The ombré look isn’t just popular for hair anymore—ombré nail designs are having a moment. Unlike other types of nail art that can feel overwhelming to execute and look a little too busy for some, an ombré mani is simple and seamless. What’s more is that you can easily add personal flair to create a totally customizable style.
If you want to have sparkle at your fingertips, get glitter ombré nails. You can also let the seasons inspire your manicure with a fall-curated color gradient. It also helps that ombré nails are an achieveable DIY look. All you need are two nail polish shades and a blending sponge. (For what it’s worth, this YouTube tutorial is pretty easy to follow.) But if you’re not confident doing your own mani, feel free to set up an appointment at the nail salon.
Below, we round up 15 of our favorite ombré nail designs to inspire you.
Neon Ombré
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Bright colors and shades are a sure way to turn heads. This look takes it a step forward by having abstract, gold embellishments on each nail. From an almost-clear base to super-saturated tips, this mani has us dreaming of warm weather days.
Aura Ombré
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Aura nails are their very own category of ombré nails. The design is categorized by the gradient starting in the middle and working its way out to a solid color. We love this soft purple and pink look because it has an other-worldly vibe.
Lavender Ombré
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The nude-to-lavender transition is both seamless and classic. Plus, thanks to the sheer base, the grow-out phase will be nearly invisible. While this is a great mani for spring, you could also wear it as a more subtle summer look.
Forest Ombré
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This is a perfect ombré nail design for earth signs. Your nails appear as lush as the woods up top and remain your natural color closer to the base. And since this look combines earth tones, it’ll go with any outfit.
Ombré Accent Nails
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If the ombré look is too much for you to have on every nail, keep it simple yet playful by adding a bright ombré accent nail. This watermelon-inspired design is a great way to dip your toes into the look. Plus, it’s perfect for summer.
Icy Ombré
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Embrace the chill of the winter or keep cool in the summer with this icy ombré manicure. Kick it up a notch with silver glitter specks on each nail. It might cost a bit more due to the intricacy, but it’ll be well worth it.
Glitter Ombré
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Glitter tips always look cool, and they look even more chic when designed as an ombré. The colorful glitter in this manicure looks like a party on your tips. We love that you can easily achieve this look at home—even if you’re not a nail artist.
Start by painting your base in whichever shade you like, then lightly dab glitter from the tip toward the nailbed. This way, the highest concentration of glitter stays on your tips and the remaining bit gently transfers into the rest of the nail.
Tie Dye Ombré
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Ombré doesn’t just have to go one way. For a unique take on the popular trend, try out this side-to-side design. We love that we don’t really know where the ombré starts and ends because the colors almost seem to melt into each other like tie-dye.
Black Ombré
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Black nail designs are equal parts edgy and classic. We love this look for two reasons. First, because it’s black and white, it’ll complement any outfit. Second, the attention to detail is immaculate—did you see the gray French tip?
Gradient Ombré
@melanated.mani/Instagram
We love a color-blocked manicure, and this ombré-inspired twist is another great way to create a DIY look. All you’ll need is five different polishes that look like they could melt into each other. Copy this exact look or change it up to match your favorite colors.
Red Ombré
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Take a step up from the classic red manicure to this two-toned look. It mixes bright red with a darker, moodier shade for a fierce combo. It’s also got a slightly sweet essence, considering it’s reminiscent of plump berries.
Rainbow Ombré
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This rainbow pastel ombré manicure screams spring, but it also works for any season. Play around with light and dark shades of the rainbow and have fun with it.
Ombré French Tips
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This roundup wouldn’t be complete without an ombré take on the classic French manicure. Sleek and classy, this milky look is one you’ll want to repeat again and again.
Polka Dot Ombré
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This is one of the most versatile ombré nail designs on this list. Since you can easily change the color of the dots, you can customize it to whichever outfit or season you’d like. We like this blue color for winter, earth tones for fall, pastels for spring, louder colors like red and orange for summer.
Though this design may seem like a simple DIY, it may take a bit more care (and tools!) than you realize. It may be best to sit down with your manicurist first and observe how they work.
Pastel Ombré
@lauradidmynails/Instagram
Since we started this list with neon ombré nails, it’s only fitting that we round it out with pastel ombré nails. Since they’re bright and playful, they’re perfect for spring or summer. Though they’re not as bright as their neon counterparts, these still make a statement.
