10 Stylish Blue Nails Ideas for Your Next Manicure

A stylish manicure makes it easy to match your nails to your outfit, so you’ll always look fabulous from head to toe. But if you’re ready to try something new, blue nails are the way to go. While there are plenty of plain blue nail polish options out there, you can also jazz them up with patterns or other features that make your nails stand out. We’ve compiled 10 ideas for trendy blue nail designs that are sure to make an impression at your next social gathering or formal event.

1) Floral Patterns

One way to make your blue nails stand out from others is by incorporating floral patterns into your design. A simple floral pattern, drawn using two different shades of blue can really add a touch of flair to your look. You can create a design like in the image below by using light and dark blue nail polish, but if you want something bolder you could paint half of each nail in dark blue and leave half unpainted. If you prefer, though, you could just paint one color over all of your nails; either way it’s a beautiful look that makes a great accent piece on nails painted completely in royal blue.

2) White Tips with Glitter

White nails are a classic French manicure, but adding glitter instantly elevates them. The more of your nail that’s covered in glitter, then, the classier and more glamorous they’ll look. White tips with big pieces of glitter have become popular recently because they create an eye-catching contrast against dark colors like blacks and reds. Just make sure you don’t use too much glitter—you want to be able to see your actual nail color. Other than that, these manicures are relatively easy to achieve if you know how to do a basic French manicure at home or can visit a salon regularly. It’s also important not to get these done too often as it can lead to breakage.

3) Polka Dots and Stripes

Polka dots and stripes are two of my favorite accent nail designs. They’re easy to create on your own, making them perfect choices if you don’t have a steady hand (like me). You can even create an ombré effect with these designs if you prefer a lighter look. If you want to make these at home, invest in a professional-quality nail art brush or toothpick to use as your dotting tool and design guides like circles or lines. They will help you recreate all of these looks with ease! The ultimate rule when creating blue nails ideas is to go bold—no matter what it is that inspires you to paint them blue. The sky’s the limit here!

4) Rainbow Colors

Though you may think blue is a bit too safe, there are ways to play up these nails while still keeping them work-appropriate. Start with a black base coat to give your nails an edgy finish, and add an accent color of royal blue on each nail. You can keep it simple with just one color or go bold by adding even more fun colors. The possibilities are endless! You could even opt for a chic French tip to complement your royal blue look. The sky is truly your limit when it comes to these playful nails!

5) Splatter Nails

Go bold with your nails and make a statement with splatter nails. You’ll need blue nail polish, white polish and clear polish (for a glossy finish). Start by painting your nails with one or two coats of white polish. For a messier effect, wait until it dries slightly before putting on a second coat. Once that coat is dry, apply clear topcoat—it will give you an even glossier look—and then use either small dots or lines to create little splatters across your nail bed. After everything is dry, add one last layer of clear topcoat to seal in everything and keep things from smudging or getting messy as you go about your day.

6) Bold Designs With French Tip

Every now and then you want to look like a million bucks, right? It’s true that if you need to make an impression, it helps to have fabulous nails. Invest in a great blue nail polish and you’ll have access to classy colors in an array of finishes. Try dark blue nail polish or royal blue nail polish if you want something bold but not too dramatic. Apply your favorite colors with a brush; don’t forget to apply clear coat so they can last longer! Once done, try using cute decals on top of your stylish blue French tip nails for an added touch. No matter what design or color scheme you choose, as long as it makes you feel good about yourself—it’s perfect!

7) Cute Rhinestones in Various Shapes

For something a little more subtle, why not look into nail rhinestones? They’re just as fun and colorful, but won’t be too loud or distracting. Rhinestones are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors; some mimic colored crystals while others might come in super simple stick-on designs. If you’re going to go with rhinestones, make sure they’re placed to complement your nail shape. Oval nails will work best with smaller rhinestones while almond shaped nails can pull off larger or bolder rhinestone designs. Regardless of what you choose, blue rhinestones work well on both light and dark nails.

8) Neon Colors

If you want to try a neon color, make sure your base color is just as vibrant. First, apply a coat of clear polish on all of your nails. This will help your neon color stay bright and prevent chipping from regular polish. Then take whatever shade you want and paint one nail at a time (not all ten! You don’t want to rush.) using different sized brushes to create an ombre effect, then repeat with another shade until you have reached your desired look. If you’re not in love with any of these shades, switch up blue acrylic nails or try different tips. Whichever style you choose will keep things fresh while adding some fun pizazz to your mani game!

9) Abstract Shapes on Stiletto Nails

Stiletto nails are super trendy right now—and for good reason. They’re long, pointed, and perfect for a night out. If you’re looking to add a little pizazz to your stiletto nails, try out abstract shapes like triangles or rectangles. Place these fun shapes on different nails in order to get an interesting composition on your hands. You can create these abstract shapes with acrylic paint or nail polish that is at least two coats thick. Feel free to play around with color as well: blue and purple are both great ways to add some pop!

10) Colorful French Tips on Short Nails

Short nails are ideal when it comes to French tips. French tips on short nails can be a simple way to add some glamour and color to your manicure. Apply base coat, then polish in a light color of your choice. Take another light colored nail polish and use a fine brush to paint stripes along each side of your nail, starting from your cuticle toward tip of your nail bed. When you’re done painting lines, wait for about 30 seconds and take off any excess by wiping off with clean cloth or cotton ball. While still wet, apply top coat to seal in new manicure design. You can also use blue acrylic nails or any other colored tips that you like!