Red nails are a bold classic, but pink nail designs can be the perfect choice for days (and weeks!) when you don’t want to go quite so dark. They can range from sheer ballet pink and cotton candy pink to fuchsia, magenta, and hot pink.
If you’re looking for a sheer, natural-looking pink mani, Nailing Hollywood CEO Mazz Hanna recommends reaching for Gelcare UV Gel Nail Polish ($20) in the shade Rosehip Oil. “It’s a stunning jelly pink that’s completely sheer,” she says. “It makes nails look healthy and has a plump and juicy effect on the nail.” If you prefer more coverage for your base, she suggests opting for the Gelcare UV Gel Nail Polish ($20) in the shade Rose BB Cream. “It’s one of the most beautiful sheer pinks I have ever seen,” she admits.
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For a more vivid pink, she suggests Gelcare UV Gel Nail Polish ($20) in the shade Jelly Rancher. “It’s a gorgeous fuchsia pink for those looking for a super fun pop of color,” she says. “Jelly Rancher is amazing because it works really well with any nail length or shape.” Craving more of a Malibu Barbie Pink? Nailing Hollywood manicurist Hang Nguyen loves CND Shellac ($16) in the shade Hot Pop Pink. “I love how pigmented Hot Pop Pink is,” she says. “This color is a real mood booster that will add a pop of brightness to your day.”
And that’s just the tip of the pink iceberg. As gorgeous as these nail colors look on their own, you can combine different shades of pink to create more dimensional manicures. To prove it, we rounded up 20 pink nail designs to copy in the weeks and months ahead. Take a peek below.
Dual-Finish Hot Pink French Mani
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Dual-finish French manicures are unique in that they feature one shade of pink in glossy and matte finishes, which creates instant intrigue. Nail artist Dayanna I. Sapiens created this hot pink French mani using Salon Perfect Nail Polish ($5) in the shades Wrapped Around My Pink-y and Tropicool Punch. You could also use a single nail polish and layer the bottom half with a matte top coat, while encasing the tip in glossy top coat.
Pink Aura Nails
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Aura manicures are one of the most popular nail trends of 2024—and they’re also incredibly easy to DIY. To recreate this nail look, start with a coat or two of the Gucci Glossy Nail Polish in the shade Valentine Fuchsia. Then, use a sponge to dab some of the Gucci Ellen Blush shade into the center of each nail. Finish with a top coat.
Pink and Red Squiggle French Tips
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How fun is this wavy, drippy French manicure Sapiens created? She used an ultra-thin nail art brush dipped in Salon Perfect Nail Polish ($5) in the shades Heart Strings and Wrapped Around My Pink-y to create the look.
Two-Tone Pink Glitter Nails
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This two-tone shimmery pink nail look is easier to DIY than you might think. Start with a pale pink base using Sally Hansen’s Miracle Gel Nail Polish ($11) in the shade Nostlachick. Then, use French manicure guides (like the Orly Half Moon Guides, $6) to section off different arches across each nail. Fill in below or above the stickers with the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Polish in the shade Beet Me at the Mall.
Pink and Red Mismatch Nails
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How adorable is this mismatch manicure? You can recreate it using one of Nguyen’s favorite pink polishes: Orly Breathable Treatment + Color ($11) in the shade Pep In Your Step. “It’s a bright peppy pink that will be sure to put a pep in your step,” she assures us. Meanwhile, to perfect the fine lines throughout the mani, you’ll need a nail art brush set like the Lights Lacquer Detail Brush Kit ($17).
Hot Pink Ombré Nails
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Craving an ombré fade fitting for springtime? While this one was created with a since discontinued shade-shifting thermal Do Good Nail Polish by Cirque Colors (La Vie en Rose is the specific shade), you can DIY the look by painting a light pink and dark pink polish horizontally on a sponge. Dab it on each nail and use a top coat to smooth it out.
Pink and Orange Target Nails
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For a more neon pink nail look, check out this artsy Target-inspired mani. Nguyen created it with a series of gel polishes.
Pink and Blue Mix-n-Match Nails
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We love the juxtaposition of Barbie pink against cobalt blue. If you’re not super skilled with intricately detailing your own nails, just take this picture to your local nail salon as a source of inspo.
Two-Tone, Daisy-Dotted French Mani
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How cheerful is this two-tone pink French mani with daisy accents? Sapiens created the sparkly florals using the Cirque Colors Rainbow Fish Rhinestones ($9).
Berry and Mauve Shimmer Swirl Nails
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For a more muted pink mani, opt for dustier hues, like mauve and berry. This negative space swirl nail look was created using Sally Hansen Color Therapy Nail Polish ($8) in the shades Thera-Tulip and Nothing to Wine About.
Pink, Red, and Magenta Venn Diagram Nails
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This abstract sheer pink manicure reminds us of a Venn diagram—while not the most exciting inspiration, the end look is undoubtedly chic. This is another Nguyen creation using sheer jelly polishes.
Pink Cherry Nails
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Considering red is one of the hottest colors of the year and cherries are a popular motif moving into spring 2024, this cheery rhinestone pink French mani is a must in our book. Sapiens created the cherries using Lights Lacquer Oui’d Nail Polish ($11) for the stems and the brand’s Gemstone Charms + Wax Pen Duo ($18) for the cherries.
Hot Pink Tortoiseshell Nails
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We love the gorgeous, glowing tortoiseshell accents on this hot pink mani. The pink used here is Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer ($16) in the shade Pink Is My Kink.
Hot Pink Strawberry Nails
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How adorable are these hot pink strawberry nails Nguyen created? When first teaching yourself how to create intricate nail art, make it easier on yourself with nail art pens, like the Madam Glam Art Pens ($11 each) in Green, Red, and White.
Metallic Magenta Floral Mani
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This metallic magenta manicure is too pretty not to recreate. To simplify the floral design, use a dotting tool to create five spaced-out magenta dots, dragging them together at the center. Then, dip the dotting tool in white polish to create the floral centers. As for the exact polish shades, nail artist Lauren (of @lolo.nailedit) used OPI Nail Lacquer ($13) in the shades Thistle Make You Bloom (for the flowers and magenta nails) & Bare My Soul (for the base).
Pink and Red Color Block Nails
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Nguyen created this crisp pink and red color block mani. To create such precise lines on your own, use French manicure stencils at the cuticles and nail striping tape down the center of each split nail. To avoid any peeling or smudging, wait to remove the tape until the nails have fully dried.
Pale Pink Aura Nails
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We love this super subtle pale pink aura manicure. The teeny hidden hearts make it even prettier.
Rose Quartz Nails
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Harness all the feel-good, loving vibes with a rose quartz manicure, like this one Hanna created. You can recreate the milky pink nail look using Dazzle Dry Nail Polish ($22) in the shade Alluring Charm. “It’s the perfect high-coverage pale pink with white undertones,” Hanna says.
Solid Pink Nails
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And remember: You can always opt for a solid pink mani. This one shows Nguyen’s beloved CND Hot Pop Pink in action.
