rest fall into place.

Beautiful & Pretty Nail Designs For 2022

French Manicure

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pretty nail designs
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A French manicure is always a special one because it usually consists of a band of white polish placed across the tip of the nail, that’s forming a contrast with the often clear or pale polish that’s spread below. Now, the French Manicures always has been a special one but has emerged lately with contemporary twists. It’s 2022 and the double-tipped version is much on the high rise. White, pink, and pale pastels are the coolest colors to go best with the French Manicures. So, start working on the nails, and give them the shine they want.

Checkerboard Nails

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pretty nail designs
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If you are a chess lover then this is the one for you. Also, you don’t need to move anywhere for the checkboard, as it is always ready on your fingertips. Now, jokes apart, they might look difficult, but they are one of the pretty nail designs which are easy to create and flaunt. Start by applying the white base coat, and make it smooth enough. Then use the black paint with a lot of pigment, and start doing the edges. Form the criss-cross pattern, and start filling in the squares with the necessary shades. End the thing with a top-coat for an everlasting effect.

Pink Skies

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pretty nail designs
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The sky is blue and we all know that. However, for this time let the imaginations run wild and let the puffy white clouds float all over the pink skies placed perfectly on these heavenly nails, also featuring the perfect shine and a few glitter stars. Also known as faux nails, these are quite the easier ones to apply and remove, so, you don’t need to think much about the bits of color that are always left behind on the nails once you start removing the colors. Just make sure to keep the nails big, well-shaped, and clear for applying the pink coats.

Mismatched Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The mismatched nails have a particular name, and we call them as Ombre mani. Besides, they are one of the most colorful names from the list of pretty nail designs, as you get to put ten different colors on each of the nails. It’s like placing all of your favorites in one frame. Choose the pastel shades with a matte effect to place on the nails, and to make them more attractive. It’s quite a beautiful idea that has hit the fashion world and is here to stay for sure, for a longer period.

Pastel Swirls

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pretty nail designs
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The pastel swirls have won appreciations and fetched likes for a great background frame for the walls, images, or any other similar things. However, it’s time we also consider them as a nail art design. It’s a great thing to go, as the colors start blending like a whirlwind, and therefore, you can try several hues at one go. It’s the complete abstract art form where all the pastel shades are placed together to form the unique color that’s difficult to get elsewhere. So, this is just the thing you were looking for, right?

Black and White Flower Nail Design

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pretty nail designs
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Yes, we have discussed in detail the checkerboard nails. So, this is the time we would be discussing another variant of the black and white nails, but this time placed with flowers to make it to the list of pretty nail designs. Here, we can also create a contrast by applying either black or white paint in alternative nails. When the paint has dried down a bit, we can create flowers on the nails with opposite color paints. By doing this, the design looks dazzling enough to be spotted from any corner.

Stars Nails

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pretty nail designs
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As the name suggests, the starred nails are inspired by the clear and bright night sky, filled with twinkling stars. Of course, you get to choose from a host of designs that includes, sparkly jeweled creations to shiny chrome, and from gold manicures to the low-keyed and understated minimalist black stars. This one is also a super cute manicure that’s suitably done for any time of the year, and there is a design for almost everyone on the block. For getting the stars, either you can hand paint them or place the glittery stickers.

Turquoise Tips

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pretty nail designs
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The turquoise-tipped nails have been the voguish names this season. Also, while seeking pretty nail designs, they appear in the forefront, as they make the nails appear cut, clear, and polished. You can always look for vibrant colors, ranging from sky blue to green, and the best part remains the glossy and shiny effect that’s placed on the nails. To make it more appealing and attractive, you can think of placing embellished stones, or any other shiny material that suites your style. Make sure to trim the nails at regular intervals for enhanced effect.

Yin Yang Nails

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pretty nail designs
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Let’s discuss in bits and parts the Yin Yang symbols. This one holds its roots in Taoism/Daoism, which is again a part of Chinese religion and philosophy. The yin is supposed to be the darkest swirl and is associated with shadows, femininity, and the trough of a wave. Now, the yang is a light swirl, that represents brightness, passion, and growth. Even if black and white are the base colors that suit the Yin Yang nails, but you can also think of the other different shades like blue and pink instead of black.

Holographic Manicure

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pretty nail designs
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Again, this is one of the coolest names from the list of pretty nail designs. Holographic nail polishes aren’t too different from regular nail polishes. Rather, they are the same, minus the holographic nail polishes that have a pigment like the Spectraflair added to them. Spectraflair is a pigment that’s made from aluminum and magnesium fluoride and refracts light well, and this is the thing that gives the shade its holographic properties. They have a particular 3D effect that’s hard to get from any other shade or color of the nail-art design.

Smiley-face Nails

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pretty nail designs
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Smiley-face nails are the cutest ones to occur. Start with a black nail polish pen or a skinny tip brush, and create a smiley face in the middle of each nail. To do this, dab on two dots near your cuticle, or you can also use a toothpick to be more precise, and then make half of the letter ‘O’ below it. This is how your smiley face would be facing other people. Let it dry for at least 5 minutes, and then start flaunting it well. For a pro-tip, yellow and black are the best colors to go with this.

Foil French Nails

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pretty nail designs
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Yes, these are the pretty nail designs that have a special connection with the foil paper. Here, an aluminum foil is placed on the fingertips to soak off artificial nails. You put place a cotton ball with acetone on the nail, then wrap it in the foils to help dissolve the nails without passing out from the fumes. More than anything else, the foil French nails are more of experimentation that can be also tried at home where even the ordinary nail polishes can be transformed into a work of perfect nail art.

Bright Stripes

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pretty nail designs
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The bright striped nails might seem to be the straight and simple lines placed together on the nails. However, they are quite more than that where the lines might be blended with other designs. This design is more prominent as the pastel manicure where the lines in several pastel hues are placed one after the other and the tips state of a French manicure. This is quite a playful design for the nails where the colors have a delightful blend, and also helps to gain a visual delight.

Pink Ombre Nails

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pretty nail designs
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Pink and white ombre nails feature the perfect blend of these two colors smoothly graduating into each other. This one is one of the most popular pretty nail designs that look particularly striking when done with a dark and light color tone coming together. However, you can also consider doing with different textures like glitter and chrome. They look aesthetically beautiful and extravagant, where the pink looks soothing and beautiful when done great. Get the nails shaped well, do the polishing in a good way, and let the nails shine bright.

Cow Print Nails

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pretty nail designs
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Another strikingly beautiful variant of the black and white nails has gained a separate fanbase due to its classic style. The best thing about this cow nail art design remains that it is suitable for any length of the nail. So even if you are distressed about the short nails, this is the perfect one for you. You can also make the art enjoyable by roping in solid colors and creating it on a transparent base instead of a white one.

Cheeky Strawberry Nails

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pretty nail designs

Red is the prominent base color for this name on the list of pretty nail designs. It’s practical and beautiful yet can also be designated as the sultry hot red thing. Besides, you can also get the checkerboard nails in red and black colors. Start by painting the base red, and make sure that the edges are painted well in black. The black squares are placed perfectly all over the nails to create the intended design. Also, don’t forget the glossy finish for this nail art.

Negative-space Hearts

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pretty nail designs
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This nail art design is specially meant for the V-day look. To start this, first, apply a base coat over the nails. Then start painting a heart with neon pink nail polish on the thumb, a heart with white polish on the middle finger, and finally a heart with light pink polish on the little finger. Paint dots all over the heart area. Then, end the process by applying red polish on the index finger except for that heart-shaped area, and white polish on the ring finger except for the heart-shaped area.

Oreo Cookie Nails

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pretty nail designs

If you have a sweet tooth, this is one of the must-try pretty nail designs. By this, we are talking about the much-loved cookies for real, that have been sandwiched with creme filling. Also, unlike the other designs which witness fragments of chocolate, cream and even foil wrapping reimagined on the tips, these include some original Oreo. All you need to go are the clear White Acrylic powder smeared all over the nail, and then the original cookie crumbs scattered into bits and placed over, while it’s still wet.

Little Lemons Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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Lime and lemon crushers are the best refreshments for the blazing hot summer. For that, you can also try the little lemons nail art that looks cute, minimalist, and feminine. This design looks best on the short and clipped nails, so start with the white base, and then place the bits and traces of yellow following the lemon’s shape. Traces of green also looks good as the leaves of the lemon. The entire combo appears much soothing to the eyes.

Moody Half Moon Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The moody half-moon nails are usually found because of the Lunula, which is the half-moon shape found at the base of the fingernail. They cover the nail’s bottom or are usually found hidden underneath the cuticle or skin, right at the base of your fingertips. To be considered as one of the pretty nail designs is cool enough, as you just need to fill in more colors to the nails.

Polka Dots

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pretty nail designs
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The polka dot nail art designs are quite easy, so you can also get this done at your place. They are timeless and attractive, so you can choose any two colors that you have loved the most, and then create the pattern. Of course, make sure that they blend in well.  The most common ones are the white dots placed amidst the nails smeared in pink or red.  To try it differently, think of the golden and brown polka- dotted design for the nails.

Marble Nails

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pretty nail designs
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This is one of the simplest DIY techniques to be used for the enhancement of pretty nail designs. Black, white, grey, or green are the possible colors to be used for this design. First, apply a base color, and then swirl all the possible colors in a water-filled bowl. Then dip all of the fingers in that bowl, and have a look at your fingers. Once the colors start drying, remove the excess with a nail polish remover, and clear the base around the nails. Also, remove the paint from the sides and the cuticles.

Matte Manicure

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pretty nail designs
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The Matte nails are quite a unique and different take on the usual high-end gloss finishes. They look sleek, sophisticated, and also be more subtle, especially if you are donning them for the workplace. It also makes a nice contrast when you are trying to use both glossy and matte paint in the same nail art, even when we are talking about the same shade. Try the dense shades like deep green, burgundy, or deep purple to try the matte manicure.

Floral Stamped Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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This nail art is almost like the Spring that has hit your fingertips again. It’s generally one of the pretty nail designs that look good if you have a darker base color for the flower motifs to carry on. Usually, a dark green base that has flowers in navy blue is the design that looks best. Try this with a matte effect, and see the nails shine well.

Splatter Nails

pretty nail designs
pretty nail designs

To start with the splatter nails, initiate the process by dipping a paintbrush or cotton swab into the nail polish remover and dab away any splatter that might have seeped onto your cuticle or skin. Apply a proper top coat to all the digits, and yes, you are all done. Make sure that not even a bit of the color looks out of place.

Cherry Nails

pretty nail designs
pretty nail designs

If the fruit art nail designs are a thing of interest for you, then this is one of the pretty nail designs you need to opt for. Emphasizing on the red and white colors, along with the French Manicures on the tip, the designs look cute when you have wild berries floating all around. To think of an alternative, you can smear some of the nails with polka-dotted designs, while the others would have a white base along with the cherries placed on them. Just for a change, you can also think of the pale blue base as an alternative.

Leopard Print Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The leopard prints have been hitting the scene for a long time now. It’s like a bolder variation of the black and white spot designs, or maybe a bit wider than the polka-dotted designs. Golden, brown, silver, white, and black are the typically prominent colors used for nail paint. The best ones are perhaps the nails with the white or golden base that has small silver or golden dots. Yes, the golden ones look cooler, especially when you have it done in a glossy effect. You can also sprinkle some golden glitters for a better approach.

Tribal Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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The tribal nail art designs have always gained a hiatus amongst the pretty nail designs owing to their particular pattern and intricate structures. Besides, the Tribal nail designs are often featured with colorful and bold patterns that mainly speak of dots, stripes, and geometric shapes. These visual patterns also create a strong effect on the audience. Besides, these designs work wonderfully for the festive seasons or special occasions You also get to use several colors, and bright polishes, and turn them into customized ones while recreating them.

Rainbow Nails

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pretty nail designs
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Honestly, you don’t need to wait for the rains to look out for a rainbow. This time, you get to carry the rainbow everywhere with the nails smeared in all bright hues. Yes, they look pretty and colorful, whereas the hues add an ultra-pretty vibe to your nails. It’s almost like placing the shades one after the other, where you start with Violet and end with red. The entire story lies in the placement of the colors, where they get the perfect blend once they are smeared in the nails in the perfect order.

Glittery Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The glittery nail art designs have become everyone’s favorite while seeking the pretty nail designs. Besides, theGlitter nail art designs also add an extra edge to the nails, brightening them up while moving and sending sparkles in the dull moments. They are the best choice for the sultry summer, with the fact that you get to use a lot of lavender shades that suites perfectly with the silver glitter and sparkles. Nails smeared in black with silver glitters are also quite the popular option for glittery nail art designs.

Trendy Neon Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The neon colors look cool, bright, and fashionable, and are the latest ‘go-to trend. Maybe, you can think of a ‘mix-and-match style where the polka dot style gets merged with the neon shades like yellow or green. Let’s say nails smeared in neon yellow with the black polka dots or the same style is done in green. They both compliment each other well, and for a change, you can also think of the blue dots instead of black. Here, you get the chance of playing with various colors as there is a nail smeared in black where you can place all the polka dots in neon shades like green, pink, and yellow.

Easy Braided Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The nail artists have thought this to be one of the pretty nail designs that’s more of a DIY hack. The braided nails are so named because of the colors that form a design that’s intertwined and feels like the colors are placed in a braided format. Choose a base color that generally of a light shade, let’s say yellow. Then think of the other brighter shades like blue and pink. Color the edges and sides, and form small blocks in a way that it feels like a braid is placed on the nails.

Jewel-encrusted Nails

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pretty nail designs
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If you are seeking real-life imagery of jewels, then try the jewel-encrusted nails instead of the sparkle or glitters ones. The stylists often start by baking the jewel onto the manicure, or either adding it on top of acrylic or gel nails. Here, the jewels are mostly made to look like colored diamonds, that also have specific shapes and sparkles. For a pro-tip, you can now create your personalized jewel-encrusted nails with the help of nail art kits. These kits often include the adhesive, jewels, and top-coat which are needed to get the nails that would last.

Segmented Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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There are other various names by which you can term this one from the list of pretty nail designs. Now, we all know that color blocking with different colors can lead to an incredible and unique nail art design. Talking of the Segmented nail art, the pattern is fun, and you can also make the same pattern on all nails or rearrange the same colors to get a similar effect. Of course, for better enhancement, it’s better to have a glossy effect while you are trying this one. Did you choose the colors yet?

Metallic Nails

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pretty nail designs
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It seems that the metallic nails are having their time this season. The reason behind the increasing number of popularities is the adaptability that the metallic nails show by getting paired with any other color, and of course, suits best with the larger coffin- shaped nails. The perfect shine that these nails show is the best part while doing this. Green, blue, golden, silver, or black, think of any color that works best with the nails, create a shiny surface, and let your nails do the talking. However, don’t use any sparkle or stone while donning this style.

3D Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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Time to go real with the 3D nail art designs. This is one of the pretty nail designs that have a three-dimensional artwork created on the fingernails. Typically, the design is mostly created on acrylic, or sometimes also on the fake nails, which are then applied all over the wearer’s natural fingernails. Start by applying a base coat in whichever color you like. Then, it’s time for the real art where the stylists would either glue decorations using nail glue or create custom art with the help of extra nail gel or acrylic.

Abstract Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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There’s no limit or restrictions to creativity when you are doing nail art designs. Thus, the abstract nail art designs have also become voguish this season for contemporary women. You just need to pick the proper colors and theme for creating the abstract nails. The designs might include different geometric or tribal patterns listing lines, splatters, or even the basic patterns like dots, acrylic colors, gel paints, and glitters, which form a confluence to create fun looks. The retro designs also have a separate fanbase as abstract nail art.

Watercolor Nails

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pretty nail designs
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Yes, we can also use watercolor on nails, besides the canvas or drawing sheets. Start by applying an even base coat over the nail and then allow it to dry. Once that is dried, apply the white polish on the nails that you have picked up for the watercolor painting. Once the watercolor has completely dried up, apply a thick topcoat real fast. Also, don’t press too hard on the nails with the brush while applying the top coat. Again, you get the liberty to choose any color you want, so let the vibrancy flow in with all the bright hues.

Aztec Print Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The Aztec tribal print nails look immensely graceful and have been here for quite a while now. Choose the linear pattern well, and merge them properly with the colors. Start with the white or nude base, and then start dabbing cotton sponges on the main colors. Smear the nails with that, and let it dry for a few minutes. Then start drawing the lines in black, let the design have a natural flow, and shine brightly amidst the crowd. While some of you might also place glitters on the nails, they would also look good with a matte effect.

Zebra Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The zebra nails are the commonest of all the animal print nails that we can think of, of course, after the Cheetah prints. This zebra pattern has also become my personal favorite for its brilliant blend of white and black. We don’t need to explain this but start with the white base coat, let it dry well, and then place the black stripes in proper order. Make sure that the nails are kept big and shaped well for trying this particular shade. To be a bit experimental, you can also smear tinges of pink on the nail.

Newspaper Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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Now, you have the advantage of reading newspapers from your nails. Jokes apart, this design looks quite interesting where you start with a light coat of nude shade and let it dry. Then brush any rubbing alcohol over the nails, cut bits and pieces of newspapers, and press them against the nails. Once, when the impressions have started falling on the nails, carefully peel off the papers. Let the entire thing dry for few minutes, and yes, you are all set to rock the design.

Lacy Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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The baby pink and white lacy nail art designs have been quite the trend in recent years. The intricate and detailed fabric patterned designs have quite captured the fashion industry. Besides, if you are in short of time to hit the salon, use your nail painting skills or maybe the lace stamping nail art plate to make the lacy nails easily at home. They are great to go for weddings and look extremely graceful when done with ease and sophistication.

Half and Half Two-color Manicure

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pretty nail designs

It’s easy to create yet looks attractive. To start with the lime green and pink hues, here, the first two nails are painted with a lime green shade and the last two nails are smeared in light pink. While the middle figure is painted half green, and the rest half is done in pink to tie the two colors together. While this was one pattern, we also have a series of other patterns where all the nails are done in a half-half series, painted diagonally.

Sequin Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The shimmery and shining nails are easily spotted and due to their designs and the glossy surface. Yes, it’s easier to create sequin nails that look fascinating yet are fit to go for almost all the party wears. The golden sequins with purple, green, or silver sprinkles are the perfect ones to go for the party wears. These are a constant favorite amongst all the girls. You can also opt for the half-half sequin nails where one half is filled in pink while the other half is filled with glitters and shine.

Anime Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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The intricate and quirky Japanese nail art is quite an out-of-the-box nail design. Besides, anime nail art is the best way to show some love and support to your favorite Japanese animation show, and thereby, it is also the best way to flaunt it by rocking them on your nails. If you are on a stroll for some anime nail art, then get your favorite characters inscribed upon the nails. Get hooked on to your favourite artwork, and get the best of the designs.

Teensy-tiny Tips

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pretty nail designs

These nails have a particular French manicure, however, don’t look typically white. Besides, these nails also have a minimalistic approach that looks well with a pale base that has the thinnest stripes of a warm, rusty color at the tips. Simplicity is the key that steals the show, thereby get it done with the perfect glossy shine. The pastel shades are the coolest ones for the nails, so either select pale pink, or clear white to get the nails clear and shine.

Fade-out Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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Won’t you like your nails to resemble the petals of a flower? The main theme is to create gradient nails that work for the transition from basic to brilliant. Here, the colors placed on top of the nails have a darkened effect, let’s say similar to a lavender shade, while the rest part slowly fades out turning to the lighter hues, creating the perfect blend. The light and dark hues are placed in the best of manners, that gradually goes in an ascending manner.

Chevron Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The Chevron nails, also better known as the ‘Herringbone nails’, are a rare transient fingernail ridge pattern that is mostly seen in children. This one is a ridge rising from the proximal nail fold and converging in a V-shaped pattern that’s formed towards the midpoint distally. The base coat and the silver nail polish should be keptintact. Then on the tip, place the first ‘V’ in black and continue with the process. Make all the ‘V’s and cover them in polish and glitter.

Sunset Nails

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pretty nail designs
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The sunset nail art designs are the best if you are looking for favorable themes to color your summer. Think of the design where the tropical Paradise is dominated by the gradient orange color that looks more like a warm summer sunset. Besides, you can also think of the Sorbet Sunshine that’s dominated by the hues of pink and orange and looks more like a fresh punch, the most suitable beverage for summer. You can create any summer-based design, with prominent colors are black, orange, and blue.

Speckled Nail Art

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pretty nail designs
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You can also term this nail art as the festive wave that has a subtle art thing encircling with the contemporary nail style. The nails are smeared in various colors, and then various designs are tried to suit the blend. Let make sure that the blend that gets created is done good, and has the prominence of pastels like pink, and purple, or maybe a tinge of blue.

Conclusion

Finally, we are done with the list of pretty nail designs. Nails look good and attractive when we take care of them with uttermost sincerity. Now, that also includes gorging on healthy tit-bits, a proper skincare routine, and a lifestyle free from all the vices. Nails might look tiny but when done with uttermost care, sophistication, and style, they become the most attractive attribute that’s hard to ignore.

On that note, the list above acts as a savior in the true sense of the term, right? All the nail art forms named above look cool, sexy, and feel like you should try them right away. Well, if that’s the case, which was your favorite ones from the list? Rather, have you decided which would be the first one that you would love to try? Ponder over it well, collect all the essentials, and get the best of your nails. Also, you are welcome.