In This Story:
While the internet births several new nail trends every microsecond, one that has survived the test of time is the ombre manicure. Ombre for nails started off as a layer of soft pink flowing into the quintessential French tip. However, today, there are a mind-boggling number of renditions. Whether you want to create a soft gradient with two or more colours or add some razzle-dazzle with glitter, you can pick from a wide range of super chic manicure ideas that are easy to do at home.
Furthermore, ombre nail designs that feature a nude base are a great way to rock nail polish shades that don’t necessarily complement your skin tone. They also help tone down vibrant shades which may seem over the top when applied to the entire nail. From glitter and confetti to a chrome and metallic finish, you can pick from plenty of statement, sparkly details and textures to make your ombre nails perfect for special occasions. Additionally, you can opt for ombre nails with designs like hearts, clouds, and stars to create a masterpiece on your nails.
If you are looking for ombre nail art ideas that seamlessly transition from office-ready to ‘out and about’, we come bearing inspiration. So, ditch that appointment as we coach you on ways to get salon-esque ombre nails at home. You know the drill, keep scrolling!
How To Get Ombre Nails At Home
One of the many reasons for the dizzying popularity of the ombre manicure trend is just how easy it is to crack. Trying this trend doesn’t call for an elaborate shopping list or any expertise, well, not really. Here are the steps to follow.
- Grab two or more nail paints, preferably from the same colour family, and a damp makeup sponge.
- First, apply a layer of the base shade on your nail. We recommend opting for a pearly white or beige hue for the same.
- Now, add the other colours in vertical lines across the cross-section of the sponge.
- Make sure there’s no space between the shades. Stamp this sponge on your nail to create a seamless diffusion of colours.
- Remove any excess nail paint on the skin with a nail polish remover and a brush. Secure the ombre nail design with a top coat.
20 Unique Ombre Nail Ideas
1. The French Ombre
Paying homage to the origin of the trend, we feature French ombre first on our list. It is the perfect fit for people who want to jump on this trend bandwagon but aren’t big on bold colouring. The French ombre is subtle, romantic, and elegant – whether you are heading out for casual brunch or a formal party. To make your manicure look more pronounced, consider adding a sheer coat for the high-gloss shine or some sparkle for fun, maybe?
2. Hot Pink
From the Barbicore trend that led to an infatuation with all things pink to the timeless popularity of the hot pink shade – you cannot go wrong with this one. So, what are you waiting for? Give your nails a pretty pink manicure that they deserve this summer. This rendition of the ombre starts with a speck of hot pink on the tip, diffusing into a light pink near the cuticles.
3. Glitter Daze
Want to crank your nail game up a few levels? Dabble in some mani magic with this shimmery take on the ombre. Prep your nails with a base coat to ensure the longevity of your nail colour. Follow this up with a layer of petal pink or beige as your base and then proceed to knock yourself out with a shimmery gold for creating the ombre! Start dabbing the glitter from the nail tip and work your way, inwards – to the nail bed. It's the perfect pick for a night of partying at the club or even festivities.
4. Cotton Candy
We have a penchant for manicure ideas, detailing our love for snacks. Precisely why, the popular cotton candy ombre makes it to our list. Created with varying shades of peaches and cream – this manicure is trendy, chic, dreamy and has summer written all over it.
5. Statement Neon
Neon never goes out of style, no matter what the season. So, we are bringing this palette to our nails for a retelling of the cosmos’ stories. This manicure is reminiscent of the vast, beautiful sky with the sprinkling of glitter, acting like stars. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, the possibilities with neon in gorgeous ombre are endless.
6. Sunny Yellow
The perfect summer nails, this yellow ombre nail art is all you need for pool parties and vacations. Simply begin with a nude base and sponge on the brightest yellow nail polish you can find.
7. Emo Black
If you prefer the eco, punk, or scene aesthetic, this black ombre will complement your outfit and seamlessly match your vibe. You can choose a matte top coat to make the ombre nail design even more dramatic.
8. Happy Rainbow
While a descending ombre from the tip of the nail is a common choice, you can also try the vertical ombre style for a visually interesting look. The process pretty much remains the same, you simply have to apply the nail colours vertically.
9. Reflective Chrome
The chrome nail polish finish is a trendy statement look that looks great with glitzy weekend looks and even ethnic wear. You can use chrome nail colours to create an ombre effect or even mix metallic and creamy polishes.
10. Ocean Blues
Blue nails are very mermaid core and a great way to have nails that stand out without being too over-the-top. All you need is one light and one navy blue nail polish to rock this ombre nail design.
11. Vampirecore
Red and black are a classic combination if you want to exude a ‘baddie’ vibe or go for the Vampire-core aesthetic. You can pick the balance between red and black, but we love this ombre design with just a peak of black at the base.
12. Fun Galaxy
Since a lot of trends from the early 2000s seem to be making a comeback, this ombre design is a throwback to the times when anything and everything was galaxy-themed. After creating your ombre of orange, pink, deep purple, and black, simply flick white polish with an old toothbrush to create the white spots.
13. Lavender Haze
If you love soft lavender shades, this one is for you. All you need is lavender nail polish and a white base to create this ombre design that will match most outfits from casual to formal.
14. Cute Confetti
Love drama? Create ombre designs with confetti polish on nude nails for a subtle yet sparkly design. This is a must-try if you want pretty nails that complement your outfit without overshadowing it.
15. Vibrant Sunset
Inspired by the sunset blush trend that had a chokehold on the internet, these sunset ombre nails will put you right into vacation mode. It combines orange and pink hues to create the perfect warm-toned ombre.
16. Soft Pastel
Pastels have been popular for ages and they’re the best option for soft, romantic nails that will make you look and feel good. We love this matte ombre nail design that is as ‘I'm-just-a-girl core’ as it gets.
17. Mesmerising Aura
Aura nail art includes an ombre gradient that is most pigmented at the centre of the nail and fans out for a soft look. It is one of the top trends at the moment and refuses to die down.
18. Mirror Finish
Who needs to carry around a mirror when you can just make your nails do that? Jokes apart, this reflective mirror finish blue nail colour should be on your wishlist for a nail design that slays.
19. Chic Sparkles
You’d be lying if you said you don’t vie for blinged-out nails every now and then. They are a cute option to complement embellished ethnic wear and even beaded western gowns. All you need is a shimmer nail polish and a nude base.
20. Ethereal Clouds
You can opt for ombre nails with designs like this cloud and stars drawn over a gradient of blue. This creates an unmatched ethereal vibe.
Key Takeaway
Ombre nail designs are easy to create at home and only require a sponge and your favourite lacquers to ace the manicure. While the basic French ombre and dual-toned gradients are the most popular, you can create a variety of ombre nail designs to match your vibe and aesthetic. You can seal the ombre design with a glossy or matte top coat for different looks.
FAQs
-
What is ombre nail art?
The ombre nail design can include a gradient of a single colour over a nude or white base as well as a mix of two or more shades. A light colour is usually used for the base with a darker shade at the tip.
-
How to do the ombre design on nails?
Ombre gradient can be seamlessly created on the nails with the help of a sponge. Simply apply your preferred colours on a makeup sponge and dab it onto the nails. You will need a nail polish remover to clean up excess polish on the skin.
-
Are ombre nails trendy?
Yes! Ombre is a timeless nail art design that can be created with a variety of shades and textured nail lacquers for a trendy look.
-
What colours pair well for ombre nails?
You can pick any complementary or contrasting shades for the ombre effect. Here are some popular options:
- Orange + Pink
- Green + Blue
- Red + Black
- Purple + Pink
- Orange + Pink + Purple
- White + Blue
- Magenta + Pastel Pink
- Yellow + Nude
- Blue + Pink
- Teal + Navy Blue
-
Can you do an ombre design on short nails?
While the gradient face is more prominent on longer nails, you can definitely try a two-toned or vertical ombre design on short nails.
