23 Trendy Acrylic Nail Colors and Ideas: French Tip, Long Square, and More

Acrylic nails are the perfect canvas for creative expression. From bold solid colors to intricate French tips, the world of acrylic nail colors offers something for every mood and occasion. Whether you’re looking for short square nails that are cute and practical or long almond shapes that feel dramatic and classy, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. In this article, I’ll explore some of the most popular acrylic nail designs, reviewing each look with detailed descriptions, professional advice, and how-to tips for recreating these stunning styles at home.

Green and White Swirl Art

This acrylic nail design is a perfect example of unique artistry, featuring a vibrant green base with abstract white swirls. The look strikes a balance between simple and trendy, making it ideal for anyone looking to make a statement without being too bold. The nails are medium-length, giving them versatility for everyday wear, while the solid color background keeps things playful.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “I’m Sooo Swamped” (green)
  • White nail art polish for the swirl design
  • Top coat: Seche Vite Dry Fast
  • Nail art brush for precision

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Start by prepping your nails with a base coat.
   2. Apply two coats of your green polish, letting each coat dry fully.
   3. Use a thin nail art brush to create white swirls across the surface. Keep the lines soft and flowing.
   4. Seal everything with a top coat for a glossy finish.

Orange Ombre with Leopard Accent

Next, we have a stunning ombre design with a soft baby blue and orange gradient that exudes a warm, holiday vibe. The leopard accents in bright orange bring a girly and playful edge to the look. These nails are perfect for a holiday or a special occasion, giving off that chic, vacation-ready feel.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: Essie “Tart Deco” (orange)
  • Ombre sponge
  • Leopard print nail sticker or hand-drawn accent
  • Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. After applying your base coat, use the sponge technique to create a smooth ombre effect.
   2. Add leopard accents using either a nail sticker or by drawing the spots freehand with a small brush.
   3. Finish with a glossy top coat to keep everything in place.

Bold Green and Nude French Combo

This long square nail design brings together two classic looks: French tips and a bold green solid color. The alternating patterns between nude and green nails add depth and sophistication. This is the perfect set for someone who loves classy designs but isn’t afraid to add a splash of color.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Bubble Bath” (nude)
  • Green polish: Chanel “Verde Pastello”
  • French tip guide stickers for precision
  • High-shine top coat

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply a base coat, followed by a nude polish on alternating nails.
   2. On the remaining nails, use French tip guide stickers and paint bold green tips.
   3. Once dry, apply a top coat to lock in the shine and detail.

Pink and Glitter Ombre

This beautiful ombre set merges a soft pink base with a glittery gradient, perfect for anyone looking to add a little sparkle to their acrylic nail colors. The long almond shape complements the girly and cute aesthetic, making this a must-try design for those who love pretty nail art.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Mod About You” (pink)
  • Glitter: ORLY “Prisma Gloss Silver”
  • Ombre sponge
  • Nail file to shape into almond

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Start with your pink base color, letting it dry completely.
   2. Using the sponge, gently dab glitter polish starting from the tips, blending toward the middle.
   3. Finish with a top coat to smooth out the gradient and give a high-shine finish.

Multi-Colored Modern Nails

If you love experimenting with color, this long square design is perfect. Each nail features a different solid color, ranging from baby blue to grey, creating a unique and modern look. These nails offer endless ideas for those who want to embrace bold colors while keeping it simple and chic.

Consumables Needed:

• • Colors: Essie “Mint Candy Apple” (blue), OPI “Taupe-less Beach” (grey), Essie “Bachelorette Bash” (pink), etc.
  • Top coat: Essie Gel Setter

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply a different polish to each nail, making sure each coat is smooth and opaque.
   2. Seal the colors with a long-lasting top coat for durability.
   3. For an even more polished look, match your outfit with one of the colors on your nails.

Burgundy Waves with Nude Accent

This bold acrylic nail design features a rich burgundy color with a modern, wavy accent on a nude base. The color contrast gives a classy and elegant vibe, perfect for a formal occasion or just to elevate your everyday style. The nail shape is long square, making the waves even more noticeable while keeping the overall design minimalistic yet impactful.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Bare My Soul” (nude)
  • Burgundy polish: Essie “Berry Naughty”
  • Thin nail art brush for creating waves
  • Seche Vite Top Coat for a high-gloss finish

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Start with a nude base and let it dry fully.
   2. Using a thin brush, paint the wavy lines with the burgundy polish, starting from the sides and curving toward the middle.
   3. Once dry, apply a glossy top coat to seal and protect the design.

Red Poppy Flower Accent

For a girly yet artistic approach, this red poppy flower design on an almond-shaped nail exudes elegance. The delicate floral accents hand-painted on a solid color base add depth and dimension to the look, while the bright red polish keeps things pretty and attention-grabbing.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Big Apple Red”
  • Nail art brush for detailed flowers
  • Green and black nail polishes for accents
  • Top coat: Essie Gel Setter

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply the red polish to all nails, leaving one accent nail for the floral design.
   2. Using a fine brush, paint the petals of the flower, starting with the red base and adding details with black and green.
   3. Seal everything with a top coat to ensure long-lasting wear.

Pastel Blue Ombre with Lace Accent

Soft and cute, this short square nail design is all about the delicate baby blue ombre with a lace accent. The pastel tones offer a calm and serene vibe, making this design ideal for spring or as a subtle addition to your wardrobe. The lace adds a unique texture and an element of surprise to the look.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “It’s a Boy!” (light blue)
  • Ombre sponge for gradient effect
  • Lace nail sticker for texture
  • Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Top Coat

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply a pastel blue base to the nails.
   2. Use a sponge to create a soft gradient from the cuticle to the tip.
   3. Add the lace accent on one nail for a textured finish, sealing with a top coat.

Mint French Tips with Glitter Accent

This long almond shape nails design combines French tips with a soft pink glittery base, bringing a simple yet festive feel to the look. The pastel mint tips paired with the sparkle make it a trendy option for anyone wanting a classy nail style that stands out while remaining elegant.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: Essie “Ballet Slippers”
  • Mint polish for French tips: Sally Hansen “Mint Sorbet”
  • Fine glitter polish for accent
  • Top coat: CND Vinylux

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply the glitter polish as your base, letting it dry completely.
   2. Using French tip stickers, paint the mint polish on the tips.
   3. Finish with a top coat to lock in the sparkle and shine.

Pink with Black French Tips

This design is a bold take on the classic French tip, replacing the traditional white with black tips on a pale pink base. The long square nails create a sharp, structured look while still keeping things simple and classy. This style is perfect for anyone looking for trendy acrylic nail colors that offer a bit of an edge.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Bubble Bath” (pale pink)
  • Black polish: Chanel “Black Satin”
  • French tip guides for precision
  • Seche Vite Top Coat

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Paint all nails with a soft pink base.
   2. Once dry, apply French tip guides and paint the tips black.
   3. Finish with a high-gloss top coat to make the black tips pop.

Aqua Pink Swirl Combo

This vibrant long square design is the epitome of a girly, trendy look. With alternating baby blue and pink swirls, the design brings energy and brightness to your nails. The high-gloss finish makes the colors pop, and the swirl patterns are playful yet elegant, giving the nails a cute but sophisticated edge. These nails would be perfect for a holiday or just as a statement piece to elevate any casual outfit.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: Essie “Ballet Slippers” (nude pink)
  • Swirl colors: Sally Hansen “Blue Me Away” (blue) and OPI “Shorts Story” (pink)
  • Thin nail art brush for swirl details
  • Seche Vite Top Coat for a glossy finish

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply a nude base coat to all nails.
   2. Using a thin nail art brush, create alternating swirls with baby blue and pink polishes.
   3. Seal the design with a glossy top coat to ensure longevity and shine.

Watermelon Gradient with Speckles

This long square acrylic nail design is inspired by a juicy watermelon, featuring a pink-to-green ombre with black speckles. The bright solid colors make it a fun and quirky look, perfect for the summer or a playful occasion. The simple yet creative design works well with long nails to fully display the gradient.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: Essie “Watermelon” (pink)
  • Gradient green color: Essie “Mojito Madness”
  • Speckle polish: China Glaze “Fairy Dust”
  • Ombre sponge for gradient effect
  • Top coat: Sally Hansen Miracle Gel

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Use a sponge to apply a gradient effect from pink at the cuticle to green at the tips.
   2. Add speckles using a dotting tool or speckle polish to mimic watermelon seeds.
   3. Finish with a glossy top coat to protect the design.

Black and Yellow Duo

This bold combination of solid color black and yellow nails offers a striking contrast. The long square shape enhances the chicness of the design. The yellow nails feature tiny speckles, adding a touch of texture and uniqueness. This set is perfect for someone who loves classy but trendy nails with a bit of an edge.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base colors: OPI “Black Onyx” (black) and Essie “Sunshine State of Mind” (yellow)
  • Speckle polish for yellow nails
  • Top coat: Seche Vite Top Coat

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply black and yellow polish on alternating nails.
   2. Add speckle details on the yellow nails using a fine brush or polish with built-in texture.
   3. Seal the design with a top coat to give a smooth finish.

Neon Pink and Chrome Accent

This long square nail design brings together a girly neon pink with a stunning chrome accent nail. The solid pink nails create a bold and classy statement, while the chrome finish adds a unique modern twist. The accent nail features rhinestones for extra sparkle, making this set perfect for special occasions or to complement a glamorous outfit.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Pink Flamenco”
  • Chrome powder for accent nails
  • Rhinestones for decoration
  • Nail glue for rhinestones
  • Top coat: CND Vinylux

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Paint all nails with neon pink except for the accent nail.
   2. Apply chrome powder to the accent nail and seal it with a top coat.
   3. Add rhinestones using nail glue and finish with a top coat for durability.

Black and Blue Marble with Gold Foil

This striking long almond nail design merges acrylic nail colors of black, blue, and marble effects with gold foil accents. The combination of matte and glossy finishes adds dimension to the nails, making this design feel trendy and unique. Perfect for those who want a bold, artistic look.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base colors: OPI “Black Onyx” (black) and Essie “Butler Please” (blue)
  • Gold foil sheets for accents
  • Matte top coat: Essie Matte About You
  • Nail art brush for marble effect

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply black and blue polish to alternating nails.
   2. Create the marble effect by blending black and blue polishes with a thin brush, adding gold foil accents.
   3. Seal the marble nails with a glossy top coat and the black nails with a matte top coat for contrast.

Soft Lavender Gradient with Floral Accent

This long square design is soft, elegant, and subtle. The blend of light lavender and baby pink creates a delicate ombre effect, while the floral accents at the base of the nail add a girly and classy touch. This look is perfect for both casual outings and special events, combining cute charm with understated elegance.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Mod About You” (light pink)
  • Lavender polish: Essie “Lilacism”
  • Nail art glue and small floral appliques
  • Seche Vite Top Coat

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply a light pink base, then blend lavender polish from the tips to create the gradient effect.
   2. Attach floral appliques near the cuticle using nail glue.
   3. Seal with a glossy top coat to lock in the design.

Solid Lilac

For a simple yet trendy look, this long almond shape design focuses on a solid lilac color. The high-shine finish elevates the solid color, making it feel fresh and polished. This minimal design works perfectly for anyone seeking a clean, modern manicure that still feels girly and pretty.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: Essie “Play Date” (lilac)
  • Top coat: Essie Gel Setter

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply two coats of lilac polish for full opacity.
   2. Finish with a high-shine top coat to enhance the gloss and longevity.

Neon Green Flames on Nude Base

This bold long square design combines a nude base with neon green flames for a dramatic and trendy look. The colored flame accents give the nails a fiery, unique flair, making this design perfect for anyone wanting to stand out with a daring nail look.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Bare My Soul” (nude)
  • Neon green polish: China Glaze “I’m With The Lifeguard”
  • Thin nail art brush for precision

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply a nude base coat, then use a thin nail art brush to create flame patterns with neon green polish.
   2. Seal with a top coat for a long-lasting finish.

Blue Zebra French Tip

This short square design takes the classic French tip and updates it with a blue zebra-print twist. The combination of solid blue nails and a patterned accent makes this design a fun, playful take on the French style. Perfect for those looking for inspo on modernizing traditional styles with a bit of edge.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: Essie “Marshmallow” (white)
  • Blue polish: Essie “Butler Please”
  • Thin brush for creating zebra stripes

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply white polish as your base.
   2. Use a fine brush to paint blue zebra stripes on the French tips.
   3. Finish with a top coat to keep everything smooth and shiny.

Neon Green and Pink Ombre French

This long almond design is a fresh take on the French tip, combining a neon green and pink ombre effect with a classic white tip. The gradient between the colored tones creates a playful yet sophisticated look, ideal for summer or brightening up your nail collection.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Bubble Bath” (pink)
  • Ombre colors: China Glaze “I’m With The Lifeguard” (neon green) and Essie “Funky Limelight” (pink)
  • French tip guides

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply a soft pink base and use a sponge to create an ombre effect with neon green and pink.
   2. Add French tip guides and paint the tips white for a clean finish.
   3. Seal with a top coat to protect the ombre and enhance shine.

Pink Chrome Accents on Nude Base

This short square nail design features a nude base with bold, metallic pink chrome accents. The chrome adds a futuristic and trendy feel to an otherwise classy and simple look. These nails strike the perfect balance between being cute and edgy, making them great for any event that calls for a standout look.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: OPI “Put It In Neutral” (nude)
  • Pink chrome powder for accent
  • Nail art brush for chrome application
  • Top coat: CND Vinylux

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply two coats of nude polish as a base.
   2. Use a nail art brush to carefully apply pink chrome powder in abstract shapes across the nail.
   3. Seal with a high-shine top coat to lock in the chrome finish.

Lilac Ombre

This long square design showcases a soft lilac ombre that fades into a pale, translucent tip. The simple yet classy look is perfect for anyone who enjoys minimalist, pastel tones with a high-shine finish. This design is delicate and ideal for any season, blending soft acrylic nail colors with a girly touch.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base color: Essie “Ballet Slippers” (pale pink)
  • Lilac polish: OPI “Do You Lilac It?”
  • Ombre sponge for gradient effect
  • Seche Vite Top Coat

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply a light pink base coat and allow it to dry.
   2. Using an ombre sponge, blend lilac polish from the tip toward the base for a soft fade.
   3. Seal with a top coat to enhance the smooth gradient.

Sunset Ombre with Leaf Design

This striking long square design features an ombre in vibrant shades of orange and blue, resembling a tropical sunset. The design is enhanced by subtle leaf patterns across the gradient, adding depth and a touch of nature-inspired art. The shimmer polish creates a soft glow, making this a unique and artistic design that’s perfect for summer.

Consumables Needed:

• • Base colors: OPI “Tangerine Dream” (orange) and Essie “Butler Please” (blue)
  • Shimmer polish for added sparkle
  • Nail art brush for leaf design

How to Achieve the Look:

1. 1. Apply the orange and blue polishes in an ombre gradient.
   2. Use a fine nail art brush to paint delicate leaf shapes across the nails.
   3. Seal with a top coat to lock in the design and add shine.