15 Unique Nail Designs for Your Next Appointment

As we look forward to spring and summer, it is the perfect time to give our hair and nails some much-needed love after a long winter. Whether you like to maintain your nails yourself or like to go to the salon, everyone wants healthy nails that stand out as a fashion statement. Nail technicians like those at PJ’s College of Cosmetology can provide essential nail care and give you a nail design to match your style and personality. Trying to come up with new nail ideas can be overwhelming, so here is a list of unique designs to give you inspiration for your next nail appointment.

1) Glitter Lines and Color-Blocking Polish 

For those that want to build off some classic nail designs, adding these simple accents can create a chic look to your nails. With glitter gel or rhinestone applications, you can create lines and contours. Accent nails, a nail with a new color pop or texture, can modernize a basic nail. This design is reliable as it tends to match many outfits and personal styles.

2) Animation-Inspired Gel and Polish Designs

When it comes to searching for unique nail designs, you can really pull inspiration from anywhere. Your favorite artists, books, and tv shows can all be reference points for nail art. If you’re looking for something cute and creative, it has become popular in 2021 to recreate your favorite animations via nail art. In this example, Totoro, the fictional character from Studio Ghibli, has been recreated directly on the nail. Experiment with shapes, colors, and graphic lines with your favorite cartoon characters.

3) Tricolor and Blocked Gel

Color-blocking always is a solid choice when looking to style your nails. To mix up this classic aesthetic, use colors in threes and use graphic shapes. This can even create a ’20s or art-deco-inspired nail, like in the below example. These nails are perfect as a statement piece or for special occasions.

4) Artist and Art Movement Nail Recreations

Nail art can also be highly conceptual and avant-garde. Nail technicians and artists have used their favorite artists and pieces of art history as inspiration for their designs. For example, the below style recreates the abstraction style of artists like Piet Mondrian, Mark Rothko, and Jackson Pollock. When looking at all the artists, genres, and movements available to use as a reference, there are endless possibilities for this kind of nail art. Take your favorite painting and add your unique twist!

5) Graphic Line Art Designs

Graphic lines and abstract shapes are similar to the nail designs referencing artistic movements. Create lines with polish or gel pens to create graphic forms and visual patterns. Stick to a color palette to make a cohesive look that stands out as a piece of art.

6) Marbled Polish and Adhesives

If you’re looking to exemplify modern luxury, mimicking designer patterns, stonework, and fabrics on the nails fulfill an expensive look—without actually breaking the bank. You can use nail polish or already patterned adhesives to have marbled nails, copying the design of statues and opulent home decor. Marble nails are a great choice if you want to elevate your personal style.

7) Matte Polish and Acrylics

Even though the choice may seem simple, changing up the texture of your typical nail polish or overlays can modernize your look for a new and improved aesthetic. Choosing a matte texture is a subtle change that actually comes off stylistic and editorial.

8) Ombre Polish and Tips

We all know about the ombre hairstyle, but many forget you can also translate this style to your nails. A two-toned or multi-toned gradient is an easy way to make your nails look designer-made. Request this style if you want nails that stand out but don’t overpower your hair, makeup, or outfits.

9) Neon and “Glow in the Dark”  Polish

We all remember the fun glow in the dark shapes we put on the ceiling as children or the fun neon paint used at parties and celebrations. For the avant-garde, punk-inspired nails, use fluorescent and “glow in the dark” polish. This is an especially great style choice if you are attending a nighttime event or festival.

10) Animal Print Adhesive Tabs 

Self-adhesives are a cost-effective and temporary option if you want to change your nails from time to time on your own. A classic pattern to choose from that never goes out of style is animal print. Zebra, cheetah, giraffe, leopard, and snakeskin are all popular options.

11) Jewel and Rhinestone Patterns

If you like shine and sparkle, jewel and rhinestone patterns are the way to go. There is an array of application sizes and colors to choose from for your design patterns. Some like to stick to a more minimalist style with one or two rhinestones on the nail, while others like to create long or even dangling jewels. This is a must-have design if you are looking to complete a glamorous evening outfit.

12) Hand-Written Nail Art

Celebrate your mantra with hand-written nail art. Typically one or two words are chosen to keep the print legible on the nail. These can be hand-drawn with pens or nail polish. This type of nail art is great for a photoshoot or editorial, visual storytelling.

13) Single Accent Nail

Don’t be fooled—minimalism can still include unique and exciting designs. Choose the same color on all of your nails except one. Use this nail as an accent by adding a complementary color or print to the single nail. This type of nail style is perfect for anyone on the go, at home, or in the office. It can match casual and dressed-up styles. For a glamorous take on earth tones, add gold flakes to one nail for a dazzling accent (as seen below).

14) Colored Tips

If you want to stick to something timeless and chic, colored tips or “negative space nails” are a slight twist on the classic french tips. Choose a bold color like electric blue or chartreuse to create a bright pop of color. You can add small, detailed accents if you prefer nails that are more individualized.

15) Mixed Design/ Collage Nails

Lastly, one of the most exciting things you can do as an aspiring nail artist or nail technician is to mix styles and create a design that is completely unique to you. Mixing colors, textures, lines, glitter, and more can all lead to an iconic masterpiece that has never been done before. Mix prints while maintaining a color family to create a cohesive, mixed look. Choose multiple elements but remember to edit—so that your design doesn’t become too cluttered.

As the possibilities for nail art expands, clients are always looking for talented nail technicians that can display their creativity and talent. The employment prospects for nail technicians are expected to grow by at least 19% in the next few years, making it a lucrative career choice. If you love maintaining and creating nail designs, becoming a nail technician might be the next career move for you. PJ’s College of Cosmetology offers a nail technician course that utilizes advanced techniques and nail technology. Connect online or call 800-62-SALON (72566) to enroll.