68 Acrylic Nail Ideas That Never Go Out of Style
The wonderful world of acrylic nails is home to so many fun and innovative designs. Although they're frequently associated with extra-long looks, acrylics actually let you experiment with different lengths and interesting styles, whether you want a short, square French manicure or a set of lengthy, neon-pink, stiletto-shaped nails.
You'll want to make sure you love the nail art design you choose because these manicures are long-lasting. Acrylics tend to be stronger than gel nails, nail artist Brittney Boyce previously told Allure. They're created by mixing a powder (polymer) — usually clear, but the powders come in a range of colors — and a liquid (monomer) into a dough-like consistency that, when it hardens, can be filed and molded. From there, a talented nail artist can create whatever your imagination conjures.
If you're worried about potential damage to your nails, don't be. The key to healthy nails with acrylics is proper removal with the right tools (like lots of acetone) and tons of time and patience. (This how-to guide has all the steps for at-home removal, though we highly recommend you have the process done by a pro.) The right nail technician will be able to care for your natural nails whether you use acrylic powders, gel polishes, or gel extensions. And don’t overthink the look of fake nails, either: Acrylics can be made to look super natural like they’re your very own nails.
For some fresh ideas, peruse this gallery full of acrylic manicures in square, stiletto, coffin, almond, and even lipstick shapes. We're sure you'll be able to find exactly what you need for your next nail appointment.
Morgan Taylor1/68Jet black
Black nails were a hit on the fall/winter 2023 runways and continue to be a classic manicure option, even in the summer. This mani created by Morgan Taylor lead nail artist Danielle Candido, proves that when glossy black nail polish is painted on long, stiletto acrylics, it makes for a sleek manicure that’s dangerously sexy.
3/68See-through claws
This clear acrylic nail set is made better with pretty florals all over. Manicurist Wendy (a.k.a., Wownailsiom on Instagram) calls these “encapsulated nails” because they look like real flowers encased in clear glass.
4/68Bedazzled shorties
Whoever said short nails are boring hasn’t seen this manicure by Pennsylvania-based artist Jayda Delaware of The Nail Fiend. Short acrylic nails can still make a statement — just add a few nail rhinestones and gold foil and voilà, a mani fit for royalty.
5/68Gold rim
White nails always make a statement. Manchester, UK-based nail artist Becky Armstrong elevated this simple look with thin lines of gold foil around the perimeter of each nail. This luxe reverse French manicure is a 10 out of 10 in our book.
6/68Almond swirl
These twists and turns are dizzying. San Diego-based nail artist Dani Rodriguez painted chrome purple and white swirls on a glossy nude base to create this trendy look.
7/68Electric French mani
Ignite your inner cool girl with this orange and yellow French manicure. Pennsylvania-based artist Symfani nailed the contrast between orange and yellow in this eye-catching mani. If you look closely, you’ll also see the silver nail gems that add a subtle sparkle.
8/68Vacation florals
If you can’t make it to the tropics this year, bring the island vibes to your nails with this colorful floral French manicure. We love the way Texas-based nail artist Kaitlyn of Nailsxkaiit mixed two classic designs and incorporated bright colors to create this vibrant summer art.
Courtesy of Instagram/@syellenails9/68On the farm
Cow print has been a super popular nail trend for a while now, but Georgia-based nail artist Sydney Martin demonstrates a new way to incorporate the design. Ditch the usual white and black for a clear base with baby-blue splotches, as seen on these extra-long, tapered, square nails.
Courtesy of Instagram/@talontedgrip10/68Sharp angles
You may be used to seeing dramatically long acrylic nails, but they don't always have to be lengthy. Just look at this manicure from Brooklyn-based nail artist Meisty Gawdess. The length is perfect for those who are intimidated by longer styles or live a lifestyle where shorter nails are a must. We love each bright shade she chose to create the angled lines at the tips of this square-shaped set.
Courtesy of Instagram/@fetishfornails11/68Nostalgic memories
Hello Kitty was a fixture in many of our lives and Houston-based nail artist Jasmine created a perfect tribute to the fictional character with this neon manicure. Jasmine's known for her ‘90s-influenced designs, and we can definitely see that here, especially on the middle and index fingers. We love the way the 3D decals, like Hello Kitty's face, look next to the abstract art.
Courtesy of Instagram/@kreationsbykiki12/68Whiteout
You can never go wrong with a chalk-white set, like these nails from Durham, NC-based nail artist Kiea Taylor. She elevated the simple set with an encapsulated accent nail on each hand. Look closely and you'll see the pieces of iridescent and gold glitter flecks.
Courtesy of Instagram/@badgal.nails13/68Mismatched
Playing around with different acrylic nail designs on each finger makes for more fun than sticking to just one look. And this mismatched manicure, created by Brooklyn-based Jasmine Lewis, is proof. We can't decide which nail we like best, but the way she incorporated bright yellow, orange, pink, green, and blue is impressive.
Courtesy of Instagram/@___myaa.nicole_nails14/68Slanted tips
Cincinnati-based nail artist Myaa Nicole created this gorgeous lipstick-shaped manicure that plays with neon pink, canary yellow, and lavender. We like the way one hand has swirls that transition between the three shades while the other hand has small blobs of each color. Of course, Nicole had to add some bling, but she switched it up on each hand. One index finger is completely covered in silver caviar jewels while the ring finger on the other hand has silver gems arranged in swirly loops.
Courtesy of Instagram/@zeynailz15/68The new French manicure
London-based nail artist Zey is responsible for artfully painting this nude French manicure. These C-curve tips are completely hollow and outlined simply in a tan, white, or brown color. The ring finger has Powerpuff Girls-inspired hearts in a series of similar shades.
16/68Head in the clouds
Atlanta-based nail artist Jasmine Jones put together this sheer pink manicure with cloudy white accents. She also added tiny star details to each nail, plus some 3D jewels because who doesn't love a little sparkle? This extremely long manicure has two nail shapes instead of one: The index and pinky fingers are lengthy stilettos, while the middle and ring fingers take on a tapered, square shape.
Courtesy of Instagram/@designingwithsophia17/68Sprinkles on top
These long, square nails almost look good enough to eat with the chocolate sprinkles and white swirls of polish meant to represent whipped cream. Houston-based nail artist Sophia Rice painted this ice cream-inspired set that started with a light brown acrylic base.
Courtesy of Instagram/@clawsbyzee18/68Mix it up
Brooklyn-based nail artist Zariah Tulloch marbled colored acrylic powders to create this glittery manicure. She added flecks of blue glitters to the swirled creation full of bright, summery shades.
Courtesy of Instagram/@_nailsbyelisha19/68Cherries on top
Another French manicure — but this time on an oval-shaped set. UK-based manicurist Elisha Emilius created white, C-curve tips for these medium-length nails. With a dotting tool and a fine-detail brush, she added dots of red polish to form the cherries and lines of green for the stems.
Courtesy of Instagram/@agaloreco20/68Dot work
New York City-based Alba Marina added colorful neon dots to this nude manicure. The tiny circles increase in size the closer you get to the tips. The square-shaped, medium-length manicure is the perfect style for work if you're looking for just a touch of color to wake up your nudes.
Courtesy of Instagram/@thetyratales21/68Gator city
There are so many animal prints to try, like the croc print in this green manicure. The olive hue contrasts well with the lighter lime shade. These long, coffin-shaped nails belong to Tyra A. Seals, one of the founders of BlkGirlNailfies, where she helps curate a gorgeous Instagram feed of nail selfies, or nailfies, from Black women.
Courtesy of Instagram/@nailsbydaovo22/68Purple clouds
This swirly, purple, square-shaped manicure was carved by Los Angeles manicurist Đaô Vo. Vo used blooming gel to create this gorgeous marble effect. Notice the tiny ripples of gold glitter, almost like bolts of lightning in clouds.
Courtesy of Instagram/@adoreaxo23/68Psychedelic vibe
Columbus-based nail artist Adorea Rhodes used a water-marbling technique to mix the vibrant colors in this manicure. These nails truly look like works of art with expertly swirled shades of yellow, pink, purple, mint, and orange.
Courtesy of Instagram/@enchantedclaws24/68Pink revolution
We love all the different ways you can mix and match nail designs, like this stunning pink manicure sculpted by Brooklyn-based nail artist Kyla. The thumb and index finger have a swirly pink and white marble design, while the middle finger is covered in tiny jewels. The ring finger has a pink base with loopy white lines and the pinky stands out with a pure white base and teeny pink eyes.
Courtesy of Instagram/@nailedbynashae26/68Royal fingers
Mississippi-based nail artist Axayla Nashae created this bejeweled acrylic set that looks like it's fit for royalty. She tells Allure she started off with a nude acrylic powder mixed with a shimmer powder for a subtle glittery effect. Then she added the multicolor gems, including the Gucci logo, drawing inspiration from images of Black women's nails from the '90s for the placement of each decoration.
Courtesy of Instagram/@imoannails27/68Glittery clusters
London-based nail artist Naysap put together this encapsulated freestyle set. Her client chose a few stickers and glitter acrylic and let the artist go to work. There's an interesting mix of decals, like the green four-leaf clovers, the Rick Sanchez sticker, and the tiny Hello Kitty. The random assortment works with the green, blue, and purple shades of glitter to tie this manicure together.
Courtesy of Instagram/@downfortheclaws28/68Hand-painted randomness
Bay Area-based nail artist Agatha Mae hand-painted each individual design (five in total) onto these almond-shaped nails. One nail has a black base with a slim, green alien drawn. On the next finger, is a cow print with a white base and black spots. There's another animal featured in this mani — a slithering snake drawn in black polish on a peach nail. There's also a bright yellow smiley face on a cobalt nail, and, for the last design, she used different colors on both nails: One finger has a red base with green, blue, and a darker red spread out on the nail; the other hand has yellow with green, red, and blue.
Courtesy of Instagram/@pthenailtech_29/68Yellow sunshine
Houston-based artist Paige Carthon expertly crafted this bright-yellow manicure. She mixed a few different nail designs here — a French, then a glitter marble, ombré, and 3D decals. And her shaping of this lengthy, square set is superb.
Courtesy of Instagram/@fetishfornails30/68Peach cobbler
Jasmine truly has mastered adding that '90s-inspired curve as she did with this peachy set. (She even sells press-ons with the dramatic arch.) We love the slightly glittery finish on all the nails, plus the shimmery, bronze-pinky ones. The two brown-and-pink marble index fingers make great accent nails.
Courtesy of Instagram/@zeynailz31/68Swirly designs
Loopy lines in various shades will always look cute, like this lavender design. We like how Zey added a heart that reaches across the middle and ring fingers. The purple, pink, and white shades look gorgeous next to each other.
Courtesy of Instagram/@artmuva32/68Hide your dalmatians!
Ice painted this 101 Dalmatians-inspired set. We love the long stiletto shape and we have a good feeling that one of the most fashionable Disney villains would also approve. The addition of the red, heart-shaped gems and faint red line at the cuticle adds the perfect touch to this animal-print manicure.
Courtesy of Instagram/@kreationsbykiki33/68Transparent glitter
Jelly nails grew in popularity in 2019 and for good reason: They're super cute and allow you to play around with different colors and styles. This set from Taylor is a clear one with a glitter twist. On one hand, she swirled purple glitter across the nails to create a loopy effect, then did something similar on the other hand, but with yellow shimmers instead.
Courtesy of Instagram/@talontedgrip34/68Got my eye on you
Gawdess bodied this neon manicure with a different color on each finger. We love that she added tiny eye details on each nail in various colors and formations. The way she arranged the eyes into a heart shape on the index finger really takes the cake.
Courtesy of Instagram/@badgal.nails35/68Back to the '80s
This set by Lewis has all the retro of the glorious '80s. We're loving the color palette she used here: The green, lavender, blue, and yellow shades complement each other well. And she expertly added the black and white lines and circles that really make this artwork so nostalgic.
Courtesy of Instagram/@fetishfornails36/68Psychedelic leopard print
Where do you even begin with this colorful neon manicure? Jasmine calls this a ‘90s psychedelic set and we can totally see why. The explosion of shades works so well alongside the hints of leopard print. The pearls and teeny silver gems make stunning 3D accessories for this fire manicure.
Courtesy of Instagram/@clawsbyzee37/68Flecks of glitter
Tulloch encapsulated a mix of opalescent glitters and sequins to form this stiletto manicure. It's completely see-through, so the flecks of blue, purple, and pink glitters are the stars of the show.
Courtesy of Instagram/@pthenailtech_38/68Animal style
Carthon incorporated different animal prints into this long, freestyle manicure. The clear base makes the black designs almost look like stained glass on the transparent acrylic. We spot croc, zebra, and leopard prints here.
Courtesy of Instagram/@adoreaxo39/68Pop art
Rhodes truly is an artist — just look at this bright yellow, hand-painted manicure she created. We can't decide which nail is the best because they all look so good. She added splatters of green, purple, and pink polish to the index finger. On the middle, are two cherries with green stems and bright red droplets. For the ring finger, swirls of the same green, red, and purple, and finally, for the pinky, she added three green eyes and three lashes with red droplets at the cuticle.
Courtesy of Instagram/@zeynailz40/68Purple zigzags
There are just so many ways to remix French manicures that it's impossible to include them all. Zey added squiggly lines in shades of purple, lavender, and white. The length and square shape are the perfect canvas for this French.
Courtesy of Instagram/@syellenails41/68On Wednesdays, we wear pink
We have a feeling Mean Girl Regina George would approve of these pretty pink, medium-length nails. Martin incorporated both a cow print and a C-curved French tip for this square-shaped set. We love the teeny-tiny gem decals as well.
Courtesy of Instagram/@badgal.nails42/68Luxury experience
This gray manicure is anything but dreary with its Dior stickers and swirly white lines. We love the way Lewis played with different finishes, so the middle finger is nice and shiny while the other nails have a matte texture.
Courtesy of Instagram/@nailsbydaovo43/68Colorful orbs
Clear manicures are a perfect base for colorful designs and this orb manicure by Vo is evidence. They used an airbrushing technique to spread the orange, blue, yellow, purple, and pink hues in this set. To complete the manicure, they added a few colorful gems and 3D water droplets.
Courtesy of Instagram/@adoreaxo44/68Fancy florals
Rhodes started with a yellow base and added golden yellow glitter from the middle of the nails to the tips. Then she created a 3D, cream-colored flower on each nail with a yellow gem as the pistil.
Courtesy of Instagram/@talontedgrip45/68Into the abstract
We love a pink manicure as much as everyone else, but sometimes you want to elevate the look a bit, as Gawdess did here. This ombré set transitions from a peachy pink to a vibrant shade on the tips. On top of seamlessly blended colors, she added a block of contrasting color, plus an angled white line to create some amazing abstract nail art.
Courtesy of Instagram/@fetishfornails46/68Zebra-tipped hot pink
Jasmine created this hot-pink jelly manicure that's giving all the Y2K feels. The sheer neon hue transitions into zebra-print tips that look phenomenal. We especially love the solid border between the sheer pink and animal print.
Courtesy of Instagram/@badgal.nails47/68In full bloom
Add color to nude sets with cute florals, like those Lewis painted here. We love the palette of yellow, blue, pink, lavender, and seafoam. Teeny, gold 3D decals form the pistils smack dab in the center, bringing life to each bloom.
Courtesy of Instagram/@nailsbydaovo48/68Slime season
Cloudy swirls of shamrock and slime greens run through these square nails with a white base. Vo expertly sculpted the nails into a long shape that really elevates the marbled neon green.
Courtesy of Instagram/@nailedbynasha49/68Smiley-face French
The French manicure has been remixed countless times and we love what Nashae did here. Rather than white tips, she added a C-curve tip in pink, purple, tangerine, blue, and green. On each colored tip, she added a simple white smiley face to complete this gorgeous manicure.
Courtesy of Instagram/@badgal.nails50/68I'm a cow
Your manicure doesn't have to have the same colors on both hands. Take this cow-print manicure, for example. We like how Lewis kept one in the traditional black and white, while the other hand features brown splotches instead. The coffin shape and medium length are perfect for the animal prints.
Courtesy of Instagram/@nailedbynashae51/68Under the sea
SpongeBob SquarePants fans will surely recognize these multicolor florals that make up the clouds in Bikini Bottom. Nashae certainly excelled at creating each flower in pretty hues. And we love that she designed them on top of a blue ombré base.
Courtesy of Instagram/@shegotlamboed52/68Splat!
Mississippi-based nail artist SheGotLamboed painted these beautiful splatters of neon and pastel hues. We love that she used two different designs on each hand and created a perfect milky base for those vibrant colors to lie on.
Courtesy of Instagram/@nailsbydaovo53/68Simple silhouettes
There are so many designs you can add to nude sets to spruce them up, like these square-shaped nails. Vo added the simple outlines of a curvy body on the middle and ring fingers. On one hand, they used black polish, on the other, they used white.
Courtesy of Instagram/@thetyratales54/68Multicolor prints
This printed French manicure has several beautiful hues. Atlanta-based nail artist Amy Nguyen chose a stunning palette for Seals's nails. The contrast between the splotches and the French manicure tips looks so good.
Courtesy of Instagram/@nail_it_malli55/68Golden ticket
A metallic manicure in one solid color is sure to turn heads. Jamaica-based nail artist Carrie Anna Malcolm used a gold chrome powder to create these lipstick nails. First, she painted on a black gel polish and topcoat, then added the metallic powder, sealing the whole look with the topcoat once again.
Courtesy of Instagram/@__slaybyzay56/68Textured prints
We love the dramatic length of these textured, coffin-shaped nails from Bronx-based manicurist SlayByZay. She chose a stunning color palette with pink, green, and purple hues. The matte finish of textured croc scales on top of the shiny base gives this manicure exactly what it needs to truly stand out.
Courtesy of Instagram/@shegotlamboed57/68Welcome to the sweet life
Nails with large 3D decals have been having a moment on Instagram, and this pretty blue, extra-long manicure from SheGotLamboed is great nail inspiration. She created a baby-blue base and on two nails added a lollipop and a candy decal. The other nails have a few curved lines in navy, white, hot pink, blush, and slate blue.
Courtesy of Instagram/@__slaybyzay58/68Rainbow swirl
SlayByZay used a fabulous greige hue as the base here. On top of the neutral color, she added squiggly lines of color that look like swirly rainbows. She also expertly sculpted each lengthy, square-shaped nail.
Courtesy of Instagram/@__slaybyzay59/68High-contrast points
SlayByZay opted for black-and-white abstract art on extra-long, sharp stilettos, where some of the design almost looks like parts of leaves. Even though this manicure uses just two neutral colors, it's far from basic.
Courtesy of Instagram/@agaloreco60/68Sea swirls
Marina swirled together a few different acrylic colors to create this manicure on a set of lengthy, square nails. The blues resemble the undulating waves of the sea, thanks to her marbling technique.
Courtesy of Instagram/@designingwithsophia61/68Minimalist lines
For these pitch-black nails, Rice added silhouettes of nude bodies in vibrant lime, blue, and pink. Each body strikes a different pose, and the long, square shape adds an eye-catching element to this manicure.
Courtesy of Instagram/@downfortheclaws62/68Pretty pastels
These medium-length, cow-print nails are super cute. Mae shaped this coffin manicure beautifully with perfect spots. Although we love them all, our favorite color combo may just be the baby blue and pink.
Courtesy of Instagram/@artmuva63/68Koi pond
Ice's client wanted an aquarium-inspired set with jelly, koi fish, a sculpted leaf, and encapsulated lily pads. And, wow, did she deliver! Everything the client wanted is present in this aquatic manicure. The stiletto shape is perfect for this set, and we love the translucent teal and flecks of glitter. We're not sure what's more impressive, the hand-painted koi fish or the 3D-sculpted emerald-green leaf.
Courtesy of Instagram/@designingwithsophia64/68Encapsulated flowers
Houston and Chicago-based nail artist Sophia sculpted these nails with milky white acrylic to create the base. Then she carefully added each bloom to the nails to begin the encapsulation. After letting it dry for a few seconds, she tells Allure, she added more white acrylic and then a coat of clear acrylic to seal the nails.
Courtesy of Instagram/@agaloreco65/68Unicorn swirl
This marbled manicure has gorgeous pastel swirls of greens, purples, pinks, and blues. The mix of colors reminds us of a unicorn and the gold accents on each nail add a beautiful finishing touch to this fantastical set.
Courtesy of Instagram/@adoreaxo66/68For the love of florals
These slightly cloudy nails have the cutest 3D flowers. Rhodes created each flower by carefully placing colorful jewels, gems, and other adornments. The golden metallic flowers look lovely next to the vibrant blue, pink, and orange blooms.
Courtesy of Instagram/@_nailsbyelisha67/68Let it rain
Emilius added texture to this clear manicure for a "wet" effect. She created a clear ombré so the nail fades from light pink to completely transparent. Plus, iridescent droplets twinkle starting about halfway down the nails to the tips.
Courtesy of Instagram/@bejazzeled.nails68/68I'm Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Jones painted these gorgeous cobalt-blue nails with squiggly lines in white, slime green, and orange. She's a whiz at shaping, which is clear with these perfect square nails. The shape and length make a great canvas for intricate art like these swirls.
