White nail polish was the most popular color for girls’ manicures in the early 2000s. This trend continued into the 2010s. It’s back in style, and people are flocking to it on TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms. White nail polish can be used as an accent color, a bold shade on its own, or in French manicures. It is also a great choice for nail art. We’ve gathered over a dozen ideas for white nail polish that we would happily recreate in the coming year. See them below.
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Solid White Nails
@lolo.nailedit/ Instagram
Let’s start with a simple solid white. You can see here how vibrant and bold a colorless, bright shade can be. Orly Coconut Milk is no longer available. Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color in Amazing Grace ($20) is a great alternative.
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French Stiletto Nails in Milky White
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French manicures are usually done with white nail polish. This stiletto manicure is not a monochrome, solid-white approach. The unique shape is amazing.
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White Pearlescent Almond Nails
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We love this pearlescent white, almond-shaped manicure. This is a perfect manicure for the Y2K resurgence. Moon River, a Death Valley Nails Nail Polish ($14), can be used to recreate this look at home.
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Abstract White Square Nails
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Looking for a manicure fit for a gallery? This long, square manicure in bright white features marble nail art inspired by portraits. The dewdrop accents really take this manicure to the next step.
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Gold Star White Oval Nails
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Who doesn’t love a gold star (or a few)? This white manicure was created with essie Nail Polish in Blanc ($10) and Good as Gold.
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Pink Peony White Nails
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What a romantic manicure! The delicate pink peonies in dimensional form are a delight to see, and they’re also surprisingly simple to replicate. Check out the process of nail artist Aiste Haas here.
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Matte White Abstract Nail Art
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Use nail tape or paper hole reinforcement stickers to create the sharp lines of this abstract negative space nail design. Finish off with a matte finish, such as the Manucurist Paris Matte Top Coat (14 dollars).
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White Negative Spacing Stripe Nails
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We love this negative space white nail design. Apply washi tape on bare nails, then paint two coats of polish white. After the polish has dried, remove the washi tape and apply a topcoat.
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White Coquette Cherry Nails
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This milky aura nail look is perfect for the coquette trend. Red is a popular color at the moment, so the cherries add even more appeal.
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White French Tips with Gold Accents
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White and gold are always a good combination. Start with classic French and then add 3D gold accents using nail glue.
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Black and white marbled nails
@phoebesummernails / Instagram
This milky white manicure is uniform and unique. You’ll see black dots, a solid border, and marbled accents.
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White chrome double French Mani
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Start with a donut-shaped base, then add a double French accent. Orly Half Moon Guides will make sure your arches look clean and crisp.
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Aura Nails in Milky White, Blue and White
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Cinderella is the inspiration behind this milky white manicure with blue accents. The rhinestone accents on the dewdrops remind us of Ariel. It’s obvious that this is a nail design that will turn heads.
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White Gemstone Nails
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This manicure is fit for a Princess: Instead of the classic aura center, it uses rhinestones surrounding by gold dots to create a magical finish look.
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White Doodle Nails
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We love this white manicure with cherry accents. You can still see the crispness of a manicure when you don’t use white all over.
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Wavy white Nails
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Some times, a few swirls of white will do. For a similar look, choose a base with gold flecks and a fine-lining brush to create the wavy accents.
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White Butterfly Nails
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Consider this pink, black, and white butterfly manicure to embrace the idea of transformation. This is a more complicated manicure, so it’s best to ask a professional (or someone with an artistic eye and a steady hand) for help.
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White Swirl Nails
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This white swirl manicure looks stunning and is simple. This manicure reminds us a topographic map without color.