Some nail colors are classic. Red, pink, white—we regularly see these shades woven into everyday manicures. A hue that’s less common? Orange. As firm believers that every color of the rainbow can make for a stunning nail look, we set out to find a variety of unique (and easy to recreate) bright and sunny orange nail designs. Our first stop? Straight to the pros.
“A classic French or ombré orange nail is beautiful with a nude shade for contrast,” says Nailing Hollywood artist LaTara Haye. “Marble nails are another great option and can be mixed with many other colors. Then there are the seasonal orange nail looks, like citrus fruits.” But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Ahead, find 20 sunny orange nail looks to brighten up your spring mani.
Koi Fish Nails
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“This goldfish nail art by Nailing Hollywood artist Hang Nguyen incorporates a playful element that works perfectly with orange shades,” says nail artist Mazz Hanna, who is the CEO of Nailing Hollywood, an agency dedicated entirely to the nail industry. It might not, however, work well with DIY skills so do yourself a favor and book a mani appointment to bring this unique orange nail look to life.
Orange Squiggle French Tips
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French manicures look good in any color. To make an orange French manicure even more unique, opt for squiggle edges overlaid with teeny minty-blue flowers. Nail artist Dayanna I. Sapiens created this look using Gucci Glossy Nail Polish ($35) in the shades Peggy Sunburn, Dorothy Turquoise, Melinda Green, and Cecilia Ivory.
Vivid Tomato Orange Nails
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Certain shades of orange are so perfect, they deserve to steal the entire manicure spotlight. Case in point? This vivid tomato orange polish, AKA essie’s To DIY For Nail Lacquer ($10).
Pink and Orange Aura Nails
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Aura nails are incredibly popular in 2024 and can be crafted in any color, including orange. To DIY the look, start with a solid pink base, then use a sponge to dab some orange polish into the center of each nail. Finish with a top coat.
Jelly Orange Skittle Nails
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Jelly nails are especially popular during the warmer months of the year, making this jelly orange Skittle manicure a must-try. You can DIY the solid-hued mani with the Cirque Colors Nail Polish in the shades Citron, Saffron, Fufu, and Mango.
Pink and Orange Alternating Nails
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How fun is this color-block pink and orange manicure by Nguyen? You can recreate the look at home with striping tape and your favorite pink and orange polishes.
Jelly Pumpkin Nails
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Orange nail colors and jelly nails are two unexpected nail looks. Combine the two, and you have an instantly head-turning manicure. Create it at home with the Cirque Colors Nail Polish ($13) in the shades Hearth Jelly and Heart of Gold.
Groovy Swirl Nails
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’70s style remains a major inspiration here in 2024, so you might as well consider it for your nails, too. For this look, Sapiens used essie Sunshine Be Mine Nail Lacquer ($7), Nailtopia Jamaican Me Crazy Nail Polish (which is sold out), and Lights Lacquer Hide the Rum Nail Polish ($11).
Orange Daisy Nails
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Even if you don’t opt for a vivid orange nail color, your manicure can still look bright and cheery. Just look at this more subdued orange daisy mani. Cute, no? It was created using OPI Nail Lacquer ($12) in the shades Trading Paint, Alpine Snow, and Put it in Neutral.
Mango Cutout Cuticle Nails
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Instead of a French manicure, consider creating a cutout orange nail look by placing the arches at the cuticle. You can DIY this look at home with the Orly Half Moon Guides ($7). Simply stick them on at each cuticle and paint above the arch in the orange color of your choice. If you love this exact color of mango-y orange, Hanna says Nailing Hollywood artist Laura Malarkey used Gelish Soak-Off Gel Polish ($11) in the shade Let’s Do A Makeover. “If you don’t have a gel lamp at home, the lacquer equivalent to this gel polish is Let’s Do A Makeover by Morgan Taylor,” she adds.
Orange Jelly Confetti Nails
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A simple way to elevate any solid orange nail look? With a confetti topcoat.
Orange Evil Eye Nails
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No time for nail art but tired of solid nail looks? Opt for a single statement nail. “Adding an accent nail is a great way to spice up any solid color manicure and this eye nail art by Hang is the perfect option to add a subtle yet intriguing touch to your orange mani,” Hanna says. “The orange base for this manicure is CND B-day Candle ($16). It’s a gorgeous shade of orange that adds warmth to your overall look.”
Pink Shimmer Orange French Tips
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Here’s another example of how a fun top coat can elevate an orange nail look. Only, this mesmerizing French mani was actually created with a single polish—the Cirque Colors Brightside Do Good Polish ($17).
Orange Mismatch Gradient Nails
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For an ultra-bright orange nail look, consider combining the color with other hot red shades, as Nguyen did here. “Combining orange and red creates a fiery and energetic look—it’s a great color combo reminiscent of a warm summer sunset,” Hanna says. “This nail art look is easy to recreate at home—all you need is a few different shades of red and orange polishes and a nail art brush. If you need help creating clean lines, I recommend using striping tape as a guide.”
Red and Orange Ombré Shimmer Nails
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Ombré nails are fun with orange shades because they create an instantly scorching end look. To create a flawless ombré nail look at home, paint a sponge with the polish colors of your choice in horizontal lines. Then, dab the sponge onto your nails until you achieve the desired coverage, and finish with a top coat to smooth out the fade.
Sheer Pink and Orange Bullseye Nails
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Orange and pink make for a vivid mod nail look that’s nothing short of bright and sunny. “Orange and pink is a vibrant and feminine combo ideal for sunny days and warmer weather,” Hanna says, referencing Nguyen’s bullseye mani. “It’s a combo that will truly make your nails stand out.”
Solid Spritz Nails
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As familiar as this bright orange polish might feel, it’s actually a different shade that leads more orange (as opposed to red) in tone. The shade is Sandy Lane by MiniLuxe, which is sadly sold out. The brand’s 90210 Polish ($14) is a close second, though.
Short Pale Peach Nails
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Bright orange doesn’t have to be bold orange. Sometimes you can accomplish a bright nail look by opting for softer pastel shades. (Just think about how bright nails look when they’re painted white or pastel lime.) “Pastel orange is a great option for those who want a subtle touch of color that is not too overpowering,” Hanna says. “It adds a hint of sunshine to your nails without going full blast.”
Spritz Aura Nails
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Love all the colors you saw above? Remember that aura nails can be crafted in any colors (most nail art can be). We’re particularly fond of this spritz-inspired nail look that has us dreaming of the Amalfi Coast.
