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20 Minimalist Nail Art Ideas For Your Next Manicure

Because you don't need bells and whistles to make a statement.

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From the micro French to intricate details, minimalist nail art is here to stay thanks to trendsetters such as Betina Goldstein, Julia Diogo and Georgia Rae. As the 'clean girl' mani takes over our Insta feeds, incorporating a touch of nail art brings personality while keeping things chic.

'I love a clean, sheer nude nail all year round but adding details dependent on the season is a great way to switch it up and have a little more fun with it,' says Rae, who's mastered the art of plump, juicy-looking nails.

DIY Your Minimalist Manicure

'I’m loving neon at the moment, worn as minimal details on the nail such as a super thin French tip,' explains Rae. Tangerines, hot pink and jungle green are only some of the season's most popular colours. Here, Rae breaks down the steps to creating your own easy nail art.

  1. Onto a clean, filed nail apply a tinted base coat such as OPI’s Nail Envy, this will provide a base shade for your French mani without layering too much product on the nail.
  2. Once completely dried, decant a small amount of your favourite neon nail polish onto some tin foil. Using a thin nail art brush, glide the polish around the edge of the nail following the natural shape.
  3. Finish with a top coat.

Toothpicks and gold leaf (available in specialty beauty supply stores such as Naio Nails) are also useful to have in your manicure kit for creating easy confetti and polka dot designs and adding some sparkle. Shaky hands? Ciate's nail art stickers are practically foolproof.

Ahead, ELLE edits 20 minimalist nail art designs to inspire your next understated manicure.

1

Monochrome Mani

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When in doubt, go monochrome. Even better when it's done in this ultra-cool reverse French.

2

Geometrical Gem

Amp up a neutral manicure with graphic lines and tonal shades.

3

Light Hearted

Focusing your nail art on a single nail adds a blink-and-you'll-miss-it detail to an otherwise plain manicure.

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4

Fine Lines

Matching your nails to your fave linen shirt design? Don't mind if we do.

5

Fly High

Discreet little butterflies brings an unexpected touch to a French mani.

6

Connect The Dots

You might need a magnifying mirror to create dots this fine, but the end result is 100% worth it.

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7

Curves Ahead

Play with soft white curves on a translucent base for an ultra-chic approach to nail art.

8

Oh So Clean

French tips are hardly groundbreaking but when they're this immaculate...who can resist?

9

Pops Of Colour

Not quite nail art per se, but this unexpected colour combo (who knew olive green and powder blue could work?) ticks all the right boxes.

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10

All In The Detail

A French tip, but not quite. The low-key wavy lines is a subtle way to update the classic look.

11

Berry Cute

Fruity designs are always fun for summer. We love this minimalist take, with delicate blueberries on a translucent nail.

12

Rainbow Brite

Minimalist doesn't have to mean boring. This punchy manicure take neon to the next level.

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13

Bloomin' Pretty

Florals doesn't always have to be bright and loud. This minimalist take is equally dreamy (especially for wedding season).

14

Colour Pop

More Yayoi Kusama than confetti, this polka dot nail art is all kinds of cool (and you can use every shade in your stash...).

15

Practical Magic

A hint of gold and navy always looks expensive. All you need is a steady hand and some gold leaf.

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16

Rainbow Touch

We love this twist on the multicolour French tip. Why stick with one hue when you can have two on each nail?

17

Safari Vibes

Animal print made chic with ivory fine lines on a neutral, glossy base.

18

Sunshine Tips

Canary yellow lends a pop of cheering colour that's perfect for high summer.

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19

Soft Petals

A dreamy take on florals with watercolour petals peeking through each digit.

20

Pretty In Pastels

Keep it cute with dainty daisies in sorbet shades.

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