Beauty
14 Grunge Nail Ideas That Serve Major ’90s Vibes
Barbed wire details and matte black polish ahead.
Thanks to Gen Z tastemakers like Billie Eilish and Emma Chamberlain, ’90s grunge beauty is having a renaissance.
In a few words, the nostalgia-driven aesthetic is typically dark, and androgynous, and embraces imperfections. What’s more, a decidedly grunge look aims to challenge the norm in some way, departing from the traditionally classic or elegant (like a perfectly applied cat eye, for example).
Typically, this translates to smudged black eyeliner from the night before, vampy lip shades, and lived-in wet hair — though the “grunge girl” aesthetic applies to edgy manicure moments, too.
The overall vibe of grunge nails? Think both glossy and matte black nail polish shades, cross motifs, cool-toned aura art, and Y2K-esque chromatic finishes on dark hues.
From celeb-approved silver chrome sets to more minimal mani details that still have some edge, keep scrolling to find 14 nail art ideas that match the trendy grunge aesthetic.
1Cherry Chocolate Ombré
This cherry chocolate-colored manicure mixes matte and glossy finishes with an ombré and French nail design for an unforgettable set.
2Black Corset Tips
To embrace your inner grunge girl, rhinestone crosses and black corset-inspired lace details perfectly hit the mark.
3Sterling Silver Vein Details
Elevate a low-key silver-tipped French manicure with metallic silver vein-like detailing and silver nail jewelry.
4Glossy Swirls On A Matte Base
Create a completely head-turning manicure that matches the “grunge girl” aesthetic with a sheer matte base topped with glossy black swirls.
5Sterling Silver Chrome Frenchies
For those who prefer an understated set of nails, you can’t go wrong with a crisp French tip. Opt for a sterling silver metallic instead of white for some grungey edge.
6Fire Red Checkered Design
In your red nail era? Turn the buzzy “red nail theory” mani trend on its head with a checkered print that nods to ’90s-era skater shoes.
7Stiletto Spider Manicure
Bring all of the fierce vibes to your nails with these ultra-sharp stilettos covered in realistic spider designs, spooky webs, and “grunge girl”-approved piercings.
83D Clear Glass Tips
This crystal clear set with 3D texture truly pushes the boundaries of the norm, and is one of the most unique takes on a classic French manicure yet.
9Cool-Toned Lavender Aura Art
You can always rock some celebrity-approved aura nail art — and this black and lavender combo screams “grunge.”
10Black Lace Mani
Inspired by the lacy black fabric found on ’90s-era vintage finds, this stunningly different manicure is dark and seductive in the best way.
11Molten White Aura Nails
If you prefer a light-colored manicure, go with white airbrushed aura art. Top it off with molten detailing for an edgy set that’s so grunge-chic.
12Micro Black Cherry Print
Both Kourtney Kardashian Barker *and* Hailey Bieber have recently worn the micro cherry nail art trend, which, when painted in black, serves total grunge vibes.
13Abstract Black Smoke Nails
This hypnotizing, black smoke-inspired design is the perfect addition to any “grunge girl” outfit, and is sure to bring on the compliments.
14Barbed Wire-Lined French Tips
If you’re a total French nail aficionado, lining each tip in barbed wire detailing adds a fashion-forward flare to the more traditional set.
