Lisa Frank fades, sunset skies, glitter gradients, and more. From glitter fades to unicorn colors, there’s an ombré look for every nail mood. Click through our roundup here.
1. Unicorn Nails
Try this rainbow-faded glitter look to tap into your inner middle schooler. Lisa Frank would be proud.
2. Blush Nails
Don’t sleep on this Madeline Poole–approved nail trend. The rising look hails from Asia—as all cool nail art does—and fades out from the center for a pinched-cheek effect.
3. Chrome Ombré
Combine the latest nail trends, chrome and ombré, for this expert-level manicure.
4. Whole-Hand Gradient
Let’s start with the most basic style of ombré. This requires little skill—basically just knowing how to paint your nails. Choose five shades of polish that vary from lightest to darkest for a left-to-right ombré across each finger.
5. Glitter Fade
Another easy look is the glitter ombré. Paint your nails in your favorite shade and then apply a glitter-based polish to your tips. Lightly add more product to the middle of your nail, keeping it denser at the ends.
6. Individual Nail Gradient
For the true gradient look, check out this Instagram video by @ohmygoshpolish. Start with a white base coat and cover the surrounding skin with nail latex to protect from inevitable overspill. Apply your colors—lined up next to each other—on a makeup sponge and dab each onto your nail. Repeat and reapply polish until you receive your desired effect. Finish with a topcoat, which will act as a final ombré-ing tool, melting the colors together once more.
7. Vampy Ombré
For a seductive color combo, choose your go-to red with black edges.
8. Horizontal Ombré
The same effect also works horizontally, as with this sandy beach look.
9. Diagonal Ombré
Or diagonally, in this four-color combo inspired by Instagram’s logo.
10. Tape + Ombré
Tape off your half moon to combine a negative nail design with a pink ombré.
11. Negative Half-Moon Ombré
Or try another negative half moon, but edge the bottom with gold nail tape.
12. French Fade
For this muted French fade, you might have to head to the salon for an ombré gel nail.
