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The 13 Best Simple Nail Designs To Get This Spring
All the inspiration for a chic, grown-up way to add interest to your manicure
From the micro French to intricate little details, simple nail designs and minimalist nail art is here to stay thanks to trendsetters such as Harriet Westmoreland, Julia Diogo and Georgia Rae. While we appreciate a showstopping maximalist design with marble accents, aura styles and chrome finishes, there's always room for more delicate patterns and timeless colour schemes for those of us who favour something subtler.
'I love a clean, sheer nude nail all year round but adding details dependent on the season is a great way to switch it up and have a little more fun with it,' says Rae, who's long mastered the art of understated and minimalist nail art.
How To DIY Your Minimalist Manicure
'I’m loving neon at the moment, worn as minimal details on the nail such as a super thin French tip,' explains Rae, who has previously created the manicure look at Roksanda's AW24 show (and is the woman behind Sofia Richie's wedding nails). Striking green, hot pink and navy blue are only some of the season's most popular colours. Here, Rae breaks down the steps to creating your own easy minimalist nail art at home.
- Onto a clean, filed nail apply a tinted base coat such as OPI’s Nail Envy; this will provide a base shade for your French mani without layering too much product on the nail.
- Once completely dried, decant a small amount of your favourite bright nail polish onto some tin foil. Using a thin nail art brush, glide the polish around the edge of the nail following the natural shape.
- Finish with a top coat.
Toothpicks and gold leaf (available in specialty beauty supply stores such as Naio Nails) are also useful to have in your manicure kit for creating easy confetti and polka dot designs and adding some sparkle. Shaky hands? These Nail art stickers from Mylee are practically foolproof.
The chicest simple nail designs to try this Spring 2025
Soft Shell
Whether you're by the seaside (or simply dreaming of it from your work desk), this delicate clam silhouette is mermaidcore at its chicest.
Grecian Summer
Capture the sunny mood of a Grecian holiday with a hint of lemon and whispers of blue and white.
Spring Blues
There's something serene about a muted blue colour story. A feature nail adds interest without going overboard.
Garden Variety
Tiny dots make for a minimalist take on a floral nail art design.
Soft Sparkle
Tiny rhinestones are a sure-fire way to elevate your manicure. Keep in elegant with a single stone on each nail on a subtle pink base.
Green Thumbs
Swap white French tips for fresh green ones to give your manicure a hit of subtle colour.
Strawberry Fields
Mini red berries on a base of sheer pink is a low-key but still taps into this popular fruit motif.
Glints Of Gold
Add interest to curvaceous lines by using a speckled base polish.
Still Bejewelled
Practical? Perhaps not. But there's no denying how cool these icy gems are on perfectly glossy nails. Make nail jewellery your go-to design for your next special occasion (or wedding) manicure.
Colour Theory
Prefer punchier tones? Try this vibrant twist on a French manicure with a lilac base and tangerine tips.
Geometrical Gem
Amp up a dark manicure with graphic lines and tonal shades.
Curves Ahead
Play with soft white curves on a translucent base for an ultra-chic approach to nail art.
All In The Detail
A French tip, but not quite. The low-key wavy lines are a subtle way to update the classic look.
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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