30 Navy Nail Looks Ranging From Simple to Show-Stopping

meet the expert

Jan Arnold is the co-founder of nail-care brand CND.
Rachel Joseph is a nail artist who works in Los Angeles and New York City.

Ahead, explore 30 navy nail ideas below to inspire your next manicure.

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Liquid Blue Marbles

“I love this design because it looks like liquid, smooth marble, but also wave-inspired,” says Arnold. “The blues blend together beautifully with a pop of smoky white to really tie it all together.”

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Rich and Monochrome

Lights Lacquer At Last ($11) is a gorgeous true navy blue. It's a rich shade with depth thanks to subtle gray undertones.

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Minimalist Lines

This is a minimalist negative space manicure designed by Paintbox using Marine ($18) by Bio Seaweed Gel. "I love how timeless this mani is. Great for those new to nail art," says Joseph.

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Slim Lines

Similar to the Paintbox look above, this design showcases how you can do the same minimalist line design on an opaque base instead of a natural nail.

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Deep Cobalt

This Lights Lacquer polish is the perfect shade if you want something deep but not dull. The hue has a ton of vibrance and the high-shine top coat makes it even more eye-catching.

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Royal Shimmer

Spice up navy nails by opting for a glitter polish. This deep blue-purple lacquer packed with shimmering and ultra-fine cobalt flakes is House of Hades ($15) from Moon Cat.

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Black, Blue, and Brown

Black & Blue + navy nails — @nailsbymaki.nyc

This nail tip design uses dusty shades of blue and brown anchored by black lines for a moody, yet graphic look.

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Gray Navy

“This is a gray navy that is a one-coat wonder,” nail artist Erika Michelle writes in her Instagram caption for this manicure selfie. “I was in the mood for a very moody mani and remembered that I had this one in my stash to try.” She used the shade What Is This ($10) from Jessie Monroe Nail Care.

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Cocktail Hour

I'm obsessed with this stunning look. It uses a navy so deep it leans purple to create these strong swirls for a beautifully balanced look.

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Navy Chrome

Combine navy nails with a chrome powder finish for a strikingly dark, yet reflective look.

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Alternating Tips

Lights Lacquer At Last ($11) is paired with a light green polish to create this look. Instead of creating tips with a bare base, the artist chose to use two opaque shades and alternate which one serves as the tip and which serves as a base, creating a graphic, yet simple pattern.

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Cat Eye Shimmer

Cat eye polishes are so fun because each nail comes out a bit differently. This blue polish has tons of dimension and movement for extra pop.

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Matte Navy

A matte topcoat can totally change the look of a polish. This look features matte navy nails with a single beige glossy nail as a contrasting accent.

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Evil Eye

This high-gloss design features two little evil eyes on each hand, creating a subtle yet impactful look.

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Thin Swirls

Three shades of blue — navy, denim, and baby — create this design. It features thin swirls of each color atop a nude base.

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Thick Swirls

Swirls are often done on a nail base, so I love this look, which utilizes the trendy design on an opaque blue base, creating a fun monochromatic look.

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Feeling Blue

Navy doesn't have to be the star of your nail look — let it play a supporting role by pairing it with a gradient of other blue hues. This look uses Lights Lacquer polish in the shades Secret Garden ($11), At Last ($11), Blue Moon ($11), Cold Case ($11), and Misfit Toys ($11).

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Mixed Finishes

What makes this gradient so fun is that it uses similar blue hues in different finishes. It uses Lights Lacquer polishes in the shades I’ll Be Home ($11), Woman (discontinued), At Last ($11), and Barry ($11).

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