49 different-coloured nails and mismatched nail ideas worth copying
As we enter spring (finally!), you may well be looking for ways to refresh your mani for the new season. Which could explain the influx of different-coloured nails and mismatched nail ideas popping up on our Instagram Explore page. Or maybe it's simply the fact that we're so impatient for the temperatures to warm up that we're turning to nail designs for a little heat. No matter the reason, there's no denying an eclectic approach to manis is a trend that's hot right now.
Sure, Skittles nails and ombré manis have been trending nail designs for the past year, but according to Pinterest, they aren't going anywhere. There's also a zeal for what's referred to on the platform as “indie nails” – treating each nail as its own individual design, also known as mix and match nails. Whatever you call the trend, there's no denying how cute (and easy) it is.
We rounded up the best different-coloured nails and mismatched manicure ideas, from twists on the French manicure to cute doodles, below. Scroll on to get inspired.
This article was originally published on GLAMOUR US.
Instagram/@yeswhatnailsPastel 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/@evemeetsnailsDoodle Nails
Think of your nails like a notebook and treat each one to a tiny doodle. Yin and yangs, swirls, and chequerboards are easy to execute but pack a punch.
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Instagram/@betina_goldsteinBarbie 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/@yeswhatnailsAbstract Swiggles
Let your (virtual) trip to the art museum be your guide and go for a smattering of colours, shapes, and designs. Having a bit of negative space keeps things from feeling too chaotic.
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Instagram/@evemeetsnailsVelvet Tips
Velvet nails get a level up when paired with French tips. Make them even cooler by doing a different colour on each hand.
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Instagram/@evemeetsnailsMixed 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.
Instagram/@yeswhatnailsPurple Party Nails
Keeping in the same colour 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/@stephstonenailsGraphic Flowers
Here's another way to make flowers feel fresh. You could do this with any two colours, but there's something about black and white that feels particular modern. Try Essie in Blanc and Licorice for a similar look.
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Instagram/@yeswhatnailsChecker Nails
Bring the chequerboard trend from your clothes to your nails. A mix of shades and slightly off-kilter lines make an already playful print super whimsical.
Instagram/@themaniclubMetallic Gradient
Break up an otherwise neutral gradient with pops of gold and holographic polish.
Instagram/@thehangeditPoppy Flowers
The best thing about these colourful 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/@kesangthenailartistNeutral Patterns
A mix of cheeky patterns gets a sophisticated twist paired with a chic colour palette.
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Instagram/@vanityprojectsMismatched 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/@hollyfalconenailsOmbré Dots
Use your trusty dotting tool or bobby pin to add polka dots in different colours to each nail. Easy-peasy.
Madeline Poole / @mpnailsOutline Nails
Make your favourite colours stand out even more by lining each nail in a dark, contrasting colour. Don't worry about uniformity. The varying thickness makes the design and the base colour pop.
Instagram/@oliveandjune’90s Nails
Go back to school in the best way possible with fun designs like butterflies, yin and yangs, and cute flowers.
Instagram / @ritaremarkSurfboard Nails
Adorable alert: Rita Remark, Essie global colour ambassador, painted these nails to look like mini surfboards.
Instagram/@thehangeditMixed 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 / InstagramTonal 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 colour.
NailsInc / InstagramDouble Accent Nails
Make a red mani feel more fun by painting your ring and middle fingers complementary bright colours.
Instagram / @paintboxnailsPastel and Petal Nails
Slide from winter to spring with a floral accent nail paired with your favorite pastel polish.
Skittles Nails
While a gradient or ombré mani uses varying tones of the same colour, a Skittles mani is just a random assortment of different-colour nails that make you smile.
Betina Goldstein / InstagramDainty Dots
Use the tip of a toothpick to create mini spots in an array of colours.
Instagram / @paintboxnailsPrecious-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 / InstagramGradient Neutrals
Bold colours not your thing? Give your usual Ballet Slippers a twist by mixing it with other neutrals.
Instagram/@themaniclubA 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 / @oliveandjuneDot 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 colours at the base of your nails is all it takes.
Instagram / @oliveandjuneRainbow Nails
A single line never looked so cool. Building off a nude base like Naked by Deborah Lippman, add every colour in the rainbow for a minimal yet colourful summer mani.
Steph Stone / @stephstonenailsPastel Nails
This robin's-egg-blue-inspired mismatched mani has all the impact of a bold design with none of the fuss.
Instagram / @ritaremarkReflective 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 / InstagramMuted Gradient
Kick fall off early by mixing muted shades of greige, burnt orange, and black.
Instagram / @oliveandjuneDot-Art Nails
Mix and match all your favourite 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 / @oliveandjuneHalf ’n’ Half Nails
Freshen up your favourite shades with a streak of silver. The more muted the base colour, 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.
Sea-Glass Nails
A chic touch of geometry works best with coordinating colours. Try the shades used for these cute, random squares: Christian Louboutin in Batignolles and Wherever.
Instagram / @paintboxnailsGraphic Gray Scale Nails
Keep things chic at every angle with a subtle mix of grey scale polishes. A bright white base is a perfect canvas for jet-black and dove grey.
Instagram / @oliveandjuneLashes and Lines Nails
Make nail art pop with contrasting colours.
Steph Stone / @stephstonenailsBright Stars
A nude base is a perfect canvas for this simple and chic array of colourful stars. Alternate between different sizes, colours, and angles for a do-over-free unique look every time.
Instagram / @oliveandjuneConfetti Nails
Summer citrus polish gets an update with bright confetti accents. Create a contrast with a matte topcoat on your accent nails.
Madeline Poole / @mpnailsBright Floral Nails
By varying the colours of each floral accent, this manicure keeps things unexpected and not too sweet.
Jin Soon ChoiCrosshatch 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 / @mpnailsGraphic 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.
EssieLip-Print Nails
The wow factor on this lipstick-print manicure is obvious, but the range of pastel colours makes it shine even brighter.
OPIReverse 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 / @purplenailboxTwo-Tone Nails
Colour 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 colours in this mani strike the perfect balance.
ImaxTreeTwo-Tone Accent Nails
A subtle, blink-and-you'll-miss-it homage to the accent nail, the swapped colours on each ring finger make a two-tone mani more fun.
Steph Stone / @stephstonenailsHolographic Nails
For a fresh take on hologram nails, brush on an array of different colour holographic powders instead of just one.
