There's no end to the possibilities of spicing up your manicure! There’s decals, stencils, stamps —the list goes on. The problem is, most of these nail designs are old, too complex, or just boring.
That’s where rhinestones come in. Whether you want to glam up your everyday style or wear them for a special occasion, rhinestones are one of the best ways to take your nail game to the next level. They’re versatile, unique, and simple to apply.
The best part is you can use them in many different ways; from adding them as accents on your nails to making them the centerpiece of your design. To help you get started with this trend, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite simple rhinestone nail designs.
11 Ideas for Simple Rhinestone Nail Designs
1. French Manicure With Rhinestones
While we can't deny the charm of a classic French manicure, sometimes it's fun to mix things up. Adding rhinestones to your french manicure is a great way to make them pop and stand out without going overboard. You can add them anywhere on your nail —at the base of each nail tip or just on one or two nails if you prefer.
2. Sparkle Glam Matte Nails
This nail design is the perfect way to add some glitz and glamour to your nails. The rhinestones over the matte base make this look really stand out while keeping it subtle enough that it doesn’t overpower everything else going on with your look.
You can use any color you want for your base, but make sure it complements the rhinestones! You can also play with different sizes of rhinestones, depending on how much bling you want.
3. Stiletto Nails
The classic stiletto nail design, which is characterized by long, thin nails and a pointed tip, is great for showing off rhinestones. The sharp point of the stiletto-style nail allows for easy application of rhinestones and a clean line around the nails, while the length and width make it possible to create designs that are both intricate and colorful.
You can add a single rhinestone in the center of each nail makes for an elegant look, or use a variety of small rhinestones in different colors to create a fun pattern.
4. Glitter Coffin Nails With Rhinestones
This is a simple rhinestone nail design that looks good on any occasion. Coffin nails are essentially just long, straight nails with a very little curve. They look like a coffin that comes up to your fingertip. These can be classy and sophisticated, or edgy and punk —it's up to you!
You can paint them with any shade of glitter, and apply rhinestones on top to enhance their sparkle and add a unique dimension to the design.
5. Ombre Rhinestones Nails
Another fun way to incorporate rhinestones into your manicure is by using an ombre effect where the colors gradually blend together from the lightest at the top (e.g, white) down through darker shades until reaching black at the bottom (or vice versa).
Once you’ve decided on the range of colors you want, you can try adding rhinestones to give your nails an extra touch of shine. You can put them right where both colors blend, on top of one of the two shades, or add them as a border around the entire nail.
6. Bold Rhinestone Nails
If you've painted your nails with a bold color, such as red or electric blue, you can add just a touch of elegance by using rhinestones as a top coat. Instead of only picking out black or gray rhinestones, consider using blue, purple, or silver rhinestones to balance out the design and tone down the red or blue shade of your nail polish.
7. Flowers With Rhinestone Design
From subtle floral accents to colorful blooms and intricate acrylic details, acrylic flowers design can add a burst of personality to your manicure. In order to make your flowers more vibrant and attractive, use rhinestones. Some nail design professionals even use rhinestones to create flowers and leaves that are more realistic looking than other methods like airbrushing or stamping.
8. Swarovski Rhinestone Design
If you've got a special occasion coming up, a Swarovski rhinestone design is the perfect way to make your outfit pop. These rhinestones are made of Swarovski crystals —the same crystals used in high-end jewelry and accessories— so they're not only gorgeous but also incredibly durable. You can wear these nails wherever you go and they'll hold up just fine.
They also come in an array of colors and sizes and can be used as accents or even full-on nail art designs.
9. Rhinestone Acrylic Nail Design
This nail design uses rhinestones on an acrylic base coat, which gives it a more natural shine as compared to other types of nail art. Most people use a soft-color base for all the nails and cover at least one with rhinestones. You can also add them around the edges, or place just one in the middle.
Just remember: when choosing your rhinestone colors, try to stick with the same tone or lighter shades so everything looks cohesive when put together!
10. Discreet Nail Design
A lot of people are afraid to wear rhinestones because they think they may look too flashy or the design may be over-the-top. However, it’s totally possible to go for an understated nail design with rhinestones.
For example, you can try pastel base colors like pale pink or lavender and add a couple of rhinestones on the tips of your nails for a classy touch. You can also choose only one nail and cover it with a small half-moon shape with a larger rhinestone in the center —this adds some bling without going overboard!
11. Butterfly Effect Design
This is one of the most popular designs for rhinestone nail art. It consists of a lot of rhinestones scattered around your nails in a pattern that looks like butterfly wings. The design can be done on any number of fingers, but it often looks best when used as an accent on one or two nails.
You can use a series of different colors in a contrasting palette to create a look that’s both fun and sophisticated, and it's also really easy to DIY!
Final Thoughts
From French manicures to Swarovski crystal designs, these ideas will add a touch of elegance and personality to your nails. With rhinestones, the possibilities are endless, and the best part is that they're easy to apply. Don't be afraid to mix things up and try different colors and sizes of rhinestones. Whether you're going for a bold or subtle look, rhinestones are a versatile and unique way to spice up your nail game.