Goodbye, nude pink. It’s time for a change. After looking at the latest trends, blue is the new neutral. With so many shades and tones to choose from, including ombre blue, blue is timeless, and you can go with any color that works for every occasion. But blue nail designs go beyond subtle. Glitter can add some sparkle to blue nail designs. If you want to make a statement, electric blue shades bring the energy to any new manicure. Negative space designs can look modern. For a classic French look, a light blue micro French manicure is the ultimate chic. The options are endless.
From bold abstract designs and chrome finishes to solid shades and micro French tips, there’s a blue manicure for every style and occasion. Here are 15 blue nail ideas to suit every taste – whether subtle or bold – so you’ll be feeling blue-tiful with the next set of nails.
Blue Nail Inspiration
Blue nail inspiration can be found in the most unexpected places, from the sky to the ocean. Blue is the color of calm and tranquility, so it’s perfect for those looking to add some serenity to their nail art. For a one-of-a-kind look, try pairing blue with orange or yellow. This combo will make heads turn.
You can also try different shades of blue. Light blue and baby blue are soft and delicate for everyday wear, while deep blue is sophisticated and elegant. Whether you want to make a statement or add a subtle touch, the options are endless. From pastel blues that are spring fresh to rich, deep blues that are midnight sky blue, there’s a blue for every mood and occasion.
Looking for nail inspiration? Look no further than the world around you. Nature, art, and even fashion can provide endless ideas for your next blue manicure. Whether you’re inspired by the cool tones of winter or the vibrant colors of summer, blue nails are a blank canvas for your creativity.
1. Blue Micro French Tips
A modern take on the classic French manicure, blue micro French tips are a subtle yet stylish nod to the original. The light blue tips are like a clear sky, an airy and refreshing look that’s chic and effortless. Perfect for those who want a minimalist yet polished look, they’re great for everyday wear and special occasions. For a gradient look, try adding an ombre to the blue micro French tips.
What makes this style so great is that you can customize the blue to your personal taste or the season. For a soft, understated look, go for a pastel or powder blue. If you want to be bold, go for a deeper navy or even a metallic blue to add some glamour. The slim tips provide just the right amount of color without overwhelming the whole nail, keeping the overall look clean and chic.
Beyond their versatility, blue micro French tips are a sophisticated and elegant way to add a pop of color to your manicure. Whether you pair them with a neutral base for a soft contrast or with a high-gloss finish for a more dramatic effect, these nails will elevate any look. For an extra touch, try subtle nail art or glitter on one accent nail, which looks great with micro French tips and keeps the overall look fresh and modern.
2. Cotton Candy Blue
This soft, fluffy blue is the perfect match for Barbie’s pink, so it’s a must-have for summer nails. Cotton Candy Blue is light and bright, a refreshing and playful look for summer vibes. The pastel color is sweet and whimsical, adding a fun touch to any manicure, summer skies, and carnival treats.
Cotton Candy Blue is fun and versatile, whether worn on its own for a clean and polished look or with playful nail art like clouds, stars, or ombre. It’s light and airy, perfect for outdoor events, beach days, or just adding a pop of color to everyday outfits. It’s a youthful and chic shade that captures the feeling of summer in one swipe. For a little extra glamour, try a glossy topcoat or a hint of glitter to make those cotton candy nails shine even brighter in the sun.
3. Minimalist Evil Eye
This subtle evil eye design is for those who want to ward off bad vibes in a chic and low-key way. The minimalist take on the classic symbol combines spirituality with style; it’s modern and versatile. With its simple yet striking look, the Evil Eye adds just the right amount of edge without overwhelming the overall look, perfect for casual and formal occasions.
One of the best things about this design is how easy it is to do at home. There is no need for a salon visit—this look can be achieved with a steady hand and a few simple tools. Start with a neutral or light blue base and use a fine-tipped brush or nail art pen to carefully draw the tiny evil eye on one or more nails. The negative space around the evil eye design makes it look clean and polished, with just enough flair to stand out but not too bold.
For a little extra flair, try playing around with different color combinations or adding some shimmer to the eye design. Whether simple or embellished with small details, this DIY nail art is the perfect way to keep your style fresh and full of energy.
4. Blue with White Flowers
There’s something so charming about light blue nails with white flowers. This little floral design is a fresh and whimsical addition to any manicure. It’s the perfect balance of playful and elegant. The soft blue base is a dreamy backdrop for the white-painted daisies, a feminine and classic look. Paired with silver jewelry, this manicure will elevate any outfit and make it look effortless and polished.
The design is simple, so it’s versatile—perfect for brunch with friends, a summer wedding, or just a casual day out. It’s a way to add a little fun to your nails without going overboard. For those who want to take it up a notch, try adding a little glitter in the center of the flower or a few rhinestones for a subtle sparkle.
5. Baby Blue French with Heart
Flirty, classic, and chic—this baby blue French tip manicure with a heart design is the triple threat. French tips are timeless for anyone who wants a refined and elegant look, but the light blue is a modern twist. The heart design is playful but still sophisticated. It’s a fun and subtle way to show off your personality for those who like to mix tradition with a flirty edge.
The baby blue is soft and sweet, a fresh take on the classic French manicure. The heart, whether on one nail as an accent or on each nail, is whimsical, romantic, and youthful. This design can go from day to night, perfect for casual hangouts, date nights, or special occasions where a little extra charm is needed.
Whether you keep the heart simple or add a small embellishment for some sparkle, this design has the best of everything—classic elegance, a pop of color, and an adorable detail.
6. Blue Checkered Design
This blue checkered design gives off Queen’s Gambit vibes. It’s a bold and artistic take on a classic pattern. The negative space gives it a modern and minimalistic twist and turns your nails into a piece of art. This design is the perfect balance of eye-catching and sophisticated, playful and refined, and fresh and on-trend.
One of the best things about this design is that you can make it your own. By changing the shades of blue—from pastel to bold and electric—you can customize the look to suit you and your mood. Whether it’s a soft baby blue with white or a bold navy and sky blue combination, the possibilities are endless.
This design is versatile for any occasion and adds a bit of creativity and flair to your nails. Whether you do a full set of checkered nails or just accent a few fingers, the blue checkered pattern is perfect for making a chic statement.
7. Color-Blocked Blues
Minimalist and artsy, this design brings a fresh take to negative space nail art with a sleek, modern approach. The color-blocked look is simple and creative, with alternating blues on a nude base. It’s perfect for those who want a subtle statement. Each blue stands out against the neutral background for a clean and sophisticated look that’s modern and versatile.
The beauty of this design is in its versatility. You can mix and match with any blue tones you like, from pastel to navy, to customize it to your mood or style. This design has endless possibilities, whether you stick to monochromatic shades for a sleek look or experiment with different blues for a more playful effect.
8. Blue Moon Glitter
For those who are drawn to the mermaid-core trend but not ready to commit to a full wardrobe overhaul, Blue Moon Glitter nails are the answer. This shimmering ocean-inspired color brings a touch of fantasy and magic to your manicure and gives you the moonlit waves effect. The glittery blue reflects the light beautifully and gives an enchanting, playful, elegant underwater vibe.
This design lets you dip your toe into the trend with just the right amount of sparkle, perfect for adding a bit of glamour without going all out. Whether you’re dressing up for a special occasion or just want to feel a little extra magical on a regular day, Blue Moon Glitter nails will give you that extra bit of whimsy. Pair them with a metallic accent or subtle seashell design to a fully mermaid-core-ify—no wardrobe overhaul required!
9. Dark Blue and Gold Midnight Sky
For all the ACOTAR fans, this starry night manicure is the perfect tribute to the city of Velaris. The deep, rich, dark blue is the backdrop, and the midnight sky and shimmering gold stars and accents bring the night to life. The combination of these colors gives a dreamy, magical look, like gazing up at the night sky in the Court of Dreams.
Whether you’re channeling your inner Feyre or love the mystique of a starry night, this set has got you covered. The dark blue provides an elegant, moody base, and the gold adds a touch of sparkle and glamour, making the design bold and enchanting. For extra flair, consider adding moon or constellation details to bring the night sky to life.
This dark blue and gold combo is suitable for any occasion and adds a bit of fantasy and sophistication. It’s the perfect manicure for those who want to bring a bit of magic into their everyday lives—Velaris-inspired or not.
10. Blue Leaves
Plant lovers, it’s your time to shine! This leafy nail design is a creative way to express your style, using blues to give a fresh artistic twist to botanical nails. The unique touch here is how the same color palette is used differently on each hand for a dynamic look that’s cohesive and visually interesting. The blue leaves are delicate and calming but bold and on-trend.
The leaves are the main attraction here, but the fun part is that you can customize them to your style. Take inspiration from this look and swap out the leaves for something that’s more you—floral patterns, abstract shapes, or another nature-inspired design. This style is versatile, so if you love to play with nail art but want to stay within a natural vibe, this is the perfect option.
11. Ultramarine Blue
Ultramarine blue is the power color for your nails. It’s a vibrant pop that will elevate any outfit. Bold and electric, this color stands out on its own without needing any extra design. The rich, saturated tone gives a high-energy, confident vibe that demands attention, perfect for those who want to make a statement with minimal effort.
This color is versatile enough to work with casual and formal looks and fits any occasion. Whether you’re wearing it with jeans or pairing it with an evening outfit, ultramarine blue adds a dash of daring sophistication to your overall style.
12. Alternating Blue Hues
Remember the fun of mixing and matching nail colors as a kid? Alternating blue hues bring that back with a grown-up twist. If you can’t choose just one blue, why not use them all? This color block design allows you to show off all your favorite blues at once and have fun with it.
From soft pastels to bold navy, this design gives each nail a moment to shine while still looking cohesive and polished. The beauty of alternating hues is its versatility. You can go for a subtle gradient effect or bold contrasting colors for a more dramatic look. This design is perfect for those who love to play with color and want to make a statement without the need for intricate designs. Fun, stylish, and full of personality, alternating blue hues is a fresh take on a childhood favorite.
13. Minimalist Blue Swirls
Minimalist blue swirls are the perfect way to add a bit of whimsy to your nails while keeping them chic and simple. This design is super versatile, so you can customize it to your style. Different blues—soft pastels to deep navy—can be used to create delicate lines that swirl across your nails. Pair with a base color that matches your vibe, a classic nude, white, or even a bold neon orange, for a fun pop of color.
The beauty of swirls is in their simplicity, yet they still make a statement. Whether you want something subtle or bold, this design can be mixed and matched in so many ways to fit any mood or occasion. It’s a fresh, modern take on nail art that feels easy and cool while letting you have fun.
14. Cool Blue Outline
For those who want a minimalist yet statement look, the Cool Blue Outline design is the perfect balance of subtle and unique. This less-is-more style features a clean, thin blue outline around the edges of the nails; the rest of the nails are bare or in a soft, neutral shade. It’s an easy, cool design that gives off a sleek, modern vibe, perfect for the cool girl.
Whether you show this to a manicurist or try it at home, this design is perfect for those who want something subtle with a twist. The blue outline adds just the right amount of color and style without overpowering the overall look.
15. Marbled Deep Blue
For all you coffee lovers, Marbled Deep Blue nails are the perfect combination of rich and luxurious, like freshly poured espresso with a blue twist. This design features swirling patterns of deep, dark blue to create a bold and sophisticated marbled effect. The design mimics the movement and depth of espresso in a cup, adding a bit of artistry to your manicure.
The dark blues give this look a sophisticated and refined vibe, while the marbled effect keeps it fun and quirky. Perfect for those who want a statement nail that’s still polished and wearable, this design will stand out. Whether it is neutral outfits or bold accessories, Marbled Deep Blue Nails are a fresh take on deep, rich colors—perfect for coffee lovers or anyone who wants a bit more drama in their nail game.