While baby blue reigns supreme for spring, summer is all about dark blue. Although the bold, saturated hue is a departure from the bright shades we usually associate with the sunny season, think of it like dark-washed denim—a neutral of sorts that goes with anything.
Dark blue “is such a beautiful, cool tone, but still versatile,” says CND co-founder Jan Arnold. Nail artist Rachel Joseph adds that it can also “be a fun, playful color” for negative space designs and French manicures. “It makes for a nice bold statement,” says Joseph.
Meet the expert
- Jan Arnold is the co-founder and style director of the nail care brand Creative Nail Design (a.k.a. CND).
- Rachel Joseph is a celebrity nail artist who works in L.A. and NYC. Joseph’s clients include Kim Kardashian and Ayesha Curry.
To add contrast to a dark blue manicure, pair it with a “complementary deep orange to create a striking design,” suggests Arnold. It also looks stunning with blueberry milk, metallics, and other primary colors like cherry red.
Wanna go dark and daring with your next nail look? Ahead, explore 30 dark blue nail ideas ahead of your appointment.
Lapis Lazuli
This striking hand-painted design takes note from Lapis lazuli, a semi-precious gemstone that’s made of a mix of minerals.
Cocktail Hour
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We’re obsessed with this stunning look. It uses a navy so deep it leans purple to create these strong swirls for a beautifully balanced look.
Blueberry Accents
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By using a pale blue shade as the base for this blueberry design, the blue hue of the fruits is really able to pop.
Earthy Swirls
For a grounded look, pair dark blue with earthy shades like beige and mahogony.
Alternating Tips
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Lights Lacquer At Last is paired with a light green polish to create this look. Instead of creating tips with a bare base, the artist chose to use two opaque shades and alternate the tips and bases.
Matte Navy
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A matte polish can totally change the look of a mani. This look features matte navy nails with a single beige glossy nail as a contrasting accent.
Liquid Blue Marbles
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“I love this design because it looks like liquid, smooth marble, but also wave-inspired,” says Arnold. “The blues blend together beautifully with a pop of smoky white to really tie it all together.”
Accent Nails
Dark blue makes for a stunning accent color, especially when paired with brilliant gold chrome and bright-white French tips.
3D Florals
3D flowers are everythingggg this summer. Add one into your dark blue mani for a botanical twist.
Rich and Monochrome
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Lights Lacquer At Last is a gorgeous true navy blue. It’s a rich shade with depth thanks to subtle gray undertones. So even if you paint all your nails in this color, your mani will still have dimension.
Thick Swirls
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Swirls are often done on a nail base, but this trendy design is done on an opaque blue base, creating a fun monochromatic look.
Deep Cobalt
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This elegant shade of blue is a perfect medium between royal and navy blue. The hue gets a chance to shine, courtesy of longer, coffin-shaped nails.
Slim Lines
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Similar to the Paintbox look above, this design showcases how you can do the same minimalist line design on an opaque base instead of a natural nail.
Navy Chrome
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In case you haven’t, try giving chrome nails a go. Here, the artist combines navy nails with a chrome powder finish for a strikingly dark, yet reflective look.
Cat Eye Shimmer
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Cat eye polishes are so fun because each nail comes out a bit differently. This blue polish has tons of dimension and movement for extra pop.
Evil Eye
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This high-gloss design features two little evil eyes on each hand, creating a subtle yet impactful look with protective energy.
Feeling Blue
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Navy doesn’t have to be the star of your nail look. Let it play a supporting role by pairing it with a gradient of other blue hues. This look uses Lights Lacquer polish in the shades Secret Garden, At Last, Blue Moon, Cold Case, and Misfit Toys.
Fine Shimmer
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Shimmery polishes are a great way to get a dimensional look with very little effort. The shimmer in this deep blue shade makes it lighter depending on where the light hits it.
Matte Glitter
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Confuse the eyes by pairing usually reflective glitter with a matte top coat. This navy-and-white look was created with polishes from OPI.
Mixed Metals
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Accent a simple navy mani with a metallic pop. This look uses gold and silver accents that accentuate the shape of the nail bed.
Two-Tone Navy
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While this dark blue shade is stunning on its own, the addition of bright cobalt on the ring fingers adds a nice bit of interest.
Magnetic Florals
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Pair soft florals with edgy metallics to create this fun blue nail look. The polish has a ton of dimension and makes the nails look like a galaxy.
Iridescent Navy
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Painted with polish from Bees Knees Lacquer, this look has an iridescent quality that makes these navy nails appear to glow.
Glitter Topcoat
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A chunky glittery topcoat can make any nail look a bit more exciting. This design pairs a solid blue shade with a swirly silver accent nail.
Intergalactic
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Blue, purple, and black create a great base for this manicure. It’s topped with a fine glitter top coat and star decals for an intergalactic look.
Lightning Strike
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This cool look is reminiscent of bolts of lightning. It features white and gray polish over a deep navy base.
Celestial Accents
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Dark blue and gold will always be a stunning pairing. This design uses navy as the base and gold for celestial and astrological symbols.
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