49 Different-Colored Nails and Mismatched Nail Ideas Worth Copying
One of the few plus sides of lockdown is all the extra time to be creative, which could explain the influx of different-colored nails and mismatched nail ideas popping up on our Instagram Explore page. Or maybe it's simply the fact that we're so bored we're turning to nail designs for a little excitement. No matter the reason, there's no denying an eclectic approach to manis is the first official nail trend of 2021.
Sure, Skittles nails and ombré manis have been trending nail designs for the past year, but according to Pinterest, they aren't going anywhere. A report from the platform notes that searches for what it's calling “indie nails”—treating each nail as its own individual design—have increased 21% for 2021. Whatever you call the trend, there's no denying how cute (and easy) it is.
We rounded up the best different-colored nails and mismatched manicure ideas, from twists on the French manicure to cute doodles, below. Scroll on to get inspired.
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Instagram/@yeswhatnails1/47Pastel Tips
Switch up a classic French mani with an assortment of pastel tips for the perfect spring nails. Swooping, imperfect edges make it feel all the more fun.
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Instagram/@evemeetsnails2/47Doodle Nails
Think of your nails like a notebook and treat each one to a tiny doodle. Yin and yangs, swirls, and checkerboards are easy to execute but pack a punch.
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Instagram/@betina_goldstein3/47Barbie Ombré
If hot pink feels a little too summery, tone it down with an ombré to nude. Try OPI in Strawberry Margarita for your brightest nail, and mix it with increasing amounts of white for the rest of your mani.
Instagram/@yeswhatnails4/47Abstract Swiggles
Let your (virtual) trip to the art museum be your guide and go for a smattering of colors, shapes, and designs. Having a bit of negative space keeps things from feeling too chaotic.
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Instagram/@evemeetsnails5/47Velvet Tips
Velvet nails get a level up when paired with French tips. Make them even cooler by doing a different color on each hand.
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Instagram/@evemeetsnails6/47Mixed Stickers
This collection of mixed prints looks impressive, but it's actually incredibly easy to re-create. All it takes is a few packs of stickers from Manime, and you're good to go.
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Instagram/@yeswhatnails7/47Purple Party Nails
Keeping in the same color scheme but mixing patterns is the perfect way to ease into the trend. Try Paintbox Power Couples in Like Lilac + Like Muse for a similar look.
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Instagram/@yeswhatnails9/47Checker Nails
Bring the checkerboard trend from your clothes to your nails. A mix of shades and slightly off-kilter lines make an already playful print super whimsical.
Instagram/@themaniclub10/47Metallic Gradient
Break up an otherwise neutral gradient with pops of gold and holographic polish.
Instagram/@thehangedit11/47Poppy Flowers
The best thing about these colorful flowers? They're super easy to re-create at home. All you need is a dotting tool or the end of a bobby pin, and a handful of bright polish shades.
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Instagram/@kesangthenailartist12/47Neutral Patterns
A mix of cheeky patterns gets a sophisticated twist paired with a chic color palette.
Instagram/@vanityprojects13/47Mismatched Tips
How freaking cute are these? Mix all of the year's biggest nail trends—smiley faces, cherries, and clouds—for a party on your nails.
Instagram/@hollyfalconenails14/47Ombré Dots
Use your trusty dotting tool or bobby pin to add polka dots in different colors to each nail. Easy-peasy.
Madeline Poole / @mpnails15/47Outline Nails
Make your favorite colors stand out even more by lining each nail in a dark, contrasting color. Don't worry about uniformity. The varying thickness makes the design and the base color pop.
Instagram/@oliveandjune17/47’90s Nails
Go back to middle school in the best way possible with fun designs like butterflies, yin and yangs, and cute flowers. This collab set from Olive & June x Frasier Sterling has everything you need to create this look (including the cute ring).
Instagram / @ritaremark18/47Surfboard Nails
Adorable alert: Rita Remark, Essie global color ambassador, painted these nails to look like mini surfboards.
Instagram/@thehangedit19/47Mixed Prints
When both Dua Lipa and Harry Styles have worn smiley face nails, you know they're cool. Switch it up by adding other fun designs like hearts and rainbows.
Betina Goldstein / Instagram20/47Tonal Gradient
No wonder gradient nails are so huge this year: Not only are they crazy easy to do, but they're so much more fun than a single color.
NailsInc / Instagram21/47Double Accent Nails
Make a red mani feel more fun by painting your ring and middle fingers complementary bright colors.
Instagram / @paintboxnails22/47Pastel and Petal Nails
Slide from winter to spring with a floral accent nail paired with your favorite pastel polish.
23/47Skittles Nails
While a gradient or ombré mani uses varying tones of the same color, a Skittles mani is just a random assortment of different-color nails that make you smile. For this one, blogger Christina Hooks used Olive & June polish in CNH, E+M, Yes Please, JM, and HD.
Betina Goldstein / Instagram24/47Dainty Dots
Use the tip of a toothpick to create mini spots in an array of colors.
Instagram / @paintboxnails25/47Precious-Metal Nails
Make the most of your favorite metallics by doubling up on precious metals. Half silver and half gold add up to one wholly magnificent mani.
Betina Goldstein / Instagram26/47Gradient Neutrals
Bold colors not your thing? Give your usual Ballet Slippers a twist by mixing it with other neutrals.
Instagram/@themaniclub27/47A Twist on Teal
Shades of teal give off total zen vibes, even when you're feeling anything but. Tiny dots spice things up a little bit without a whole lot of extra effort.
Instagram / @oliveandjune28/47Dot Art Nails
Once you get past the serious bling-age happening here, you won't be able to stop staring at Stephanie Gottlieb's chic, minimal take on dot nail art. A simple arc of dots in bright crayon colors at the base of your nails is all it takes.
Instagram / @oliveandjune29/47Rainbow Nails
A single line never looked so cool. Building off a nude base like Naked by Deborah Lippman, add every color in the rainbow for a minimal yet colorful summer mani.
Steph Stone / @stephstonenails30/47Pastel Nails
This robin's-egg-blue-inspired mismatched mani has all the impact of a bold design with none of the fuss.
Instagram / @ritaremark31/47Reflective Nails
The nails for Monse's summer show were meant to look black when the models walked toward you, and silver when they turned away. But straight on, they're just as cute.
Bingbang NYC / Instagram32/47Muted Gradient
Kick fall off early by mixing muted shades of greige, burnt orange, and black.
Instagram / @oliveandjune33/47Dot-Art Nails
Mix and match all your favorite summer shades by layering bright dots over a neutral base coat. Start with a base coat of Amazing Grace and brighten things up with Born This Way, Sea of Love, Walking on Sunshine, and It's Raining Men by Deborah Lippmann.
Instagram / @oliveandjune34/47Half ’n’ Half Nails
Freshen up your favorite shades with a streak of silver. The more muted the base color, the more your choice of metallic accent will shine. Try choosing cotton candy shades like the ones shown here: OPI's Like You're Such a Budapest, Do You Lilac It?, and Eurso Euro.
35/47Sea-Glass Nails
A chic touch of geometry works best with coordinating colors. Try the shades used for these cute, random squares: Christian Louboutin in Batignolles and Wherever.
Instagram / @paintboxnails36/47Graphic Gray Scale Nails
Keep things chic at every angle with a subtle mix of gray scale polishes. A bright white base is a perfect canvas for jet-black and dove gray.
Instagram / @oliveandjune37/47Lashes and Lines Nails
Make nail art pop with contrasting colors. Olive and June's mash-up of lashes and lines looks alive with Kendra Scott's True Red, Turquoise, and Bright White.
Steph Stone / @stephstonenails38/47Bright Stars
A nude base is a perfect canvas for this simple and chic array of colorful stars. Alternate between different sizes, colors, and angles for a do-over-free unique look every time.
Instagram / @oliveandjune39/47Confetti Nails
Summer citrus polish gets an update with bright confetti accents. Create a contrast with a matte topcoat on your accent nails.
Madeline Poole / @mpnails40/47Bright Floral Nails
By varying the colors of each floral accent, this manicure keeps things unexpected and not too sweet.
Jin Soon Choi41/47Crosshatch Nails
Add a crosshatch design on as many or as few of your nails as you'd like for an eye-catching addition to a subtle nude manicure.
Madeline Poole / @mpnails42/47Graphic Shapes
There are no rules when it comes to the bright design of this geometric manicure. The irregularity of the shapes takes the mismatch trend to a whole new level.
Essie43/47Lip-Print Nails
The wow factor on this lipstick-print manicure is obvious, but the range of pastel colors makes it shine even brighter.
OPI44/47Reverse Gold French Nails
Even cuter than the rainbow tips on this reverse French manicure at Creatures of Comfort summer show: the gold foil triangles at the base of each nail.
Frances Liang / @purplenailbox45/47Two-Tone Nails
Color outside the lines with a stress-free take on two-tone nails. Take a cue from NYC nail stylist Frances Liang at Tenoverten salons: The bright colors in this mani strike the perfect balance.
ImaxTree46/47Two-Tone Accent Nails
A subtle, blink-and-you'll-miss-it homage to the accent nail, the swapped colors on each ring finger make a two-tone mani more fun.
Steph Stone / @stephstonenails47/47Holographic Nails
For a fresh take on hologram nails, brush on an array of different color holographic powders instead of just one.
