30 Navy Nail Looks That Range From Simple to Show-Stopping

Navy nails are a classic look that’s gorgeous on everyone, but how you wear the shade is up to you. Keep it simple with a few coats of the rich, steely shade, or incorporate it into a show-stopping design. It’s adaptable enough to wear year-round, but it’s especially pretty during the cooler months. “Baby blue was such a popular color for spring and summer, and this fall, we’re taking a deeper approach with rich, vivid navy,” says CND co-founder Jan Arnold. “It’s the perfect transition color as it is such a beautiful cool tone, but still versatile.”

When painting navy nail designs, you can get really creative. “Navy can be a fun, playful color to do negative space designs with,” says nail artist Rachel Joseph. “It’s also a beautiful shade for French manicures. It makes for a nice bold statement.” Arnold adds that it pairs well with a “complementary deep orange to create a striking design.”

MEET THE EXPERT

Jan Arnold is the co-founder of nail-care brand CND.
Rachel Joseph is a nail artist who works in Los Angeles and New York City.

Ahead, explore 30 navy nail ideas below to inspire your next manicure.

01of 30

Liquid Blue Marbles

“I love this design because it looks like liquid, smooth marble, but also wave-inspired,” says Arnold. “The blues blend together beautifully with a pop of smoky white to really tie it all together.”

02of 30

Rich and Monochrome

Lights Lacquer At Last ($11) is a gorgeous true navy blue. It’s a rich shade with depth thanks to subtle gray undertones.

03of 30

Minimalist Lines

This is a minimalist negative space manicure designed by Paintbox using Marine ($18) by Bio Seaweed Gel. “I love how timeless this mani is. Great for those new to nail art,” says Joseph.

04of 30

Slim Lines

Similar to the Paintbox look above, this design showcases how you can do the same minimalist line design on an opaque base instead of a natural nail.

05of 30

Deep Cobalt

This Lights Lacquer polish is the perfect shade if you want something deep but not dull. The hue has a ton of vibrance and the high-shine top coat makes it even more eye-catching.

06of 30

Royal Shimmer

Spice up navy nails by opting for a glitter polish. This deep blue-purple lacquer packed with shimmering and ultra-fine cobalt flakes is House of Hades ($15) from Moon Cat.

07of 30

Black, Blue, and Brown

Black & Blue + navy nails — @NAILSBYMAKI.NYC

This nail tip design uses dusty shades of blue and brown anchored by black lines for a moody, yet graphic look.

08of 30

Gray Navy

“This is a gray navy that is a one-coat wonder,” nail artist Erika Michelle writes in her Instagram caption for this manicure selfie. “I was in the mood for a very moody mani and remembered that I had this one in my stash to try.” She used the shade What Is This ($10) from Jessie Monroe Nail Care.

09of 30

Cocktail Hour

I’m obsessed with this stunning look. It uses a navy so deep it leans purple to create these strong swirls for a beautifully balanced look.

10of 30

Navy Chrome

Combine navy nails with a chrome powder finish for a strikingly dark, yet reflective look.

11of 30

Alternating Tips

Lights Lacquer At Last ($11) is paired with a light green polish to create this look. Instead of creating tips with a bare base, the artist chose to use two opaque shades and alternate which one serves as the tip and which serves as a base, creating a graphic, yet simple pattern.

12of 30

Cat Eye Shimmer

Cat eye polishes are so fun because each nail comes out a bit differently. This blue polish has tons of dimension and movement for extra pop.

13of 30

Matte Navy

A matte topcoat can totally change the look of a polish. This look features matte navy nails with a single beige glossy nail as a contrasting accent.

14of 30

Evil Eye

This high-gloss design features two little evil eyes on each hand, creating a subtle yet impactful look.

15of 30

Thin Swirls

Three shades of blue — navy, denim, and baby — create this design. It features thin swirls of each color atop a ɴuᴅᴇ base.

16of 30

Thick Swirls

Swirls are often done on a nail base, so I love this look, which utilizes the trendy design on an opaque blue base, creating a fun monochromatic look.

17of 30

Feeling Blue

Navy doesn’t have to be the star of your nail look — let it play a supporting role by pairing it with a gradient of other blue hues. This look uses Lights Lacquer polish in the shades Secret Garden ($11), At Last ($11), Blue Moon ($11), Cold Case ($11), and Misfit Toys ($11).

18of 30

Mixed Finishes

What makes this gradient so fun is that it uses similar blue hues in different finishes. It uses Lights Lacquer polishes in the shades I’ll Be Home ($11), Woman (discontinued), At Last ($11), and Barry ($11).

19of 30