30 Best Natural Looking Nail Designs and Ideas to Try for 2023

This one's for all my nail art minimalists.

Trust me when I say nail art isn't just for maximalists. Yes, statement-making chrome manis and vibrant marble nails may be all over your feed, but more natural-looking nail designs are equally cool for 2023. The beauty of minimalist nail art and manicures done with subtle, neutral polishes is that they won't clash with whatever you're wearing, and you won't tire of them as quickly as you would with a bolder design. Also great: Most natural nail designs are shockingly easy to DIY, so you can experiment with different mani ideas without spending a ton of $$ or making a trip to the salon.

Are you sold yet? Great, because I did hours of IG scrolling to bring you this roundup of the 30 best natural nail designs and ideas of 2023. From modern French manicures to pearl-studded accent nails, there's something for everyone on this list.

Euphoria-inspired makeup can be intimidating for minimalists, which is why I recommend getting in on the trend with a wavy mani like this one here. It's subtle but still cool, and all you need is a clear base coat, opaque white polish, and a few tiny gemstones to DIY.

✨ Recreate it with: Nailtopia Nail Lacquer in So Fresh, So Clean

There’s just something so stylish about nude nails, and this look ups the ante with a gem placed on each tip. This requires essentially no experience, because all you have to do is paint your nails with your favorite neutral polish and then pop a sticky gem on top.

✨ Recreate it with: Londontown Nude Mood Collection

Nail stickers are all the rage these days because they’re inspired by professional nail art, but don’t require a steady hand. These still give off the same vibe as a carefully drawn on smiley, just without the time or expertise it takes to actually draw one.

✨ Recreate it with: Deco Miami Checkered Stickers

This is for anyone in their Wednesday era. The barely-there black tips on these clear nails can be achieved by dipping nails into black polish rather than painting the polish on.

✨ Recreate it with: Sundays Nail No.42: Onyx Black

If your go-to mani is in a pale pink polish shade, the easiest way for you to experiment with nail art is by using nail dotting tool to add subtle black and white dots at the base of each nail. Of course, you can use any color polish for the dots, but I personally love the black and white vibe.

✨ Recreate it with: Sally Hansen Salon Pro Tool Kit

These nails are almost all white, except for one tiny strip where the natural nail peeks through for a negative space moment. The crisp white color keeps things fresh while the unpainted band helps to keep grown out nails looking intentional. I have this one saved in my summer nail art folder.

✨ Recreate it with: Emilie Heathe Nail Artist Striping Tape

If you love the fashion and beauty moments from Emily in Paris, these nails are for you. The quintessential French mani gets a seriously cute but subtle upgrade by way of pearl accents.

✨ Recreate it with: Ulta Beauty Collection Nail Gems You’re Pearlfection

Futuristic and shimmery but still suitable for minimalists, the sharp, graphic diagonal lines make this metallic silver polish look cool and modern. It's a stunning winter nail art option IMO.

✨ Recreate it with: Essie Nail Polish in Jingle Belle

This ultimate fall nail look for minimalists. The brown accent nail on the ring finger and tiny dots at the cuticle channel autumn vibes without trying too hard.

✨ Recreate it with: OPI Nail Polish in Cliffside Karaoke

Finally, a celestial-inspired mani that feels understated enough for everyday wear. I love how crisp and clean the contrast is between the white and rose gold stars on the cloudy pink base.

✨ Recreate it with: La Pierre Cosmetics Nail Polish in Cherry Blossom

If you want to get in on TikTok’s red nail trend without fully committing, this is the look for you. Get ready for the compliments to start rolling in—don’t say I didn’t warn you.

✨ Recreate it with: Chanel Le Vernis in 528 Rouge Puissant

These nude nails are far from basic, thanks to the black graphic triangles placed in the corners. This one may take a little more dexterity than some of the other designs on this list, but it’s still well within the bounds of minimalistic nail art.

✨ Recreate it with: Winstonia Super Fine Nail Art Brush Set

These red hearts on the white background almost look like they were drawn on with Sharpie as an afterthought, but I don’t hate it. I actually love how casual and cool the floating hearts are and that they’re placed in a different spot on each nail. A perfect nail idea for Valentine's Day if you ask me.

✨ Recreate it with: Ardell Play Pen Art Pen

You know the beautiful swirl that happens when you add creamer to your morning espresso? That’s what this reminds me of. Just look at those delicious layers of creamy white, caramel, and chocolate. Yum.

✨ Recreate it with: China Glaze Sorry I'm Latte Nail Lacquer

Maybe an unlikely place to take inspo from, but there’s no denying that these “concrete wall-inspired” nails are pretty cool. My favorite part is the imperfect gold line that runs the length of the nail–it really elevates the textured design.

✨ Recreate it with: Olive & June Polish in AW

The gradient nail trend is flirty and fun, but instead of painting the full nail with a different shade of blue polish, these hearts do the trick. If blue isn’t your hue, not to worry, this look can be done with any mix of colors.

✨ Recreate it with: Sundays Nail Polish in L.03: Milky Blue

Why do only one line for a French mani when you can do two? Oh, and in gold instead of white? Yes, please! Any metallic shade is sure to stun, but this yellow gold polish really pops.

✨ Recreate it with: Zoya Nail Polish in Goldie

By turning the traditional half-moon tips into a heart shape on only two nails, this take on a French mani feels decidedly more modern. It’s perfect for V-day or whenever you’re feeling the love.

✨ Recreate it with: Mischo Beauty Nail Polish in Worthy

Shiny nails get all the love, but can we take a minute for this monochromatic matte number? I can’t imagine anything chicer to go with a cozy, bundled up look. Something about these matte nails just says “pairs well with cashmere sweaters” to me.

✨ Recreate it with: OPI Matte Top Coat

Full-on zebra print can be overwhelming to look at for 3+ weeks your mani lasts, but with little touches here and there, we promise you won’t be getting sick of this design anytime soon. You can also tone this look down by only applying the zebra print to one nail instead of multiple as an accent nail.

✨ Recreate it with: Jinsoon Nail Polish in Absolute Black

Lisa DeSantis is a freelance writer who has been in the beauty industry for nearly ten years. She began her career in beauty and fashion at QVC and has since written for and contributed to top women’s magazines and digital brands such as Health, Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Motherly, Byrdie and more. She has tested thousands of products and considers herself a professional guinea pig who’s always on the search for the next big trends in beauty, wellness and beyond.

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.

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