35 Brilliant Mani Designs That'll Elevate Your Natural Nails

A semi-sheer topcoat over a sleek oval manicure is an infinitely wearable option.

Leave it to celebrity nail artist Betina Goldstein to turn a neutral nail into a trendsetting statement. This time, the artist achieves her feat with tips of dripping chrome.

Two-toned blue dots at the center of each nail bed represent the power of simplicity.

Subtly shimmering almond nails play host to randomly-placed white hearts.

French tips are a natural-nail classic, and in this updated iteration, creamy white is exchanged for vibrant shades of pink, orange, blue, and green.

Short nails with neutral notes lean lovely and romantic with nudes, shimmer, and tiny pressed florets.

Make it matte. This manicure takes things to the next level with a few nearly-sheer coats of matte peach polish.

Seashells, passing clouds, frothy waves. Curvy white lines and details top a nude manicure for a dreamy moment.

More pressed florals — this time on the two center fingers of a glossy oval manicure. A pop of petal hues makes this polish job extra-memorable.

Our hearts beat for this minimalist mani. Baby black hearts pump from the center of natural nails.

Pastel gradients dot the edges of a pinkish-nude manicure for a look that’s perfect for spring and summer.

Natural nails, but add some cloud. Sheer, airy white polish floats across clear oval nails for a dreamy look.

We love a 3D manicure, and this might be the most subtle one of all.

An angelic manicure you’ll never want to remove. With gold leaf metallic touches, this design creates the illusion of a heavenly constellation.

Almond nails with a French tip are always chic, but adding a matte finish and mint stripe makes this look feel fresh and stunning.

Abstracted designs — French tips, colored corners, subtle curves — turn double-take-worthy when painted in a punchy emerald green.

Upgrade your matte natural manicure with tiny black and white etches for a graphic effect.

Groovy, baby. Black and white flowers and metallic dots adorn the center and index fingers of this sleek nude manicure.

A super-sleek and minimal reverse French is eternal in its style and subtlety.

Don’t blink! A single baby blue evil eye rimmed in lavender stares out from each nude nail.

Minimal, but make it ’90s. This neon-tinged natural manicure is on our summer bucket list.

French tips bloom brighter when built of tiny painted flowers.

Dots of pale pink and green look like micro-sized abstracted florals at first glance.

This reverse French gets its idiosyncrasy courtesy of bright yellow dots.

Here’s an idea: Paint your tips varying shades of neutral tones for a sophisticated take on a half-moon mani.

For something unique that isn’t too over-the-top, try elevating the neutral mani with a slight French twist, like this modern take on a classic French mani, featuring contrasting colors on just half of the nail tip.

For something a bit closer to the classic French style you know and love, you can opt for this double French manicure featuring two thin lines instead.

For another subtle way to upgrade your mani, try fading a light pink polish into white for an ombré effect.

Alternatively, you could lean into the pearlcore aesthetic with literal pearls atop a barely-there pink polish.

Golden accents — whether they’re charms or stickers — are always in vogue when it comes to nails.

Not into gilded accents? No problem. Try some delicate golden flakes instead.

This dainty and low-key nail art look uses daisies to elevate a natural manicure.

For something show-stopping yet low maintenance, add a few pops of color to your natural nails. You can stick with the red, orange, and yellow hues like the mani seen here, or create your own design.

Muted metallic lines add a swoon-worthy pop to a neutral base.

Decorate your nails in a silver (or gold) glitter outline for an understated but just-sparkly-enough manicure.