The wonderful world of acrylic nails is home to so many fun and innovative designs. Although they’re frequently ᴀssociated 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.
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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 Sєxy
2/68Barbie pink
Everyone has Barbie on the brain, including NYC-based nail artist Miss Pop, who created this pretty-in-pink, almond-shaped mani. The dark pink half-moon at the base of the nail gives this set a cool Art Deco vibe.
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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.
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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.
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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 ɴuᴅᴇ base to create this trendy look.
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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.
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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.
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Courtesy of Instagram9/68On 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.
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10/68Sharp 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.
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11/68Nostalgic 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.
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12/68Whiteout
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.
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13/68Mismatched
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.
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14/68Slanted 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.
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15/68The new French manicure
London-based nail artist Zey is responsible for artfully painting this ɴuᴅᴇ 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.
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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.
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17/68Sprinkles 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.
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18/68Mix 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.
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19/68Cherries 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.
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