While gel manicures have gained considerable popularity, acrylic manicures remain the originals of the manicure world. Its long-lasting presence is testament to its solid durability and considerable versatility. So whether you’re looking for more length or just in the mood for a little nostalgia, know that acrylic nails are still a great option. Below, we’ve rounded up 55 cool acrylic nail ideas that will turn heads no matter the season or occasion.
Full Spectrum Nudes
Who said nudes had to be boring? This nude gradient manicure has a lot to offer, from shimmery, rich-toned bases to matching matte tips. Tonal textures add a lot of depth to even the most neutral designs.
Candy hearts set
Let these candy heart tips do the talking for you. Personalize each nail with your own personal message for the ultimate personalized manicure.
Septum Piercing Statement
Adding nail jewelry is an easy way to enhance your acrylic manicure. This septum piercing tip brings a lot of advantage to the silver tip French manicure.
Jeweled acrylics
These delicate pink acrylics are fun and playful. Sparkling rainbow jewels elevate the otherwise neutral ensemble to eye-catching heights.
tortoiseshell set
These tortoiseshell acrylics are inherently elegant and sophisticated with a touch of ’90s sass. We can guarantee that this set will receive endless compliments.
cow print
If you have yet to try your hand (i.e. fingers) with the cow print nail art trend, now is your chance. Lucky for you, when working with acrylic nails your manicurist will be able to create even more dots and smudges to make a style statement you can’t miss.
Cherry Acrylic Nails
Totally American and avant-garde, these acrylic nails are literally the cherry on top of a perfect manicure. If you don’t love this summer treat, consider swapping them for berries, coconuts, or your favorite citrus fruit.
Pink quartz
Do you prefer nails that are a little shorter and more neutral? These almond-shaped rose quartz nails will give you all the good vibes.
A royal set
We love the royal vibes of this milky mani. The shade is borderline blue and purple, and we guarantee it will look good no matter the season.
Marble Acrylic Nails
Sometimes things really are as simple as black and white. Case in point: these gorgeous black and white marble acrylic nails.
Barbie Pink Acrylic Nails
If you’re a Barbie girl in a Barbie world, you probably already have your manicurist on speed dial about these swoon-worthy sheer pink acrylic nails. The gelatinous finish creates a sheer appeal that simply cannot be overlooked.
Line Drawing of Acrylic Nails
We’re in love with this simple acrylic nail design that mimics the elegance of a line drawing. Find some templates you like or do it freehand if you’re looking to develop your artistic skills.
Starry Eyes Acrylic Nails
A star nail design is simple but fabulous and never goes out of style. That is the case of these acrylics that adapt to any time of the year.
Multicolored Checkerboard Acrylic Nails
We love this modern take on the French manicure, featuring a rainbow of primary colors in checkerboard patterns. You can mix and match color and scale, creating some smaller squares and some larger ones, depending on the nail.
Pink Ombré Acrylic Nails
In case you missed it, pink ombré nails are a big thing these days. If you want to try the look, bring these acrylic beauties as inspiration.
Pride Acrylic Nails
You don’t have to wear these rainbow acrylics during Pride month to show your spirit. Love is love all year round.
Chessboard Tips
We’re off to the races with this nail design, which looks like you dipped each finger in a different shade of the checkerboard flag found at the finish lines. In fact, a great idea for acrylic nails.
Cloudy day
We don’t know what we like more about this nail design: the rich blue hue, the fluffy clouds, or the interspersed star details.
neon tips
Perfect for a summer day at the pool, these neon digits will turn heads.
Pink Starburst Acrylic Nails
Pretty in pink (hot, pastel, neon, whatever): Consider this another version of Barbie’s beloved nail look.
Ballerina Pink Acrylic Nails
Pink, almond-shaped and slim: a simple everyday look that deserves all the recognition. Just be sure to file the edges to keep those lengths intact.
Sunset Acrylic Nails
The multi-toned ombré manicure has been incredibly popular lately and shows no signs of slowing down. To get in on the look while still topping nail art charts, consider this sunset acrylic manicure as your inspiration.
Butterfly Acrylic Nails
Butterflies remind us of everything related to beauty: Bella Hadid and a beautiful life, of course. If you’re into the bright and flirty look, consider trying this acrylic nail idea.
Silver French manicure.
A pale pink manicure with shiny silver tips instead of the traditional French one? Mmm, yes, please.
Jade Acrylic Nails
Why not adopt jade as a cheerful neutral for your nails? These pale green acrylics make our glass-loving hearts skip a beat.
Short Acrylic Nails
Do you need an acrylic design that allows you to do everything you can with bare nails? We totally understand it. This design has a watery touch on a smaller canvas. What more could you want?
Metallic Acrylic Nails
Maybe it’s just us, but these almond-shaped metallic nails remind us of all things Sailor Moon. You too? You know what to do.
Ruby Red Acrylic Nails
Like a deep red lip, these bright red acrylics never go out of style. Pair it with a stiletto shape for a dramatic finish.
Chanel Colorful Acrylic Nails
We love a designer moment as much as the next person. Mix a classic brand with a modern neon and you’ve got a nail-perfect combination.
Mismatched Neutral Acrylic Nails
Here’s another example of how the mismatched nail trend doesn’t have to be bold to turn heads. With a neutral color palette and minimalist decorations, this manicure is simple and elegant.
Wavy Acrylic Nails
Two words: wonderful, baby. Especially since these negative space acrylic nails ensure that growth is hard to notice.
Mermaid Acrylic Nails
We can’t take our eyes off this mermaid-inspired design, which goes above and beyond with glittery silver scales.
Pink Tip Acrylic Nails
Pink advice? Check. Holographic confetti? Check. Do we need to say more?
Simple Butterfly Acrylic Nails
These acrylic ballerina nails may seem understated and neutral, but two butterfly wings make the look a little bolder without going overboard. The complexity of these wings is almost as beautiful as the butterflies themselves.
Oxblood Glitter
Ox blood makes our fall-loving hearts feel warm and fuzzy. Luckily for us, this rich shade can be worn year-round and feels even more festive with a little extra sparkle.
White Flame Acrylic Nails
We love the modern white version of a classic orange flame. Subtle and bold at the same time, this sizzling acrylic nail idea can work all year round.
3D Nails
If you feel like you’ve tried everything under the sun when it comes to acrylic nail art, it’s time to take things to another dimension. The bubble texture and deep iridescence will have everyone’s heads turning, and it’s great for Halloween or any season when you want something more edgy.
Dazzled Acrylic Nails
Solid nails are pretty and all, but when you add some gemstones to the mix, you get a gorgeous manicure that’s that much more stunning. Subtle butterflies and slightly uneven shapes only add to the appeal.
Gold Foil Acrylic Nails
White acrylics range from simple to ultra-luxurious with tiny gold flecks. We’re dreaming of all the ways we can incorporate this must-have nail look into our going out outfits.
When recreating this look on your own, opt for gold flake applications (which adhere to nail polish and set with top coat) rather than trying to hand-paint the details yourself.
Jelly Acrylic Nails
While these acrylics are longer than long, the idea remains the same: you simply can’t go wrong with the jelly nail art trend. Whether you wear it in a coffin, square, almond or squoval shape, you are sure to fall in love with the unique look of the nails.
Glossy and matte acrylic nails
Can’t choose between a glossy or matte finish? There’s no need. With this acrylic nail idea, you can see how impressive the combination can be.
Faux Stiletto Acrylic Nails
One of the best parts about acrylics is that you can achieve things that would be impossible with natural nails. Amidst a dusty, matte pink manicure, this design’s clear accent nails achieve a unique look through inner flowers and gold foil.
Neon Stiletto Acrylic Nails
Why limit yourself to one neon color when you can play with two? Here, neutral matte polish is paired with neon green and yellow hues for a nail look worthy of a ’90s-loving queen.
Gemstone Acrylic Nails
Keep your neutral manicure anything but boring with acrylic nails with iridescent tips and a gem base. With a design like this, you might have your hands on the best accessories in the house.
Glow in the dark acrylic nails
If you really want to turn heads, consider glow-in-the-dark acrylics. These look pretty normal during the day, but you’ll be the life of your next party or night out when everyone sees the true power of nails.
Flower halo
These taupe nails shine courtesy of a halo of flowers around the outer edge. Replicate the look with nail stickers like the ones that come with Pleasing’s The Whole Dewniverse Polish ($20), which were used to create this look.
Negative space with black and white
Alternating touches of black and white polish look chic when paired with otherwise bare nails. We love how the shape of the nail here is rounded to mimic the abstract designs.
Inspired by abstract art
In this artistic manicure, each nail used is a different work of art. You can alternate stripes, pops of color or any pattern you see fit. The nail is your canvas.
Sweater Nails
These sweater nails keep all the fun relegated to the tip, but instead of a standard French manicure, it’s a cozy take on the trend. Recreate the look with nail stickers in a color that matches the color you choose for your tip.
Abstract puff painting
The puff painting trend of the 1990s is back, and this time it’s coming for acrylics. Get the look by creating circles and imperfect shapes on top of the acrylic. Bonus points if you use different colors on each nail.
Rainbow tips with clouds
This bright and shiny look is achieved through rainbow tips. Nail stickers would be the easiest way to achieve that look and there are many options. For an ombré take on the trend, we like Nails Mailed Over the Rainbow Euphoria Nails ($6).
Neon Zebra Nails
A striking look like this requires hypersaturated colors. Here, the nails are layered with zebra stripes (the stripes are in the same color family as each base nail, so try something similar to replicate the mani).
rainbow shadow
These ombré acrylics range from lighter to darker shades. We love how each hand reflects the other, but if you prefer, you can opt for ten different shades.
punk paintings
This look adds a punk rock touch to the prep with curved checkered accents on each nail. Lining the red and black box with yellow adds extra interest (as does matching the manicure to your outfit).
bolo nails
Think of this manicure as almost a reverse of the French tip, where almost the entire nail is covered in color except for a small strip at the base. Here, each nail gets a different color coat for a candy coat effect that’s surprisingly grown-up.
