While gel manicures have gained considerable popularity, acrylics remain the OGs of the manicure world. Their enduring presence is a testament to their rock-solid durability and considerable versatility. So whether you're looking for extra length or just itching for a hit of nostalgia, know that acrylic nails are still a great option. Ahead, we've rounded up 55 cool acrylic nail ideas that will turn heads no matter the season or occasion.
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Full-Spectrum Nudes
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Who said nudes had to be boring? This gradient nude manicure has a lot going for it, from richly hued, glossy bases to matching matte tips. Tonal textures add so much depth to even the most neutral designs.
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Candy Hearts Set
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Let these candy heart tips do all the talking for you. Customize each nail with your own personal message for the ultimate bespoke manicure.
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Septum Piercing Statement
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Adding nail jewelry is an easy way to enhance your acrylic mani. This septum piercing tip brings a whole lot of edge to the silver-tipped French manicure.
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Bejeweled Acrylics
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These delicate pink acrylics are playful and fun. Rainbow bright jewels elevate the otherwise neutral set to statement heights.
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Tortoiseshell Set
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These tortoiseshell acrylics are inherently elegant and sophisticated with a hint of '90s sass. We can guarantee this set will garner endless compliments.
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Cow Print
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If you've yet to try your hand (er, fingers) at the cow print nail art trend, now's your chance. Lucky for you, when working with acrylic nails your manicurist will be able to create even more dots and spots to make a can't-miss style statement.
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Cherry Acrylic Nails
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All American and avant-garde, these acrylic nails are quite literally the cherry on top of a perfect mani. If you don't love the summery delight, consider swapping them for berries, coconuts, or your favorite citrus fruit.
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Rose Quartz
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Prefer slightly shorter, more neutral nails? These almond-shaped rose quartz nails will give you all the good vibes.
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A Regal Set
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We're loving the royal vibes of this milky mani. The hue is on the border of blue and purple, and we guarantee it'll look good no matter the season.
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Marbled Acrylic Nails
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Sometimes things really are as simple as black and white. Case in point: these gorgeous black-and-white marble acrylic nails.
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Barbie Pink Acrylic Nails
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If you're a Barbie girl in a Barbie world, you likely already have your manicurist on speed dial over these swoon-worthy, transparent pink acrylic nails. The jelly finish creates a see-through allure that simply can't be overlooked.
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Line Drawing Acrylic Nails
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We're in love with this simple acrylic nail design that mimics the elegance of a line drawing. Find some stencils you love, or go freehand if you're looking to work your artistic abilities.
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Starry-Eyed Acrylic Nails
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A star nail design is simple but fabulous, and it never goes out of style. That's just the case with these acrylics that have a way of fitting with any season.
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Multi-Colored Checkerboard Acrylic Nails
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We love this modern take on a French manicure, with a rainbow of primary colors in checkerboard patterns. You can mix and match both color and scale, creating some smaller squares and some larger, depending on the nail.
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Pink Ombré Acrylic Nails
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In case you missed it, pink ombré nails are a major fixture these days. If you want to test out the look, bring these acrylic beauties as inspo.
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Pride Acrylic Nails
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You don't have to wear these rainbow acrylics during Pride month to show off your spirit. Love is love all year round.
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Checkerboard Tips
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We're off to the races with this nail design, which looks as if you dipped each finger into a different shade of the checkerboard flag found at finish lines. A champion acrylic nail idea, indeed.
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Cloudy Day
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We don't know what we love more about this nail design: the rich blue shade, the fluffy clouds, or the star detailing interspersed throughout.
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Neon Tips
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Perfect for a summer pool day, these neon digits will make a head-turning statement.
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Pink Starburst Acrylic Nails
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Pretty in pink (hot, pastel, neon—you name it): Just consider this another take on the beloved Barbie nail look.
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Ballerina Pink Acrylic Nails
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Pink, almond-shaped, and slim—a simple everyday look that deserves all the recognition. Just be sure to file your edges to keep those lengths intact.
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Sunset Acrylic Nails
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The multi-hued ombré manicure has been incredibly popular as of late, and it's showing no sign of slowing down. To get in on the look while it's still topping the nail art charts, consider this acrylic sunset manicure as your inspiration.
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Butterfly Acrylic Nails
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Butterflies remind us of all things bella—Bella Hadid and a beautiful life, that is. If you're all about the fluttery, flirty look, consider trying this acrylic nail idea.
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Silver French Manicure
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A pale pink manicure with tips in shiny silver instead of the traditional French? Um, yes, please.
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Jade Acrylic Nails
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Why not embrace jade as a cheery neutral for your nails? These pale green acrylics make our crystal-loving hearts skip a beat.
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Short Acrylic Nails
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Need an acrylic design that leaves you able to do everything you could with bare nails? We totally get it. This design packs a watery punch onto a smaller canvas—what more could you want?
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Metallic Acrylic Nails
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Maybe it's just us, but these metallic, almond-shaped nails remind us of all things Sailor Moon. You too? You know what to do.
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Ruby Red Acrylic Nails
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Like a bold red lip, these bright red acrylics never go out of style. Pair with a stiletto shape for a showstopping finish.
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Colorful Chanel Acrylic Nails
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We love a designer moment as much as the next person. Mix a classic brand with modern neon and you have yourself a match made in nail heaven.
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Neutral Mismatched Acrylic Nails
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Here's another example of how the mismatched nail trend doesn't have to be bold to be noteworthy. With a neutral color palette and minimalist decorations, this manicure is simple and elegant.
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Wavy Acrylic Nails
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Two words: groovy, baby. Especially since these negative-space acrylic nails ensure that grow-out will be hard to notice.
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Mermaid Acrylic Nails
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We can't keep our eyes off this mermaid-inspired design, which goes above and beyond with silver glitter scales.
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Pink Tip Acrylic Nails
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Pink tips? Check. Holographic confetti? Check. Need we say more?
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Simple Butterfly Acrylic Nails
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These acrylic ballerina nails might look low-key and neutral, but two butterfly wings make the look a bit more bold without going overboard. The intricacy of these wings is almost as beautiful as butterflies themselves.
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Oxblood Sparkle
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Oxblood makes our autumn-loving hearts all warm and fuzzy. Luckily for us, the rich hue can be worn all year long, and it feels even more festive with some added bedazzling.
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White Flame Acrylic Nails
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We love the modern white take on a classic orange flame. Subtle and bold all at the same time, this white-hot acrylic nail idea can work all year round.
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3D Nails
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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 staring, and is great for Halloween or any season you want something more avant-garde.
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Bedazzled Acrylic Nails
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Solid nails are pretty and all, but when you add a few gemstones to the mix, you're left with a gorgeous manicure that's that much more stunning. The subtle butterflies and slightly mismatched shapes only add to the allure.
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Gold Foil Acrylic Nails
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White acrylics go from simple to ultra-luxe with tiny flecks of gold. We're dreaming about all the ways we can incorporate this must-try nail look into our going-out outfits.
Byrdie Tip
When recreating this look on your own, opt for gold flake appliqués (which stick to your nail polish and are set with top coat) instead of trying to hand-paint the details on your own.
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Jelly Acrylic Nails
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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're sure to fall in love with the unique nail look.
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Glossy and Matte Acrylic Nails
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Can't choose between a glossy or matte finish? You don't have to. With this acrylic nail idea, you can see how stunning the pairing can be.
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Faux Stiletto Acrylic Nails
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One of the best parts about acrylics is that you can achieve things that would be impossible with natural nails. Amidst a matte, dusty rose manicure, this design's clear accent nails achieve a unique look via internal flowers and gold foil.
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Neon Stiletto Acrylic Nails
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Why stop at one neon color when you can play with two? Here, neutral matte polish pairs with neon green and yellow hues for a nail look fit for a '90s-loving queen.
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Gemstone Acrylic Nails
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Keep your neutral manicure anything but boring by getting acrylic nails with iridescent tips and a base of gems. With a design like this, you just may have the best-accessorized hands in the house.
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Glow-in-the-Dark Acrylic Nails
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If you really want to make a statement, consider acrylics that glow in the dark. These look fairly normal during the day, but you'll be the life of your next party or night out when everyone sees the nails' true power.
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Flower Halo
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These taupey nails get a glow-up 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.
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Negative Space With Black and White
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Alternative swipes 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.
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Abstract Art-Inspired
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This artistic manicure sees each nail used as a different work of art. You could alternate stripes, swipes of color, or any pattern you see fit. The nail is your canvas.
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Sweater Nails
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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 whatever you choose for your tip.
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Puff Paint Abstract
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The puff paint trend of the 1990s is back—and this time, it's coming for your acrylics. Get the look by creating imperfect circles and shapes on top of the acrylic. Bonus points if you use different colors on every nail.
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Rainbow Tips With Clouds
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This bright and shiny look comes via rainbow tips. Nail stickers would be the easiest way to get the look and there are plenty of options. For an ombré take on the trend, we like Nails Mailed Over the Rainbow Euphoria Nails ($6).
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Neon Zebra Nails
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A punchy look like this requires hyper-saturated colors. Here, nails are layered in zebra stripes (the stripes are in the same color family as each base nail, so try something similar to replicate the mani).
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Rainbow Ombré
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These ombré acrylics go from lighter to darker shades. We love how each hand mirrors the other, but you could go for ten different hues, if you prefer.
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Punk Plaid
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This look puts a punk rock spin on prep with curvy punches of plaid on every nail. Lining the red-and-black plaid with yellow adds extra interest (as does matching the mani to your outfit).
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Skittle Nails
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Think of this manicure as almost an inverse of the French tip, where nearly the entire nail is coated in color, save for a small sliver at the base. Here, each nail gets a different coat of color for a candy-coated effect that's surprisingly grown-up.
