It’s a color that never goes out of style. From frothy and feminine florals and cute bows and hearts to full-on camp (kitsch designs with 3D gems, jelly finishes and OTT tips), there’s a pink manicure to suit everyone. And if you can’t decide, why not keep it simple with a classic pink-based French manicure?
Here are some of the best pink nail designs to try now.
Keep it classic
The easiest way to tap into the trend is with pastel block colors or a pretty French manicure. If you’re opting for the latter, you can’t go wrong with ballet-inspired shades as your base—think tulle or satin slippers. Contrasted with the white tip, it looks classic, chic, and polished.
If you opt to keep to a simple, solid color, try a glossy, sheer shade instead of something too opaque. It’s a modern way to wear pink and helps create the illusion of longer, healthier nails, too.
If in doubt, opt for this classic, suits-all design.
Barely-there pinks work on all nail shapes and lengths.
Want a block color? Try a hot pink to keep things bright and bold.
Pale pink makes the perfect base for delicate polka dots.
Pink tips and other tricks
Pink is a great shade to use when experimenting. To mix things up, choose a few different pink shades and alternate on your nails, or ask your technician to dust over a pink chrome powder to add shimmer. For added dazzle, press on some nail jewels, stickers, or studs to add interest.
Mix solid shades with pink tips on a couple of nails, for a modern spin on a French.
Pink tips feel too boring? Add a delicate extra detail.
If a single shade feels too safe, play with a spectrum of pink shades from baby pink to deep fuchsia.
Nail gems are an easy way to toughen up even the prettiest shade of pink.
Pretty prints and patterns
If prints and patterns are your thing, pink is a great shade to use thanks to its versatility. Go for something ultra-feminine like bows or hearts, or if you want to toughen things up a little, add a layer of intensity with a cat eye polish on top of your chosen shade—or ask your manicurist to freestyle with a tie-dye, lizard, or ombre effect.
The great thing about pink polish is that it lends itself to so many different designs. Why not mix and match cute cherries and feminine florals?
Think of pink as a neutral and add complementary colors like oranges, reds, or yellows.
Try an accent nail with a bold bow for just a touch of femininity.
Pink lizard-print is a pretty meets punk design that we love.
Cat-eye nails are having a moment this year, we love this hot pink take on the trend.
We love this simple but striking design that uses the prettiest of pinks as a base.
Love a smiley but want to make it more feminine? Try shimmering silver on a base of pale pink.
Mix up your shades to create intricate floral designs that look fresh for spring.
Try Some Texture
If you’ve decided to fully embrace the kitsch side of pink, then anything goes. Bows, dots, clouds, jewels, and oversized 3-D florals are all great options for your pink nail designs.
3-D designs can look a bit much if done on every single nail, but this peachy pink base shade helps to soften things up.
For an extra mouth-watering touch, try some juicy droplets on your nail designs.
Opting for darker borders around each of your nails is a great way to make the colors pop. Bonus points for the cute polka dots here.
Committed to kitsch? Go all out with varying shades of pink and OTT embellishments.
Pink is a great shade if you want to try something dreamy and whimsical, like this cloud design with added embellishments.
This hybrid effect combines two of this season’s hottest nail trends.
Why is pink so popular for nails?
Pink comes in a variety of shades—from soft nude to Barbiecore pink. That means it can work across a range of occasions, skin tones, and seasons. For a nail tech, pink is also a color that works well with a range of other hues and designs.
What are some trending pink shades for 2025?
Muted, milky soft pinks are set to be major across 2025. For summer, you can consider shades of berry, deeper pinks with a hint of red or purple that feel both bold and chic. Textured looks are also having a moment—think jelly finishes and mattes. The cat-eye isn’t going away either, and gives an almost satin effect.