Goodbye, clean girl nails [1] — you were fun. If you're tired of the subtle nail trends [2] that have dominated over the last year and want to inject more personality into your beauty routine, a blue nail design could be just the thing.
Certain nail polish colours [3] can act as a mood booster. Not only are your hands and nails a part of your body that's in your line of sight all day, but certain shades are known to evoke particular feelings. Case in point? Warmer reds, oranges, and browns can make you feel cosy, and cooler tones, like having a blue nail design on the go, offer the mind a bit of relaxation.
Aside from making you feel better, blue nails are set to be one of the hottest shades this spring and summer, according to Tinu Bello [4], A-List manicurist and Mylee ambassador. "Whether you're an advocate for navy blue, or you're set on a stunning sapphire, blue is an incredibly versatile colour which pairs perfectly with any outfit. Not to mention that it's ideal for all occasions, whether it's a holiday, night out, or baby shower!" Bello tells POPSUGAR UK.
"As for what your blue mani says about you – well, it really depends on the shade. A darker blue or navy evokes confidence, sophistication and class, whereas a lighter, brighter blue is more fun, cute and flirty. Simply put, there's a blue for every vibe!" she adds.
Ready for some inspiration to add to your beauty mood board? We rounded up some of the best blue nail design option around to take straight to your manicure.
Light Blue Nail Designs
"Everyone's obsessed with chrome at the minute and pastels are a staple for spring," TikTok BIAB babe and nail artist Nailed By Belles [6] previously told POPSUGAR UK, so why not go all out with a lightblue nail polish, like Mylee's Tiffany Gel Polish [7] (£9), topped with a chrome coat for an extra-trendy set.
Royal Blue Nail Designs
Royal blue is a deep, vibrant blue that might seem a bit intimidating to try on your whole nail bed. Instead, try incorporating some royal blue nail designs onto a plain base for a refreshing new look.
Navy Blue Nail Designs
Navy blue doesn't get nearly as much credit as it deserves. It's the perfect hue of blue if you're not ready to go completely black and is a classic shade, adding timeless elegance to your nail set. For sparkle in your navy blue set, Bello recommends Mylee's A Night In Town Gel Polish [8] (£8).
Pink and Blue Nail Designs
My mum always told me it was bad luck to wear pink and blue, but with a design as adorable as this, it's hard to resist! With spring nail trends in mind, opt for a pastel pink and blue shade to keep up with the seasonal trends.
White and Blue Nail Designs
White and blue nail designs scream summer, so to prepare you for the hotter months, here's french tip nail design that uses blue for a pop of colour, elevating your basic french manicure to new heights.
Simple Blue Nail Designs
If you'd rather go for a stripped back nail design, that won't have you sitting in the nail salon for too long, try a simple blue nail design, like this french tip, heart cut-out look.
3D Blue Nails
Get creative during your next nail appointment by going for a 3D look with your blue nails. Add gems or pearls to add drama to your nail set, you can never do too much!
Blue Nail Design With Silver Accents
Since blue is a cool-toned colour, other hues in the same tonal family complement it best. If you want to jazz up your manicure, use metallic shades like silver, platinum, or gunmetal to add a touch of something extra.
Blue Jelly Nails
Jelly nails [9] are another trend that's made its way back from the early aughts. Combine it with the royal blue colour seen here and add some abstract line work to give it a grown-up, trendy feel.
Blue Aura Nails
Aura nail art [10] is a staple during festival season, but a monochromatic blue nail design is the perfect way to make it wearable year-round.
Negative-Space Blue Nails
While most nail art tends to create one uniform look across the manicure, negative-space designs [11] allow you to break all of those rules and create fun, abstract shapes within a colour scheme.
Blue Chrome Nails
Your blue nails don't have to be boring — just take a look at this abstract french-tip design. A chrome top coat [12] and red crystals make this manicure look runway-ready.
Blue Watercolor Nails
French tips [13] will always be in style, but swapping the white shade typically used at the top of the manicure with a blue watercolour design will have all eyes on you.
Blue Nail Charms
Your blue manicure can also feature charms, allowing you to get in on the 3D-nails trend [14].
Blue Skittles Nails
The Skittles manicure trend [15] is the perfect way to play with different shades in the same colour family. For your blue-themed nails, paint individual fingers light blue, aquamarine, royal blue, and so on to get a beautiful gradient effect.
Lauren Gordon [16] is the editorial coordinator at POPSUGAR UK, where she creates lifestyle and identity content. Lauren has a degree in journalism from University of the Arts London and previously worked as a showbiz and TV reporter at The Mirror US. Lauren specialises in pop culture, hair and beauty, focusing on trends, sharing in-depth tutorials, and highlighting hidden gems in the beauty industry.
