Mercury doesn’t have to be in retrograde for us to care about the stars! And the stars have aligned to give us the perfect manicure. Celestial nails are the super customizable, horoscope-approved way to take your mani to new, stratospheric heights. Discover the key to nailing this star-inspired look!
What are celestial nails?
The moon and stars have fascinated us for eons. We’ve gone from astrological maps to Starry Night to the Hubble Telescope and far beyond. Even now, my mom uses a little projector showcasing the Milky Way for her dogs at night. It’s fair to say, we all have a soft spot for the night sky. It only makes sense that it would appear in nail art, too.
Usually, these nails combine four-pointed stars and the crescent moon. These simple and classic shapes add a touch of star power to your look. Color choices vary, and your nails can lean dark and mysterious or bright and bold. The stars are easily customizable, whether you want a classic five-point or a more Art Deco burst of fine lines.
The four-pointed star is easy to accomplish in nail art, as it’s just one vertical and one horizontal line. This super-clean look can be left as simple as you like. Or, you can add more radial lines from the center for a shimmering effect. Generally, these looks will also incorporate a dotting tool to create the effect of more distant stars.
Your inclusion of the moon, constellations or even your star sign is all up to you!
The Rise of Zodiac Manicures
There’s a horoscope junkie in all of us, and there are nail looks to match thanks to all the inspiring star sign looks this year. Are you a Libra looking to embody balance and harmony? Or a Scorpio ready to embrace your intuition and passion?
These manicures are written in the stars and are a super simple way to take celestial nails to the next level.
Our Favorite Celestial Nails
1 / 13
Pointed Stars
These ultra-sharp stiletto nails perfectly complement this moody celestial mani. We love the wind-chime details hanging from the moon and stars to add more interest.
@alchemyxnails
2 / 13
Smoke and Stars
This mani uses a black smoke effect as a backdrop for gorgeously golden star details. The serpent addition is such a cool way to customize this look.
@alchemyxnails
3 / 13
Gatsby Glitter
This simple French tip design is upgraded with deep blue and silver stars.
@denvermanic(
4 / 13
Moon Witch
These crescent moon nails are the perfect night sky mani for anyone feeling a little witchy.
@mjramirez88(
5 / 13
She’s a Taurus
These gorgeous nail art designs are peak celestial, and we love how big and bold each one is in the white-on-black look.
@nails_of_la
6 / 13
Blue Aura
Aura nails have been all the rage all year long, and we’re obsessed with this celestial take on the trend.
@nailsbyxojess
7 / 13
North Star
The same placement of these silver stars creates a well-balanced and elegant look that embodies a refined light.
@nailsbyxojess
8 / 13
Stars Aligned
Similarly, these nails take on a clean and composed look by using the same star placement and a smoky aura design.
@nailsbyxojess
9 / 13
Daytime Stars
Swapping out your dark blue for a sky color takes the celestial vibes to the daytime, and we’re so here for it.
@rachelsuenails
10 / 13
Celestial Blush
Don’t be afraid to go for a blush or nude base coat to create your sea of stars! This final look takes celestial to clean girl.
@samrosenails
11 / 13
Touch of Sparkle
Using glitter or gold to create your celestial nails is a great way to pack in the shimmer and make an eye-catching final look.
@samrosenails
12 / 13
Sunset Stars
This amber gradient helps create a late-evening feeling, where you can just start to see the stars.
@samrosenails
13 / 13
Constellation Nails
These nails are a gorgeous combination of color gradients and thoughtful art, creating a final product that’s unique but still super wearable.
