nails white and black

21 Beautiful Black and White Nails for Those Cool Girl Vibes

Within the vibrant realm of nail art, the timeless allure and adaptability of black and white combinations gracefully take the spotlight. Black and white nails, with their enduring monochromatic charm, serve as a limitless canvas for boundless creativity and self-expression. Whether embracing bold graphic designs, delicate patterns, or opting for minimalist elegance, the fusion of black and white on nails seamlessly delivers a sophisticated and attention-grabbing aesthetic. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 21 black and white nail ideas that will make your nails look stunning. Read on!

Black And White Simple Nail

This is a nail style that you can easily do at home—simple, quick, tidy, yet very striking. You can paint them in a checkerboard pattern with white on one finger and black on the next, or go for a monochromatic look with each hand in a different color. This design is perfect for everyday activities, comfortable, and effortlessly chic.

Black & White Flowers Nail

The contrast between black and white creates an elegant and sophisticated appearance, making intricate flower patterns stand out and become more captivating. A sophisticated flower nail design demands advanced nail art skills, catering to individuals who appreciate elegance and refinement. You can paint elaborate, detailed flowers such as lotus or orchids, achieving a look that is both intricate and luxurious.

Checkered Black And White Nail

A simple yet incredibly attractive nail style that any girl should give a try. On one hand, fingers adorned with checkered patterns are sure to spark curiosity. It also presents a youthful, dynamic image, showcasing your outgoing and cheerful personality. When doing a checkered pattern, it’s recommended not to cover the entire set of nails but rather focus on a few accent fingers. Applying it to the entire set not only creates confusion for onlookers but can sometimes give off an outdated appearance.

Black And White Cat Cute Nail

Black and white cat cute nails” is a nail design that carries numerous positive meanings and adorableness. If you are a pet lover, especially of cats, this nail design can be a way to express your affection and connection with your furry friend. It reflects love and cuteness towards animals, particularly cats, often considered adorable and intelligent companions. It is suitable for those who want to shine and showcase uniqueness through their nails.

Cow Print Black And White Nail

When the classic black and white colors come to mind, many people immediately think of the iconic image of a Holstein cow. Ever wondered if this distinctive pattern could inspire nail designs? Cow print nails create a unique focal point, similar to checkered patterns, but with a more fluid and sleek appearance. This nail style reveals your cheerful personality, a penchant for the unconventional, and a desire to stand out. Whether you lean towards a gentle or bold style, and whether you’re in your youthful or middle-aged years, you can effortlessly rock this nail trend. Moo-ve over, ordinary nails.

Black And White Rhinestone Nail

For those who seek more than simplicity, consider the alluring and sophisticated rhinestone-studded nail style. Caution is essential during the creation of this design to avoid overwhelming effects from excessive embellishments. This versatile nail style suits both the youthful and those young at heart, providing an elegant touch and the potential for a slimming effect. Careful selection of neutral-toned, petite stones is crucial to maintain a balanced aesthetic. The chosen rhinestones can subtly complement your skin tone, resulting in a tasteful and refined look suitable for both mature and trendy individuals.

 Black And White Nails with Glitter

Many people often assume that incorporating glitter into nail art may appear dated and lack a modern touch. However, the fusion of black and white with a tasteful hint of glitter can elevate your nail aesthetics, making them appear luxurious and stylish. Opt for a nail polish with fine, subtle glitter, and enhance the overall look by strategically adding glimmer to specific nails or accentuating with larger glitter particles resembling metallic threads. This approach not only adds a touch of glamor but also ensures a chic and refined appearance. 

Black and White Glass Nail

Black and White Glass Nail is a captivating and sophisticated nail style that combines the classic black and white colors with sparkling glass accents. It’s a perfect choice for special occasions or individuals looking to express their personality. This nail style is incredibly easy to achieve – just paint the base in either black or white and then add the glass accents to the nails. You can use glass in black, white, or any other color of your preference. 

Black and White With Striped Patterns Nail 

This nail design is deemed to be exceptionally suitable for office ladies or students, featuring a black and white combination complemented by striped patterns. With the recent rise of the Korean-style nail art trend, many women have decided to “procure” for themselves a nail design with just two colors, black and white, paired with straight-line patterns. This nail style has been trending since then and shows no signs of cooling down. So, why hesitate? Go ahead and own a set of nails like this!

Simple Yet Elegant Black And White Nail

Create a chic and sophisticated look with simple yet elegant black and white nails. Apply a sleek black polish as the base on all your nails. For a touch of refinement, add a single white stripe down the center of each nail, creating a minimalistic and timeless design. This classic combination of black and white exudes sophistication and versatility, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether you prefer a matte or glossy finish, these black and white nails are effortlessly stylish and will complement any outfit with ease.

Black and White Chanel Rhinestone Nail

Black and White Chanel Rhinestone Nails are an elegant and sophisticated nail style that exudes the distinctive style of the luxury fashion brand Chanel. This nail design typically incorporates the dominant colors of black and white, combined with intricate rhinestone details. There are numerous ways to customize the Black and White Chanel Rhinestone Nail design to suit individual preferences and styles. You can paint the nails white and add black rhinestones around the edges or paint the nails black and embellish with white rhinestones in the middle.

 Unique Black and White Stone Patterned Nail

This can be considered a unique and distinctive nail trend, creating a striking effect for your nails. The combination of black and white colors along with stone-like patterns produces a visually appealing design, reminiscent of gazing at precious quartz stones in nature. The patterns of the black and white stone-patterned nails are meticulously and delicately crafted on the nail surface, providing an interesting sensation. Stone patterns can vary, such as cloud-like patterns, sparkling stone patterns, or abstract designs, depending on your creativity and personal style.

Black And White French Nail

Black and white French nails are a classic and widely popular nail style, bringing an elegant and sophisticated beauty. This nail design typically uses black and white as the main colors, with the tips of the nails painted in either white or black. Suitable for various occasions, from work and casual outings to parties, this nail style can be customized to your preferences by adjusting the width of the white tips or incorporating different patterns, such as stripes, floral motifs, or embellishments.

Black And White Polka Dot Nails

Black and white polka dot nails are a cute and feminine nail style, offering a youthful and dynamic appearance. This nail design typically features black and white as the main colors, with black or white polka dots drawn or dotted onto the nails. It suits all ages and occasions, and you can personalize this style based on your preferences by varying the size and color of the polka dots or incorporating other patterns, such as floral motifs or embellishments.

Crescent Moon Black And White Nail

Crescent moon black and white nails epitomize sophistication, elegance, and refinement. This nail design seamlessly blends two contrasting colors, creating a visually appealing and harmonious overall look. In this nail style, the tips of the nails are painted in either black or white, forming a crescent moon shape. The remaining part of the nails is painted in the opposite color. Your choice of a black or white base can be tailored to match your personal preferences.

Black And White Curved Stripe Nail

With this nail style, the curved stripes are drawn horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, creating a unique and impressive visual effect. You can choose a black or white background color according to your preference. The black and white curved stripe nails are a nail style that brings a dynamic and distinctive beauty. This nail design harmoniously combines two contrasting colors, creating an overall look that is harmonious and eye-catching. You can enhance this style by incorporating different patterns such as stripes, floral motifs, or embellishments, creating a unique and impressive nail set.

Black and White Teen Star Nail

Black and White Teen Star Nails may refer to a specially designed nail style for teenagers. Typically, these nail designs will use black and white as the primary colors, possibly combined with patterns, drawings, or accents to create a bold and interesting design.However, the specific meaning of “Teen Star Nails” depends on the specific context or the particular nail design trend being referred to. “Teen Star” could indicate a popular or trendy nail style within the teenage community, and “Black and White” simply represents the dominant colors of the design.

White and Black Tiger Print Nail

Using a predominant palette of black and white, “White and Black Tiger Print Nails” may refer to a nail design featuring a tiger print pattern. This design creates a blend of the pristine and sophisticated white with the alluring and powerful black, accentuated by the dynamic tiger print.

The meaning can be subjective and context-dependent. It could symbolize strength, independence, or simply serve as a personal fashion statement that the individual wishes to express.

Black And White Pretty Kitties Nail

The cute black and white kitten nail design brings forth a charming, feminine, and sophisticated look. This design seamlessly combines the harmonious blend of black and white colors, creating an overall appealing and intriguing appearance. In this nail style, the image of an adorable kitten is either hand-drawn or printed directly onto the nails using creative techniques. You can choose between drawing or printing a white or black kitten image, depending on your personal preference.

Black Base With White Skulls And Crossbones

A timeless and beginner-friendly nail design involves starting with a sleek black base and embellishing it with iconic white skulls and crossbones. After applying the black polish, employ a toothpick or a nail art brush to skillfully craft the intricate details of the skulls and crossbones using white nail polish. This classic and straightforward approach ensures a stylish and edgy result.

Black And White Nail Yin Yang Moon

The simplest design involves dividing the nails in half, with one side painted black and the other side white. Draw a straight line down the middle of the nail, symbolizing the balance of yin and yang. You can enhance the duality of your design by adding some details, such as patterns on the black or white background. For instance, you could draw lotus flowers on the black side or crescent moons on the white side. Black and white yin yang nails are an excellent choice for any occasion. They can be worn alone or paired with other nail designs for a stylish combination.

Conclusion 

Black and white nails, a prevailing trend, showcase an exquisite blend of two contrasting colors, evoking elegance and sophistication. The versatility of designs, ranging from simple to intricate, allows individuals to express their unique style. Achieving these patterns at home is made simple with a touch of skill and precision. The beauty of black and white nails lies in their capacity to exude sophistication, making them a perfect match for various occasions and outfits. If you’re seeking a nail style suitable for any occasion, black and white nails are a perfect choice for you.

THE HISTORY AND TUTORIAL OF AUTHENTIC 1940S MAKEUP

1940s makeup is one of the most “vintage” looks, and is rather simple to recreate. There was a push for all things natural, unlike the 1930s and 1950s, which favored reshaping eyebrows and contouring the face. 1940s makeup enhanced natural beauty with just a few tools.

During the war, European women dealt with huge cosmetics shortages, since petroleum and alcohol – some of the main ingredients in makeup at the time – were used for the war effort. When makeup ran out, women turned to home remedies to substitute, such as using beetroot juice to stain lips and petroleum jelly to darken lashes and shape eyebrows.

In the United States, cosmetics continued to be manufactured throughout the war and were seen by the government as a morale booster for the busy women on the home front. Women were encouraged to wear makeup all the time to hide sadness and attract men, even while at work. Athletes even wore makeup. Color films had a big impact on the market, as women could now imitate the shades worn by Hollywood starlets. By 1948, between 80 and 90 percent of women wore lipstick, two thirds wore rouge, and a quarter wore eye makeup.

The 1940s makeup look exudes classic sophistication and is surprisingly easy to recreate. The emphasis was on a flawless, fresh-faced appearance—natural, never overly done. Less was definitely more, which worked out well, especially during the war years when many women had to make do with fewer products and resources.

Although the final result seems simple, a woman’s 1940s makeup routine could take some time—quick five-minute makeup wasn’t a thing! The process began with applying and blending thick foundation. Women were encouraged to shape their face with both light and dark shades of foundation—darker tones could be used to contour areas like a large nose, broad forehead, or square jaw, while lighter shades on the cheeks would add a fuller, plumper appearance.

Next, eye shadow was applied, followed by moist rouge. This was often used not only for color but also for subtle shaping, always ensuring the look remained natural. Afterward, a generous application of powder was pressed into the face with a large velour or wool puff. The powder was applied heavily to ensure a matte finish, covering the entire face. Excess powder was then brushed away with a powder brush to reveal a smooth, polished look.

If the moist rouge needed extra reinforcement, a powdered version was applied on top of the powder. The final steps included defining the eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil, applying mascara for fuller lashes, and finishing with the signature bold lipstick.

What You’ll Need:

  • Foundation: Choose a shade that closely matches your skin tone.
  • Powder: Loose powder that matches your skin tone to set the foundation.
  • Cream Rouge: Go for a rose-pink cream rouge (avoid powder if possible, unless that’s all you have).
  • Eyebrow Pencil: Choose a pencil that matches your natural brow color, or one shade darker than your hair.
  • Eye Shadow: (Optional, for evening wear) Use matte shadows that match your eye color—avoid shimmer.
  • Mascara: Dark brown or black mascara, or you can even use petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) for a more subtle lash effect.
  • Lipstick: A classic, matte red lipstick for that bold, vintage look.

1940s Foundation and Powder

Foundations in the 1940s were quite different from today’s lightweight options. There were fewer shades available, and most foundations had a pinkish tint, which worked well for white women, but wasn’t always suitable for women of color. Many Black women, for instance, either mixed their own makeup or often went without powder.

Foundations during this time were much thicker and creamier compared to today’s formulations. Liquid foundations as we know them didn’t exist, and the creamier formulas helped provide a fuller coverage. Face powder, which was essential, was used to set the foundation and keep the face matte throughout the day. It matched the skin tone but was also used to help the foundation adhere better to the face—foundation alone would often cause powder to slip off.

The foundation and powder were extended down the neck and onto the blouse or dress line, as it was common for the foundation shade to not perfectly match the skin on the rest of the body. This helped create a seamless, blended look.

Tip: For a smooth application, lightly coat your face with baby oil (or mineral oil) before applying foundation. This helps create a smooth base and allows the foundation to blend more easily.

1940S FACE POWDER

Powders should match your natural skin tone as much as possible. Light shades kept a woman looking fresh and youthful, while a slightly bronzed shade added a sun kissed glow, popular with movie stars. Almost all makeup lines carried a sun kissed color or two.

If you are over 40, your skin is prone to yellowing, in which case a powder with a pink tinge will work better for you.  To apply, use a puff to dust your face all over and then brush from the neck up to the forehead. Only brush down once to finish and smooth out face fuzz.

Tip: A fluffy face puff makes a difference. Don’t use compressed powder with a flat pad for early 1940s looks. Pan-cake compressed makeup came out in the mid 1940s with big success. To women who could afford it, it provided more coverage applied in less time. Just remember to always brush up, never down.

1940s Blush

In the 1940s, blush (referred to as rouge) was applied sparingly to create a natural, rosy glow. The shades of rouge were limited, typically ranging from peach and coral to raspberry tones, with darker shades for those with bronze or deeper skin tones. Cream rouge (moist rouge) was the preferred choice, giving a more natural look, and was often blended directly into the foundation. Powdered rouges were also used lightly over the cheeks to give a soft flush.

Although rouge was an important part of the look, it wasn’t strictly necessary for achieving the 1940s style. You could still achieve the desired effect without it.

Tip: If you can’t find cream rouge, a light matte lipstick in a pink or peach shade works well. Simply apply it with your fingers, dab it on the cheeks, and blend it in until it seamlessly matches your skin tone.

Cream or liquid rouges were sometimes found in theatrical costume makeup stores and, in modern times, can be found in some makeup brands on platforms like Amazon.

1940s Eyebrows

The 1940s eyebrows were a continuation of the 1930s style, with thin, beautifully arched brows being the key feature. Eyebrows were kept natural-looking, with only stray hairs removed to maintain a soft, even arch. The arch itself was well-groomed but not overly thin—most women didn’t over-pluck.

Eyebrows were often defined with a pencil that was slightly darker than the hair color, or some women simply applied a bit of petroleum jelly to keep the brows in place and enhance their natural shape. For daywear, this softer look was more common, while in the evening, brows might be more defined.

As the decade progressed, the full, more defined brows of the late ’40s began to take hold, but they were never as thick as modern-day brows.

1940s Eye Makeup

Eye makeup in the 1940s was quite minimal, especially during the daytime. Most women wore just a light coat of mascara, often in dark brown or black. Some even used petroleum jelly (Vaseline) to achieve a subtle lash definition. Mascara came in different forms—liquid, paste, or cake—often built up by adding a little water or spit to the cake to get the desired consistency. Mascara was applied to both the upper and lower lashes for a fuller look.

For evening looks, eye shadow could be used, but only in neutral tones. The colors were typically chosen to match the eye color—blue-grey for blue eyes, grey for green eyes, and brown for brown or hazel eyes. The eyeshadow was applied in a single color, blended from the lash line up to the brow for an elegant and simple look. No smoky eyes or contouring here—just one shade blended well. For evening looks, sometimes silver or gold was added to create a little extra glamour.

Eyeliner wasn’t commonly used in the early 1940s; it was considered too harsh and “fake-looking.” It didn’t make an appearance until the late ’40s, and even then, it was applied only to the top lash line.

1940s Lipstick

Lips were the focal point of 1940s makeup, especially during the war years, when red lipstick was seen as a mood booster. Lipstick shades varied from bluish reds to orange-toned reds, but they were all red! Bright pinks weren’t worn until the 1950s, so reds were a constant. In the fall, red lipstick tended to get darker, and in the spring, it lightened up a bit.

Most lipsticks of the time were matte, and women were advised to moisturize their lips before applying. After applying lipstick, they would often blot their lips with a tissue to ensure the color stayed put. By 1948, lipstick pencils were introduced, allowing for a more precise application and a perfect outline around the lips.

The ideal lip shape was full and even, with a smooth contour on the top and bottom lips. The “Hunter’s Bow” lip shape, popularized by Joan Crawford, involved slightly over-drawing the lips to make them appear plumper. However, actresses like Lauren Bacall and Ingrid Bergman embraced their naturally thin lips and didn’t over-draw them.

Tip: To achieve a perfectly shaped lip, start with the cupid’s bow and draw the pencil out to the corners of the mouth. Fill in with lipstick and gently rub your lips together to ensure an even finish. Touch up any uneven spots on the bottom lip.

1940s Fingernail Polish

In the 1940s, nails were always neatly trimmed, often filed into a long oval shape. During wartime, nails were kept a bit shorter for safety, but they were still manicured regularly. Cuticles were carefully trimmed and moisturized for a polished look.

Nail polish in the ’40s was almost always red, and matching your nails to your lipstick was the norm. Other shades like pink, coral, rose, and burgundy were also popular. A clear topcoat was always used for durability, and some women embraced the “half-moon” style, where the base of the nail (around the cuticle) was left unpainted.

Tip: To create a half-moon shape on your nails, apply paper reinforcements to the base of each nail, aligning the top of the hole with the cuticle. Paint your nails, then remove the reinforcements before the polish fully dries for a neat, vintage look.

1940s Makeup Products to Buy Today

To create an authentic 1940s look today, you don’t need a complicated routine. A bit of face powder, black mascara, well-defined brows, and red lipstick will give you that classic, vintage style. Modern makeup tends to have more shine and glitter, but for a true 1940s look, opt for matte products—especially for your lips, cheeks, and eyes.

Tip: Many modern makeup lines offer matte formulas, but brands like Revlon and Max Factor (which were popular in the 1940s) still offer products that capture that vintage style. Besame is another brand that specializes in recreating vintage makeup colors and formulas from the ’40s.

For a more subtle daytime look, keep your makeup light—just a dusting of powder, a touch of blush, and a swipe of mascara. For a more dramatic evening or pinup style, go heavier on the lipstick and mascara, and use a little more rouge for that retro glam.