red carpet nail colors

30 BEST PROM NAIL IDEAS FOR A MEMORABLE NIGHT

Prom night is all about glitz, glamour, and making unforgettable memories. Your nails are an often-overlooked but crucial part of your overall look. They can elevate your style and add that perfect finishing touch. Whether you’re a minimalist or a maximalist, there’s a nail design out there to match your personality. Get ready to be inspired by these 30 stunning prom nail ideas that will make your night truly unforgettable! Let’s dive into the world of nail art and find the perfect look for your prom!

FLORAL FRENCH TIPS

Floral French tips are a delicate and romantic choice for prom night. This design combines the classic elegance of a French manicure with the feminine charm of floral accents, creating a look that is both sophisticated and playful.

GOLD AND CREAM 

Gold and cream nails exude timeless elegance and sophistication. This classic color combination creates a luxurious look that is perfect for prom night, allowing you to shine without being overly flashy.

MISMATCHED FLOWER NAILS

Flower nails are ideal for prom—like a bouquet you can flaunt long after the event! For this look, draw inspiration from the Loving You Dusty Purple Floral Print Long Sleeve Wrap Maxi Dress. Apply the floral print on one or two bare nails as your canvas, and pair them with your favorite solid colors on the remaining nails for a stylish mix-and-match effect.

BOLD STILETTO 

Bold stiletto nails are the perfect statement for prom, adding an edgy touch to your look. Their sharp, elongated shape creates a dramatic contrast that stands out with any outfit, from sleek gowns to glamorous dresses. 

PASTEL POLKA DOTS

Pastel polka dots are a playful and youthful choice for prom night. This design is idea for capturing the carefree spirit of the evening while still looking polished and put-together.

AQUAMARINE DREAM 

An aquamarine dream is a stunning choice for nail ideas for prom. This ethereal blue hue evokes images of the ocean and sky, creating a look that is both calming and captivating. 

BLUEBERRY MILK FRENCH TIPS

This French tip manicure in two shades of blue offers a charming, tonal design that’s both bright and breezy. To achieve the look, use a jelly polish and an opaque polish in complementary blue hues. The key to this manicure is thorough nail prep—ensure your nails are completely smooth for the best results.

SUBTLE RAINBOW 

Subtle rainbow nails add a delicate pop of color with a soft, understated gradient. Perfect for those who want a hint of whimsy without overwhelming their look, this design blends gentle hues for a sophisticated, yet playful touch.

GREEN FLOWER NAIL ART

Soft green flowers are ideal for a cottagecore prom look, offering a dainty and elegant touch. Simple to create with a dotting tool for the petals and centers, they provide a charming accent to your favorite neutral or translucent polish.

LONG NEUTRAL ALMOND 

Long neutral almond nails are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. This classic shape elongates the fingers, creating a polished and refined look. The neutral color palette provides a versatile base that can be dressed up or down.

RAINBOW NAIL TIPS

Brighten up your look with soft pastel rainbows at the tips of your nails! This cheerful manicure can be tailored to complement the colors of your prom dress. Ideal for both printed and monochrome dresses, you can match the rainbow hues to the various shades in your dress or choose complementary colors for a cohesive look.

ALMOND OMBRE 

Almond ombre nails offer a sophisticated blend of subtle tones that seamlessly transition from light to dark. This elegant design enhances the natural shape of your nails with a chic, gradient effect that pairs beautifully with any prom outfit.

PEARL ACCENTED NAILS

Pearl-accented nails add a touch of timeless elegance and sophistication to any prom look. Whether you choose delicate pearl embellishments or a full-on pearl manicure, this trend effortlessly elevates your style and creates a glamorous, red-carpet-ready finish.

WHITE DESIGNS 

White designs for prom nails exude timeless elegance and sophistication. From intricate lace patterns to minimalist geometric shapes, these designs add a touch of refinement that complements any prom dress while keeping the look effortlessly chic.

LACE DETAIL

Lace nail designs add a touch of romantic elegance to any prom look. This intricate and delicate design creates a feminine and sophisticated vibe, perfect for capturing the magic of the evening.

SUBTLE LEOPARD PRINT NAILS

Depending on your style, too much leopard print can feel overwhelming, which is why modern, subtle leopard print nails are a great choice. With the print angled across the tips of your nails, it adds a touch of sass without making you look like a walking zoo.

OFFSET COLORS 

Offset colors for prom nails create a dynamic and eye-catching look with a bold contrast. By strategically pairing complementary or contrasting shades, you can achieve a striking effect that enhances your overall prom ensemble and adds a unique twist to your style.

CHOCOLATE GLAZED NAILS

Chocolate glazed nails bring a rich, indulgent touch to your prom look with their glossy, deep brown finish. This luxurious shade adds a sophisticated twist to your ensemble, making a bold statement while maintaining an elegant charm.

DAZZLING DESIGNS 

Dazzling designs for prom nails elevate your look with a touch of glamour and sparkle. Whether featuring intricate glitter patterns or bold, eye-catching embellishments, these designs ensure your nails shine brightly and become a standout feature of your prom ensemble.

VANILLA CHROME NAILS

Vanilla chrome nails offer a sleek, shimmering finish that adds a touch of modern sophistication to your prom look. The subtle, creamy sheen provides a chic and understated elegance.

GLITTER AND FEATHERS

Glitter and feathers for prom nails combine playful sparkle with unique texture, creating a standout look that’s both glamorous and fun. This eye-catching design adds a touch of whimsy and sophistication, making your nails a memorable highlight of your prom ensemble.

BRIGHT LAVENDER 

Can you say “lavender haze”? What better color for spring than a bright and vibrant lavender?

METALLIC LAUREL LEAF NAILS

Sprigs of gold laurel leaves give this nail design a Grecian Goddess vibe. Ideal for those who appreciate subtle contrast and texture mixing, this style pairs matte nude polish with metallic gold for an elegant touch.

MARBLE EFFECT 

Marble effect nails add a touch of luxury and sophistication to your prom night look. This trendy design mimics the intricate patterns found in natural marble, creating a unique and eye-catching effect.

A POP OF RED 

A pop of red on your nails is a bold and glamorous choice for prom night. This classic color exudes confidence and passion, making it a perfect complement to any outfit.

WHITE & GOLD GEOMETRIC MANICURE

Draw inspiration from the art deco era with this white and gold geometric manicure. Inverted triangles of white and metallic gold polish converge in the center, creating a chic design reminiscent of a half-moon French manicure.

TURQUOISE CHARM 

Turquoise charm nails add a vibrant pop of color with their striking, oceanic hue. This eye-catching shade infuses your prom look with a refreshing and stylish touch that stands out beautifully against any ensemble.

GOLD GLITTER GRADIENT TIPS

Gold glitter gradient tips offer a dazzling and sophisticated touch to your nails with a seamless blend of shimmering gold. This elegant design adds a touch of glamour to your prom look, catching the light with every movement.

BLACK AND LEOPARD 

Black and leopard nails offer a bold and edgy look for prom night. This fierce combination exudes confidence and style, perfect for those who want to make a statement.

NEUTRAL MARBLE 

Neutral marble nails offer a sophisticated and understated look for prom night. This design combines the elegance of marble with the versatility of neutral tones, creating a chic and timeless aesthetic. Whether you choose a subtle swirl of beige and white or incorporate hints of gold or silver for added glamour, neutral marble nails are a perfect choice for a modern and refined prom look.

CONCLUSION

With countless nail design possibilities, choosing the perfect look for your prom night can be overwhelming. But remember, the best nail art is one that reflects your personal style and makes you feel confident. From classic elegance to bold and daring, these 30 prom nail ideas offer inspiration for every taste. So, experiment, have fun, and let your nails be the crowning glory of your unforgettable evening.

7 BEST BIRTHDAY NAIL SET IDEAS WITH LASTING QUALITY

Calling all birthday nail enthusiasts with a birthday coming up! Ready to ditch the chip worries and rock a stunning manicure that lasts? Look no further! We’ve curated 7 of the best birthday nail set ideas specifically designed for birthday nails, ensuring both eye-catching designs and long-lasting wear. Get ready to celebrate your special day with fabulous nails that won’t quit!

OUR TOP PICKS

BEST POLISH: ESSIE GEL COUTURE LONGWEAR NAIL POLISH + TOP COAT KIT

If you’re aiming for a gel manicure look without the UV drying light, Essie Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish is an excellent choice. This polish, which has a thick, non-dripping formula, applies like regular polish and dries to a hard, glossy finish that mimics a professional salon manicure. We wore these nails for over two weeks and experienced minimal chipping, comparable to professional gel manicures. Removal is straightforward with acetone, leaving your nails healthy and undamaged.

While lamp-cured gel polishes dry faster, Essie Gel Couture takes about 15 minutes to fully dry. However, its staying power is impressive, and we loved the vibrant colors and the well-preserved condition of our nails after removal. If you want a gel-like manicure without the need for a UV lamp, this polish is the best option.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 15 minutes
  • Lamp Included: No

BEST FOR TRAVEL: LE MINI MACARON LE MAXI DELUXE GEL MANICURE SET

The Le Mini Macaron compact kit is ideal for on-the-go manicures. We gave it top marks for ease of use, drying time, finished appearance, and nail health post-removal. Despite gel kits often being intimidating for beauty newbies, this kit from Le Mini Macaron is user-friendly and fun, even for beginners. The gel lacquer dries quickly with the included LED lamp, leaving nails glossy and hard in just one minute. However, the travel-friendly lamp is small, so you’ll need to dry your thumb separately.

While we loved the quick-drying, glossy finish, the polish began peeling within a few days and was completely gone soon after. Longer-lasting results might be achieved by using a nail-prepper product, applying thinner coats, or drying nails for a longer time. Despite the short staying power, our nails were not damaged, making this kit an excellent travel choice.

  • Shades: 2
  • Dry Time: 1 minute
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST VALUE: GELLEN GEL NAIL POLISH KIT

For a more comprehensive option, the Gellen Gel Starter Kit is a great choice. We awarded this kit perfect scores for ease of use and were impressed with the 12 included bottles of polish, various nail embellishments, grooming tools, and UV lamp. The instructions recommend drying each coat for 60 seconds under the light, but we found our nails were still tacky after a minute. Extending the drying time to 90 seconds yielded better results.

Once painted and dried, we loved the appearance of our gel manicures. The colors were vibrant, and the polish dried smooth with a glossy finish. However, the lacquer began to chip around day six and was completely peeled off by day eight, making soak-off removal unnecessary. While we wish the polish lasted longer, this feature-rich kit offers great value.

  • Shades: 12
  • Dry Time: 90 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST FOR BEGINNERS: SALLY HANSEN SALON PRO GEL STARTER KIT

If you’re new to gel nails, Sally Hansen’s beginner-friendly Salon Starter Kit is perfect for you. This kit earned a perfect score for ease of use, thanks to its simple three-step process and lightning-fast drying time. Curing your nails with the included LED lamp takes only about 30 seconds.

Once dried, our nails were smooth, super shiny, and hard without any stickiness. Although the kit comes with only one color, additional bottles can be purchased separately. Despite the promise of up to two weeks of wear, our manicures didn’t last very long. The gel began to peel when we cleaned around the house, even with gloves on. This kit may not be ideal for those who work with their hands, but it’s a great option for anyone looking to try gel nails at home.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 30 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST BUDGET: SENSATIONAIL GEL STARTER KIT

Looking for a budget-friendly option? The SensatioNail Gel Starter Kit is a solid choice. The instructions can be a bit confusing, so we recommend reading through them thoroughly before starting. While this kit wasn’t the easiest to use initially, the process should be smoother the second time around. We were pleasantly surprised by how quickly the lacquer dried with the included LED lamp, but for the best results, we suggest applying thinner layers of paint and taking your time.

The brand claims up to two weeks of wear, but we noticed chipping after about a week—slightly longer than regular polish but not as durable as a professional gel manicure. Although this affordable kit comes with only one polish color, you can purchase additional bottles individually to expand your collection.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 3 minutes
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST FOR NAIL CARE: RED CARPET MANICURE PRO 45 STARTER KIT

If you prioritize skincare, it’s important to care for your nail beds and cuticles too. This comprehensive kit includes everything from cuticle oil to sealing top and base coats, along with cleansers, foil wraps, cuticle pushers, and more. The gel hardened into a shiny gloss on our nails in just 45 seconds and stayed smooth with minimal chipping for nearly two weeks.

We did notice that the brushes were a bit uneven and frayed, making it challenging to cover all the edges perfectly. However, with a steady hand, we applied the glossy shades, confident that our nails and skin were protected. After removing the polish two weeks later, we were pleased to find our nails as strong as ever.

  • Shades: 1
  • Dry Time: 45 seconds
  • Lamp Included: Yes

BEST OVERALL: MOROVAN NAIL KIT

Morovan’s Poly Gel Kit earned perfect scores for drying time, finished look, staying power, ease of removal, and nail integrity post-removal. We only marked it down for ease of use due to a slight learning curve. However, the instructions were thorough and easy to follow, and the illustrated how-to booklet was very helpful.

This set includes everything needed for a professional-level manicure, plus some fun embellishments and extras. It comes with eight polish shades, including six solid opaques and two ombrés. The kit also includes a primer, a dehydrator, a base coat, a top coat, an LED lamp, and various tools for grooming your nails and cuticles.

The most challenging component was the nail extensions, as the kit includes extension gel and shaping foil to help you create your desired length and shape. Once the gel was applied, the drying process was smooth and straightforward.

After two weeks, only two extensions had fallen off, and the stunning color and shine remained. When it was time to remove the polish, the gel came off easily with the help of a scraping tool. If you’re up for the challenge of DIY gel extensions and want a long-lasting manicure, this kit is an excellent choice.

  • Shades: 8
  • Dry Time: 2 minutes
  • Lamp Included: Yes

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING AN AT-HOME GEL KIT

STAYING POWER

One of the main attractions of at-home gel nails is their promise of professional-level longevity. The products, tools, and formulas should provide similar results to what you’d get at a salon. However, many kits we tried didn’t last more than a week. Various factors can influence this, including improper use of the kits, daily wear and tear on your nails, and not thoroughly removing natural oils from your nails before painting. For best results, carefully read all instructions and follow the manufacturer’s nail care suggestions, and consider wearing reusable gloves when cleaning and doing dishes.

INCLUDED SHADES

While some at-home gel kits come with multiple polish shades, many starter sets only include one or two. However, additional colors are often available for individual purchase, allowing you to gradually expand your collection with shades you’ll actually use. An extra bottle of white nail polish is great for classic French manicures and the trendy “glazed donut” nails.

CURING LAMP

Most kits come with a UV or LED lamp, which is essential for curing and drying gel polish. As celebrity nail artist Elle Gerstein explains, “Gel polish needs a UV light to cure/dry and provides a chip-free manicure that lasts much longer than regular nail polish.” Depending on the lamp’s bulbs and wattage, each coat will take anywhere from 30 seconds to three minutes to cure. Most of our top picks, except for Essie’s Gel Couture Longwear Nail Polish, include an LED/UV lamp.

REMOVAL

Gel manicures typically require soak-off removal. This involves soaking 10 cotton pieces in pure acetone, placing them on your nails, wrapping them in foil, and letting them sit for about 15 minutes. After soaking, the polish usually scrapes off easily. If you prefer not to make multiple trips to the store, consider the Red Carpet Manicure Pro 45 Gel Starter Kit, which includes foil wraps, gel polish remover, and more.

CONCLUSION

So there you have it! With these seven fantastic nail set ideas, you can celebrate your birthday with stunning nails that last. Whether you crave a classic French manicure, a touch of playful glitter, or a bold, eye-catching design, there’s a perfect option for you. So go forth, embrace your beautiful nails, and rock a birthday mani that shines as bright as you do!