The best natural nail art designs and ideas to try

Euphoria-inspired makeup can be intimidating for minimalists, which is why I recommend getting in on the trend with a wavy mani like this one here. It’s subtle but still cool, and all you need is a clear base coat, opaque white polish, and a few tiny gemstones to DIY.

There’s just something so stylish about nude nails, and this look ups the ante with a gem placed on each tip. This requires essentially no experience, because all you have to do is paint your nails with your favorite neutral polish and then pop a sticky gem on top.

Nail stickers are all the rage these days because they’re inspired by professional nail art, but don’t require a steady hand. These still give off the same vibe as a carefully drawn-on smiley, just without the time or expertise it takes to actually draw one.

This is for anyone in their Wednesday era. The barely-there black tips on these clear nails can be achieved by dipping nails into black polish rather than painting the polish on.

If your go-to mani is in a pale pink polish shade, the easiest way for you to experiment with nail art is by using a nail dotting tool to add subtle black and white dots at the base of each nail. Of course, you can use any color polish for the dots, but I personally love the black and white vibe.

These nails are almost all white, except for one tiny strip where the natural nail peeks through for a negative space moment. The crisp white color keeps things fresh while the unpainted band helps to keep grown out nails looking intentional. I have this one saved in my summer nail art folder.

If you love the fashion and beauty moments from Emily in Paris, these nails are for you. The quintessential French mani gets a seriously cute but subtle upgrade by way of pearl accents.

Futuristic and shimmery but still suitable for minimalists, the sharp, graphic diagonal lines make this metallic silver polish look cool and modern. It’s a stunning winter nail art option IMO.

This ultimate fall nail look for minimalists. The brown accent nail on the ring finger and tiny dots at the cuticle channel autumn vibes without trying too hard.

Finally, a celestial-inspired mani that feels understated enough for everyday wear. I love how crisp and clean the contrast is between the white and rose gold stars on the cloudy pink base.

If you want to get in on TikTok’s red nail trend without fully committing, this is the look for you. Get ready for the compliments to start rolling in—don’t say I didn’t warn you.

These nude nails are far from basic, thanks to the black graphic triangles placed in the corners. This one may take a little more dexterity than some of the other designs on this list, but it’s still well within the bounds of minimalistic nail art.

You know the beautiful swirl that happens when you add milk to your morning espresso? That’s what this reminds me of. Just look at those delicious layers of creamy white, caramel, and chocolate. Yum.

Maybe an unlikely place to take inspo from, but there’s no denying that these “concrete wall-inspired” nails are pretty cool. My favourite part is the imperfect gold line that runs the length of the nail–it really elevates the textured design.

By turning the traditional half-moon tips into a heart shape on only two nails, this take on a French mani feels decidedly more modern. It’s perfect for V-day or whenever you’re feeling the love.

These nails are giving me Ed Hardy vibes in the best way possible. Early aughts fashion is back, after all! By keeping the French-mani-meets-fire-emoji design white and the base polish sheer, it maintains a level of tasteful, not tacky.

In between two shades and can’t pick one that you like enough for a full mani? This here-and-there design is for you. You get a tiny taste of brown and cream on each nail, but the majority remains naked. Commitment-phobes, you’re welcome.

Black and white polish plus this simple French mani design is exactly what minimalist manicure dreams are made of folks. It’s giving me Chanel vibes and I’m obsessed.

This teal and blue combo just screams surfer girl to me. Like, I can practically see these nails on Kate Bosworth’s character in Blue Crush. If you’re all about that ocean air and Cali waves, these are for you.

If you’re of the “leopard is a neutral” camp, I’m with ya. Making the feline spots even more wearable, this mani features only two or three on each nail with a versatile base of pink. Oh and did I mention that the spots are special effect nail toppers? No design skills required! Meowwwww.