40 Simple Nail Designs That Have A Major Impact

The symbol of the evil eye is said to ward off negative energy, making it the perfect subtle nail art to keep the bad vibes away.

Creamy, “milk bath” manicures are a fancy way of describing off-white nails with a semi-opaqueness that resembles milk, and A-listers like Kourtney Kardashian Barker and Selena Gomez are big-time fans.

Take your go-to sheer pink manicure to the next level (in a super subtle way) by adorning each nail with a single golden dot.

Believe it or not, a rhinestone manicure can be rainbow-colored and simple all at the same time. Start with a pale pink base coat and bedazzle it with a few bright studs for a look that will make you want to blast “Bejeweled” on repeat until your next salon session.

Cow print nail designs are typically statement-making and bold, but these black-and-white spotted French tips are surprisingly subtle.

For those craving a bit of color, this warm, sunflower-inspired shade of yellow polish is the perfect upgrade for micro French tips.

Make a mod statement by painting graphic, black-and-white flowers on neutral nails. The Retro-inspired art is just as on trend today as it was in the ‘60s.

If committing to a fully glitter-painted set of nails seems a bit too bold for your liking, use a bit of sparkling polish to outline just the sides of your nails.

Add a pop of minimalist neons with electric-colored nail cuffs layered onto neutral polish. Stick with a single show-stopping bright, or mix things up with a few of your favorite shades (really, you can’t go wrong!).

If coquette nail art is at the top of your must-try list, this delicate pink floral pattern is the perfect way for mani minimalists to test out the trend.

Brown polish is *finally* getting its due as a neutral nail staple (move over, beige and ballet pink!), and it’s about time. Layer the shade under a chromatic topper to give it a glazed effect that will really stand out.

Trade in the typical white micro French tips for a monochromatic, split-toned set that minimalist icon Kendall Jenner would totally approve of.

Whether you are a loyal salon goer or much prefer painting your nails in the comfort of your home, these deep blue squiggles are practically fool-proof to recreate. Just grab a dotting tool or a detailing brush and get to work.

Show off your still-thriving adoration for all things Barbie — while still staying true to your minimalist roots — with a single hot pink accent heart on your ring finger.

These super-thin, stark white pinstripes create some seriously cool texture in a way that feels understated and chic. Even better? They’ll help make even the shortest nails look longer.

If you’re looking for a simple way to add some color into your favorite French manicure, try swapping out the usual pink-and-white combo for two tones of the same bright color. This cobalt blue is gorgeous, but you can try this look with whatever shades are speaking to you.

Keep things tonally uniform — but still interesting — by adding some metallic accents on top of your favorite marshmallow polish. Try some lightning bolt art in celeb-beloved silver chrome for a little bit of edge.

Zebras are the animal kingdom’s best-dressed minimalists, and their black-and-white coats are worth copying on your next set of French tips.

Skittle nails — AKA any manicure with a different color painted on each nail — are the simplest way to change up your look, and can be done in a shade of rainbow brights or any gorgeous neutral gradient of your choosing.

If you, like Hailey Bieber, are obsessed with the look of a glazed donut manicure, switch things up with a faded ombré French design.

These barely-there, “invisible” French nails were made for the #quietluxury era, and the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it line of glitter makes them feel non-boring and fun.

Take a cue from stars (and nail art icons) like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez and paint a loved one’s initial on your nails.

Fiery red nail polish is one of the manicure world’s most statement-making shades (there’s a reason “red nail theory” is a thing, after all), but this micro French softens it up by using it sparingly on top of an otherwise naked nail.

Whether you’re an outspoken Leo or a well-balanced Libra, these bold-lined celestial nail tattoos will allow any sign to show off their love of the zodiac on the tips of their fingers.

Accessorize your pastel yellow polish with some delicate daisy designs for a set that’s nothing but sunshine.

Green crystals are said to attract money and personal growth, which makes this marbeled jade mani a total power move.

In your soft girl era RN? Trade your typical bright white French tips for a creamy, vanilla-inspired color.

Leopard is technically a neutral, and this gorgeous design allows manicure minimalists to tap the animal print nail art trend that has the girlies *obsessed.*

Lean into “mermaidcore” in the most subtle of ways with a pretty pearlescent polish and oceanic pearl adornments.

Tortoiseshell print nails are a new high-fashion favorite — just ask Sydney Sweeney, who recently co-signed the look.

V-tip Frenchies — otherwise referred to as “tuxedo nails” — add a modern element to the classic old-money mani.

Let your manicure serve big “pretty in pink” vibes with a trendy strawberry-glazed donut set of tips that are simple yet stunning.

Decorate your signature “mannequin manicure” with simplistic geometric shapes for eye-catching nail art that’s extremely easy to DIY.

Modern French tips are the gift that keeps on giving for manicure minimalists, and these chocolate-colored hearts take things to a whole new level of adorable.

If you’re on the hunt for a basic mani that still has a little bit of a flair, adorn your fave neutral polish with barely-there shining stars.

The 1970s serve endless beauty inspiration, and lately, the collective adoration for the era has translated into an obsession with adorable mushroom motifs.

Adding a pop of color with a simple diagonal line is a great way to play with color without fully committing to a single bright shade all over your nails.

Hidden among these micro French tips is a tiny lemon slice design, which simply couldn’t be cuter.

If you’re looking to combine two colors in a design that doesn’t involve some sort of French tip, this checkerboard print is the way to do it.

No matter which color you happen to choose, these chromatic nails with a faded ombré effect are perfect for every occasion and personal aesthetic.