75 of the Ultimate Acrylic Nail Designs You’ll Want to Try Out
Main Image – @skipthefilteruk/instagram
With *so* many designs, colours, shapes, and styles to choose from, acrylic nails have become a powerful medium for us to showcase our personality and make a bold statement with our fingertips, as well as a form of self-care and therapy.
From sophisticated and timeless classics to avant-garde, and boundary-pushing designs to embellishments, we’ve curated a list of the 75 best acrylic nail designs that are not only setting trends but those that have also become iconic in the realm of nail art.
Whether you’re a seasoned nail aficionado or someone looking for some inspiration to elevate your mani, join us on a journey through the mesmerising world of acrylic nails.
And, while we’ve included nails that haven’t been created using acrylic, you can ask your nail tech or salon for the same designs in whatever finish you prefer – whether it’s BIAB, gels, acrylic, or old school polish.
So, let’s get to it!
The 75 best acrylic nail designs
By colour
1. Milky matte white acrylic nails
Image – @nonadoesnails/instagram
Starting it off plain and simple, these matte nude nails are the perfect nod to the clean girl aesthetic trend.
2. Black French tip acrylic nails
Image – @amistreets/instagram
Black French tips are going to be BIG this year, and single gems are also an upcoming trend we have been seeing all over our feeds.
3. Traditional French tip nails
Image – @corrinnabianca/instagram
You can’t beat a classic French tip manicure! You can use a nude base for this look, or a pink tone like the set above!
4. Clear acrylic nails with cute confetti
Image – @dais_does_nails/instagram
Clear acrylic nails had a bit of a moment last year, but adding some cute confetti is the perfect way to elevate the look.
5. Toffee beige acrylic nails with a chrome finish
Image – @corrinnabianca/instagram
Spring is upon us (yay!) and these toffee nude chrome nails will take you right through to summer.
6. Barbie pink acrylic nails
Image – @clairestarkmanicurist/instagram
If Margot Robbie is still wearing Barbie pink at 2024’s Golden Globe Awards, then we’re still wearing Barbie pink.
7. Hot pink holographic French tip acrylic nails
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
Combining two trends from 2023, hot pink with a holographic finish is set to be huge. Want to know how to do holographic nails at home? Take a look at our step-by-step tutorial!
8. Red French tip acrylic nails
Image – @corrinnabianca/instagram
Update your Frenchies this year by painting the tips in a bold colour.
9. Glossy dark red short acrylic nails
Image – @put.it.in.nudetral/instagram
This shade was everywhere late last year, with the likes of Julia Garner sporting a very similar colour paired with Gucci at the LACMA Art+Film Gala. Perfect for autumn and winter.
10. Brown tortoiseshell nails
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
An understated take on animal print, this is one of the chicest (and glossiest) manis in the roundup.
11. Red and light pink nude acrylic glazed nails
Image – @put.it.in.nudetral/instagram
Red nails never go out of style but, if you want to mix it up a bit, add some simple nail art like the hearts on this glazed set.
12. Yellow acrylic French tip nails
Image – @corrinnabianca/instagram
A bold French tip is always a statement.
13. Pink and orange ombre French tip nails
Image – @colourriotnails/instagram
Everyone still seems to be loving ombre nails, and this orange and pink set with silver details is a great update on the movement.
14. Pink and purple squiggle acrylic nails
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
They’re giving squishy sweet vibes.
15. Purple, pink, and blue inky acrylic nails
Image – @sadiejnails/instagram
SO pretty, this inky marble mash-up combines some of the most beautiful bold hues.
16. Green French tip acrylic nails with animal print cuffs
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
A seriously cool way to update the classic Frenchie.
17. Olive green 3D acrylic nails with chrome finish
Olive you.
18. Green cat eye acrylic nails
Image – @jessyoungnails/instagram
Forget chrome, holo, velvet, and glazed (ok, not really, they’re still everywhere), cat eye is the new nail finish in town.
19. Brown checkered nails with flowers
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
Brown doesn’t usually come to mind when checkerboard nails are mentioned, but we love this understated set with yellow and mustard hues and groovy 70s flowers.
20. Bright baby blue acrylic flower nails with gold confetti
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
A shade of nude is the perfect base for some bright nail art!
21. Royal blue croc print French tip acrylic nails
Image – @colourriotnails/instagram
Royal blue is synonymous with everything regal, but you can make the shade fun with some cool nail art like these croc French tips.
22. Modern art dark electric blue and white acrylic nails
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
This set is a work of modern art.
23. Dark blue chrome swirls acrylic nails
Image – @colourriotnails/instagram
This shimmery dark blue is stunning on its own, but paired with a milky background makes the perfect swirly nails.
24. Classic Hot Wheels flame acrylic nails
Image – @nailgalnat/instagram
This set is hotter than hell! We love the yellow, orange, and black on these nails, but the best thing about this design is that it looks great in SO many colours!
25. Black and grey aura nails
Image – @kouturenails/instagram
They’re giving Cardi B vibes.
26. Silver liquid metal chrome nails with pastel flowers
3D nails and liquid chrome that looks like metal are having a real moment and this set looks so cute with pastel flowers.
27. Gold glitter ombre tips and nude acrylic nails
Image – @hicarmelina/instagram
Add some sparkle to classic nude acrylics with gold glitter ombre tips.
28. Gold chrome acrylic French tip nails
Image – @aprilnails.etc/instagram
Not keen on glitter? Go with gold chrome for a classic look.
By design
29. French tip acrylic nails with 3D dot designs
3D nails are the mani of the moment, giving sooo many options for designs and charms.
30. Triple black French tip acrylic nails
Image – @nailgalnat/instagram
Up the ante on a Frenchie, and even a double Frenchie, with a tripe French mani!
31. Baby pink and blue chrome acrylic nails with stencil designs
Image – @blushnailartist/instagram
We are *slightly* obsessed with these airbrushed stencil designs on a shimmery pink, blue, and purple chrome base.
32. Chrome aura acrylic nails with nail art
Image – @colourriotnails/instagram
Bring in some good energy this year with aura nails! As seen on the likes of Vanessa Hudgens and Sydney Sweeney.
33. Spooky smokey skull acrylic nails
Image – @jark.nails/instagram
Welcome to the smokey nail movement. This set is perfect for Halloween but, if that’s not your thing, you smokey sets can also look super chic with the right designs.
34. Purple holographic mermaidcore acrylic nails
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
Mermaidcore was huge last year with the release of Disney’s live-action remake of The Little Mermaid starring Halle Bailey, and it shows no sign of slowing down. This is a slightly understated take on the trend, with a gorgeous shimmery purple holographic finish.
35. Whimsical magical mushroom acrylic nails
Image – @dais_does_nails/instagram
The most magical mushroom set with gems and twinkle stars. In love.
36. Long acrylic nails with French tip gems
Image – @nonadoesnails/instagram
The most indulgent looking mani? These nails are fit for a Queen.
37. Red acrylic nails with pink bows
Image – @nailsbytammy___/instagram
The classic pillar bow red with dainty bows and ribbons.
38. Monochrome swirl acrylic nails
Image – @nailsbytammy___/instagram
If you like to keep it simple when it comes to your acrylic nail designs, this monochrome set is the one for you.
39. Sheer nude nails and grey acrylic nails with silver art
Image – @blushnailartist/instagram
Mismatched nails are taking centre stage this year, making it super easy to match your mani with your outfit and show off some personality with fun designs. We love these silver details with bows and diamantes!
40. Pastel chrome acrylic nails with rainbow nail art
Image – @sadiejnails/instagram
Perfect for Pride, these nails brighten up our day!
41. Glitter ombre acrylic nails with tiny painted nail designs
Image – @jessyoungnails/instagram
We love an ombre nail here at LTG HQ, and the most recent take on the trend is ombre glitter.
42. Dark blue and purple acrylic nails with lightning strikes
Image – @jark.nails/instagram
Cloud nails were huge last year, and a new take on the trend involves lightning, skyscapes, moons, and sun.
43. Purple, blue, and gold night sky acrylic cloud nails
Image – @blushnailartist/instagram
But, if you’re still on the cloud nail trend, make it more dramatic with dark colours, gold, moons, and stars.
44. Silver glitter acrylic nails with pastel pink smiley faces
Image – @jessyoungnails/instagram
Smiley face nails are super easy to pull off with stickers and decals.
45. Nude and light green acrylic nails with smiley faces and flowers
Image – @jark.nails/instagram
The happiest summer smiley nail fingertips!
46. Pink and purple pastel ombre acrylic nails with yellow smiley faces
Image – @aprilnails.etc/instagram
Bright Barbie pink paired with lilac purple make an amazing canvas for bold smileys.
47. 90s flower power and peace doodle acrylic nails
Image – @thehangedit/instagram
I love everything about the 90s, and these cute mismatched designs on plain nails are the perfect nod to my fave era.
48. Red and black gothic acrylic nails with silver nail art
Image – @jark.nails/instagram
Vampy red and black are the perfect fit for the dramatic gothic nail movement. These look best on longer nails, IMO.
49. Multicoloured groovy swirl French tip acrylic nails
Image – @by_ezana/instagram
Swirls and pastels make a seriously groovy French manicure.
50. Powerpuff Girls 90s acrylic nails
Image – @naileditbychelsey/instagram
Which Powerpuff gal were you?!
51. Pink jelly acrylic nails with mismatched designs
Image – @jessyoungnails/instagram
Pink? Tick. Jelly? Tick. nail art? Tick. This mani incorporates 3 of the nail trends from last year to create a super girly look.
52. Unicorn chrome acrylic nails
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
The most shimmery unicorn nails!
53. Colour pink French tip acrylic nails
Image – @by_ezana/instagram
A super modern and simple look, this mani works with basically every colour combo.
54. Mismatched designs acrylic nails
Image – @thahangedit/instagram
Mismatched is probably the biggest nail trend at the moment, with loads of people using clashing colours, mix-and-match prints, and cool nail art.
55. Chrome and glitter sheer acrylic pink nails
Image – @katewilliams0n/instagram
The epitome of opulence, these chrome nails remind me of hard boiled sweets.
56. Sheer pink acrylic nails with bright pink chrome tips
Image – @gloss.surrey/instagram
Embrace elegance with these chic pink chrome French tip nails, a modern twist on a timeless classic
57. Pastel rainbow nails with intricate designs and silver details
Image – @blushnailartist/instagram
These mismatched stiletto croc nails are a work of art.
58. Mismatched neutral croc print acrylic nails
Image – @skipthefilteruk/instagram
Croc print looks seriously amazing applied on full nails, but we are loving this mismatched mani with neutral autumnal shades and mix and match croc prints.
59. Nude acrylic nails with cow print French tips
Image – @nailsbytammy___/instagram
The cutest little cow print Frenchies.
By length and shape
60. Short square blue and milky white wavy acrylic nails
Image – @put.it.in.nudetral/instagram
Who said you had to have long nails to have acrylics and nail art?! Not us! These short acrylics look pretty cute with wavy white and blue designs.
61. Long square nude acrylic nails with gems
Image – @kouturenails/instagram
Studs and gems are back this year, and they look amazing incorporated with the nude trend.
62. Matte milky white oval nails with bright 3D pink squiggles
Image – @jark.nails/instagram
Like the 3D nail trend but don’t want to wear all sorts of charms and shapes on your fingertips? These are an amazing nod to the viral movement.
63. Round ice cream pastel nails with feature nail design
Image – @thehangedit/instagram
These nails look so cute paired with bright Y2K jewellery.
64. Nude almond nails with large black stars
Image – @nailgalnat/instagram
Starry nights on bare nails. Perfectiom.
65. Purple stiletto acrylic nails with butterfly confetti tips
Image – @sadiejnails/instagram
Another huge trend is butterflies, bringing it back to Y2K when we added these insects to literally everything. What a time it was!
66. Glassy multicoloured coffin nails with 3D fruit charms
Image – @naileditbychelsey/instagram
How cute are these glassy nails with metal fruity charms?! Like wearing jewellery on your nails.
By season and holiday
6. Matte pastel Mini Egg spring acrylic nails
Image – @the_gelologist/instagram
Who doesn’t love Mini Eggs?! This set with dripping ‘chocolate’ looks good enough to eat.
68. Noughts and crosses mismatched Valentine’s manicure
Valentine’s nails don’t have to be romantic, but if you love hearts then this noughts and crosses set it perfect for you.
69. ‘By the pool’ summer holiday acrylic nail design
Image – @sadiejnails/instagram
Nothing says summer like sitting by the pool, and these acrylic nails will *literally* fit right in.
70. Neutral shades fall acrylic nails with gold details
Image – @skipthefilteruk/instagram
The classiest fall nails I’ve come across lately, and the gold details add a touch of opulence.
71. Fall short magic mushroom holiday nails
Perfect for autumn and the foraging season, mushrooms are going to be seen all over your social media feeds this year. Trust us.
72. Halloween mismatched matte French tip nails
Image – @gloss.surrey/instagram
We love how creative nail techs get when it comes to Halloween designs! And this mismatched set with glitter and sparkle stars is up there with the best of them.
73. Frozen winter acrylic nail design
Image – @jark.nails/instagram
Let it gooo, let it goooo. This bespoke mani is everything.
74. Minimalist Christmas glitter baubles acrylic nail design
Image – thehangedit/instagram
Brighten up your Christmas with these minimalist Christmas glitter bauble nails.
75. Disco ball silver glittery New Year’s Eve acrylic nails
Image – jark.nails/instagram
Nothing says New Year like glitter, silver, and disco balls. And these nails have it all.
The takeaway
From ombre to chrome, glitter to matte, and long to short, acrylic nails have something for everyone.
Which set will you be trying? Let us know!
Get Glowing!
