I know minimalist nail art may seem kinda pointless (why bother going to the salon for some dots and lines?!), but listen: Simple isn’t synonymous with sheer and boring. Minimal can mean monochrome colors, abstract designs, negative space, geometric lines—pretty much anything you want. It’s the type of manicure that’s ideal for the person who doesn’t want a super-detailed, dramatic set, or someone who cringes at the idea of themed holiday nails. Plus, if you’re of the DIY persuasion, minimalist nail art is wayyy easier to do yourself than a fully embellished nail. And to give you a better visual and a few ideas to get you started, I rounded up 25 designs that are simple and clean, not basic and boring. Keep scrolling for your next mani idea.
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Gold nail polish all over? A little much. But a thin French tip is just the right amount of metallic for a minimalist nail art design.
Get the look: Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Color in Go for the Gold
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Minimalist nails are known for their lack of intricate design, but when you want to try a motif for your minimal mani, paint the design over a plain background. See how these flower nails still look sweet and simple?
Get the look: Prissy Bee Nail Supply Store Bling Application Dotter Pen
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Instead of a simple French that goes straight across, try it with two different shades and sizes for more of an abstract design. Use shades of orange, and you’ve got yourself a minimalist Halloween nail look.
Get the look: La Pierre Cosmetics Lacquer in Distractions
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Red nail polish? A classic choice. Geometric shapes? A cool touch. This mani is a bit of both classic and cool.
Get the look: Revlon Nail Enamel in Fearless
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Next time you paint your nails with a simple sheer polish and decide it’s not enough, add tiny black-and-white nails dots near the cuticle of your nail. The smallest details can make the biggest difference.
Get the look: Jsdoin 5 pc 2 Way Dotting Pen Tool
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When the art is simple, you can let the color and shape of your nail be the focus. I’m lovin’ these rounded minimalist almond nails and this hazy pink-tinted white polish.
Get the look: Côte No. 6Blush Toned Neutral Nail Polish
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This is glitter nail polish done the minimal way. Usually, I would never put “sparkle” and “simple” in the same sentence, but if you keep the shimmer to a small sliver, it works.
Get the look: Essie Nail Polish in Set in Stones
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If you prefer the classic kind of minimalism over the modern kind, an elegant French manicure is an easy choice.
Get the look: Kiss Everlasting French Nail Manicure
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While we’re on the topic of French manis and modern minimalism, try this version that mixes different finishes of the same shade with matte nail polish on the base and a gloss on the tips.
Get the look: Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour in Natural Charm
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Nothing says “minimalist” more than neutral nail polish, abstract designs, and negative space, and this look checks all those boxes.
Get the look: Cizoackle Nail Art Brushes
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These varying tones of mauve nail polish keep this mani fun but still within the lines of minimal nail art because of the monochrome color palette.
Get the look: Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish Set in Bed of Roses
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See, this is what I mean when I say that minimalist nail art doesn’t mean boring nails. The random squiggles make it fun and lighthearted, while the rose and pink nail polish shades keep it classic.
Get the Look: Static Nails Liquid Glass Lacquer in Sweet Peach
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Super pointy stiletto nails go perfectly with lots of embellishments and decorative designs, but here’s proof that you don’t need a ton of extra details to make this minimalist nail shape stand out.
Get the look: OPI Nail Polish in Shorts Story
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If you want a minimal spring nail look because Easter egg nails are just way too literal for you, use your pastel nail polish to paint these wavy tips instead.
Get the look: Nails Inc. It’s Only Neutral Nail Polish Quad
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Clean lines and a simple color palette are really all you need to pull off a minimalist nail art design. Exhibit A: This white-and-pink combo on round nails with asymmetrical tips.
Get the look: Rooted Woman Nail Polish in Blessed
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Don’t know how to paint your nails like this? Drop a few dots and lines in different shades of the same color family (this is minimalism, after all) and while the paint is still wet, use a striper brush to blend and swirl them together.
Get the look: Medusa Nails Nail Art Detailer Brush Set
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When you want to wear a pastel nail design, balance out the rainbow shades with a little negative space and abstract shapes to keep it minimal.
Get the look: Eternal 5 Collection: Candy Pastels
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Long oval nails like these just beg for a classy sheer nude color. This one has the slightest bit of shimmer to give it that little something extra without being too ~extra~.
Get the look: ILNP Birthday Suit
A post shared by Lauren ✨ (@lolo.nailedit)
This mani with fall nail colors and abstract designs is the perfect example of minimalist nail art that incorporates non-boring shades. When in doubt, keep the variety of colors you use to a ~minimum~.
Get the look: Top Coat Nail Polish in Side Hustle
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The clear nail extensions are a nice touch, all you really need is black nail polish and a little patience to pull off this negative-space mani.
Get the look: Mischo Beauty Lacquer in Run the World
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Remember when we used to paint Wite-Out on our nails in class? This much, much cooler version of back-to-school nails has the sophistication that minimalist nail art is known for.
Get the look: Nash + Pino Nail Lacquer in I Do
A post shared by Catherine Hong (@smile___nails)
This spotted nail polish in earthy tones gives me boho minimalist vibes, and I’m into it. To recreate it, paint a swipe of the speckled polish below over a coat of another similar shade, and finish with a shiny top coat.
Get the look: Cirque Colors in Mineralized
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These summery nails show how to take a loud maximalist color like neon green and simplify it for a minimal nail art look. A couple of negative-space accent nails will do it.
Get the look: Kaeess Nail Polish Bold Collection
A post shared by Betina R. Goldstein (@betina_goldstein)
The trick to wearing jeweled nail art and keeping it minimal? Start with short nails and only add a single stone to each finger with nail glue.
Get the look: Aquamarine Swarovski Crystal Flatbacks
A post shared by Canishiea J. Sams (@nailsbycanishiea)
Ok, I’ll admit: Abstract designs, even the minimal kind, are hard to DIY sometimes. Find yourself a pair of pre-painted press-on nails to make it easier.
Get the look: The Nailest Groove Swirly Line Press-On Nails