There are so many shockingly easy nail designs you can DIY that will transform the look of your mani. Sometimes, though, you want to switch things up with something a bit more intricate. That’s where the swirl nail trend comes into play.
While you can absolutely create minimalist swirl nails at home, many swirl nail ideas are so layered and precise that they require the steadiness of a professional manicurist’s hand (or, at the very least, professional nail art tools like fine-lining nail art brushes and dotting pens) to come to live. Despite how long it can take to bring these groovy nail art ideas to life, there’s no denying that swirl nails add a certain je ne sais quoi to any ensemble. Ready to see for yourself? Ahead, find over a dozen swirl nail art ideas to inspire your next manicure.
Velvet Swirl Nails
Here, nail artist Jeanette Flores marries the swirl nail art trend with viral velvet nails. The result? A head-turning pop of color that stopped us in our tracks. To create the look, Flores used Charme Gel Soak-Off Cat Eye Gel Polish ($19) in the shades Athena, Venus, Apollo, Xanthe, Gaia, and Artemis.
Shimmer Swirl Nails
If you love the idea of sparkly swirl nails but prefer shimmer to velvet finishes, consider this colorful idea by nail artist Brittney Ellen. She used Cirque Colors Nail Polish ($15) in the shades Pele, Bird of Paradise, Shaka, Mermaid Grotto, Wipe Out, and Ohana for this set.
Mod Swirl Nails
Purple and burgundy may not seem like the most likely combo, but here, you can see how pretty the colors look when paired together. To recreate the look, start with your lightest colors (peach, baby blue, and lavender), then go in with the darker hues (black and burgundy). Apply the white stripe last to ensure it looks extra crisp.
Multicolor Negative Space Swirl Nails
How fun are the retro ’70s vibes of this multicolor negative space swirl nail idea? To create the look, nail artist Dayanna I. Sapiens used Gucci Glossy Nail Polish ($35) in Melinda Green, Dorothy Turquoise, Peggy Sunburn, Cecilia Ivory, and Lucy Baby Blue.
Abstract Neutral Swirl Nails
If you prefer less colorful nail looks, check out this more muted brown, white, and gold manicure. It’s among the easier swirl nail art ideas to recreate, as the swirls are quite abstract (meaning they’re harder to mess up). The trick to perfecting the thin lines is using a fine-lining nail art brush, like the Le Mini Macaron Le Petit Brush ($10).
Barbie Swirl Nails
Barbiemania continues to inspire fashion and beauty trends past the summer of 2023. With that in mind, take a peek at this Malibu Barbie-inspired swirl nail art idea. Considering the details in this look, you may want to book an appointment and bring this picture as inspo for your artist.
Blue Swirl French Tips
You don’t have to cover your nails from cuticle to tip to hop on the swirl bandwagon. Instead, consider a swirly approach to your French tips. Opting for a square silhouette will make it look even bolder.
Short Swirl Nails
The beauty of swirl nail art is that it doesn’t have to be showcased on long nails. Here, you can see how the trendy manicure looks on short nails.
Matte Black Swirl Nails
While many swirl nail art ideas incorporate multiple colors, here’s proof it can work with a single statement shade. Bonus: When you opt for a nude base with a single color (such as matte black) for swirls, it’s much more likely that you’ll be able to perfect the nail look on your own. Just be patient and get hands-on with a nail art brush.
Shades of Red Swirl Nails
This fun nail look combines the ombré gradient trend with swirls, and we’re here for it. While this example showcases shades of red, this manicure can be mastered in any color of the rainbow.
Electric Swirl Nails
BRB, we’re swooning over this vibrant electric blue and neon mani. For a similar look, use Manucurist Paris’ Quick Dry Intense Color ($14) in Ultramarine paired with Le Mini Macaron Gel Polish ($13) in Party Babe.
Halloween Swirl Nails
Speaking of neon yellow nails, turn your attention to this Halloween-friendly swirl manicure. With black, orange, baby blue, and neon yellow swirls atop a ghostly-white base, this nail look is perfect for the spooky season.
French Swirl Accents
Still thinking about Barbie? Here’s another way to incorporate hot pink into your swirl nail art. To recreate the look, snag bottles of the Gel Bottle Inc. Nail Polish ($21) in the shades BIAB19, Central Perk, Pastel V001, Carrie’s Cosmo, Miami, and Peach Shades.
Matte Contrast Swirl Nails
We love a dual-finish manicure, and this swirl nail look perfects it. While the pinkie and thumb feature a hint of gloss, the three middle fingers tout a moody matte finish.
Cool Ombré Swirl Nails
Pastel purple, lime green, and sky blue pair together beautifully, don’t you think? We love how the swirls in this nail look feature an ombré effect.
Simple Swirl Nails
Seeking a super simple swirl nail art idea? This lavender and plum manicure will take you less than 10 minutes to complete.
Chartreuse Swirl Mismatched Nails
Chartreuse is one of the hottest colors of 2023, and we love how it’s put to use in this swirly set. The exact shades used here are OPI Nail Lacquers ($12) in How Does Your Zen Garden Grow? and Pear-adise Cove.
Minimalist Green Swirl Nails
Here’s another swirl nail look for beginners and minimalist manicure lovers alike, featuring a milky base accented with light and dark green swirls and a few gemstones for good measure. Doesn’t get easier than that.
Psychedelic Swirl Nails
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have this super complex, delightfully trippy rainbow swirl nail art idea. No doubt about it: You’ll need to book an appointment to bring this beauty to life.
Groovy Pastel Swirl
Swirls don’t have to be thin—they can be chunky and bendy, too. Here, you can see how larger swirls create a groovier effect.
