This post is all about graduation nail ideas.
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The entire train of events for your graduation is so much fun - you are celebrating a significant milestone in life, and you also get to incorporate your personality into the journey. What better way to commemorate your big day than with the best graduation nails?
There are so many nail styles to tie together your graduation outfit and be the center of attention on your graduation day! Here are our favorite graduation nail ideas to tie your stunning outfit together for any of your graduation season events.
Here are 28 Graduation Nail Ideas to Make a Statement.
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Graduation Nail Ideas
1. Classic French Tips
Okay, so you can’t go wrong with French tips - they are timeless, and you can incorporate any color and design into this style. You can take advantage of a classic and elegant design with a simple french manicure or add a pop of color with a bright neon tip.
2. Pastel French Tips
It is so difficult to go wrong with this design. You can incorporate your school colors or keep it simple! Not to mention these nails look incredible in photos holding your diploma!
3. Nude Nails
Yet another timeless and classy nail design that will go with any graduation party, school color, or outfit. Nude nails don’t have to be boring, though - you can incorporate creativity into bare nails by adding a design in other neutral colors.
4. Neutral Swirls
These super simple, clear coat base nails use neutral swirls to add a hint of design and creativity to the color of natural nails. This set would look stunning with a beige or white graduation outfit.
5. Short Nails
The best thing about nails is they are unique and customizable by you - if long nails aren’t your thing, you can still look stunning with these short nail designs. Short nails give you a great excuse to go with a design modeled after your school colors or one you’re graduating from. You can also add adorable decals like this cap and graduation year.
6. Classy Graduation Nails
You can even opt for a set of classy graduation nails with this combination of nude and gold - which would be a great option if gold is a part of your school colors.
7. School Colors
What better way to celebrate graduation than to decorate your nails in school colors? Whether you’re using the school you are graduating from or the college you’re heading to - it can be a great accent to your outfit and in photos on your big day!
8. Matching Nails to your Tassel
This photo shows how great your grad photos will be when you match your nails to your school’s colors - the purple, gold, and yellow make an impact against her graduation tassel with the same colors.
9. Pastel Colors
This design is gorgeous and is perfect for spring or summer. This pastel rainbow design is stunning if you’re looking for a subtle pop of color without committing to neon nails.
10. Pastel Swirls
You can get creative with this design, too - you can marble colors together, even the pastel version of your school colors, to create a unique design. This one, in particular, even added gold foil for added texture.
11. Bright Colors
It’s your big day - you’ve graduated! Make a bold statement with these bright colors and neon designs. This design is more subtle because it uses a neutral base with neon green and pink accent swirls.
12. Bright Ombre
You could opt for a bolder look by taking inspiration from these bright-colored ombre nails - pink and orange are such a gorgeous combination. These would look perfect at a luau graduation party.
13. White Graduation Nails
White nails are similar to french tips in that they are timeless and classic - you can opt for a simple design like these by adding a touch of glitter. This makes them super versatile and will go with any outfit - not to mention the photos will look fantastic.
14. Starry Bright
You could also get creative and add some designs and pops of white to a neutral nail to create aesthetic white nails.
15. Black Nails
The best graduation nails are the ones that speak to you and your personality - these nails would be perfect for you if you’re graduating or looking to get into an art degree. They’re subtle and artsy with the line art of the face.
16. Black & White
You can also be bold with this stunning black-and-white geometric-accent design. They are eye-catchers and will look so good in photos of you and your diploma, holding your graduation cap, or celebrating with friends and family.
17. Pink Ombre Nails
These nails are the epitome of classy subtlety. They aren’t bland, and they also aren’t in-your-face bright either. Pink ombre nails are a great way to bring out the natural shade of your nails but add a bit of spice to create a subtle pop of color.
18. Nude Ombre
You can also create this effect with more neutral colors if you want to make your nails match any outfit - or you’re not a fan of pink. Either way, these ombre nails are the queen of subtle class.
19. Matte Finish
Not all nail designs need to have a glossy top coat. A sleek matte finish can look just as incredible for your graduation day. The color combination of these matte nails is beautiful, and you can use any of the other designs we mentioned or even use your school colors with a matte finish instead of a glossy one.
20. Seeing Red
You can use a bolder color toned down by the matte finish. This burgundy would be beautiful if your school colors match this tone.
21. School Mascot
This nail design is so cute for your grad party - you can use the mascot of the school you graduated from or the school you’re going to next as graduation nail art! This design is entirely customizable to your unique personality and future. Imagine how cute these nails look wrapped around a diploma and posted to Instagram.
22. College Pride
We love this design, paired with a graduation gown or sweatshirt with the college or high school name - stunning!
23. College Colors
You can completely customize this design. You don’t have to include any imagery on your nails. You can simply alternate with colored polish to match your college colors - but the images make a statement.
24. Grad Year
You could class it up by using this simple design instead. A solid school color for all but two of the nails, and use the last two for your grad year, your athlete numbers, or something else creative.
25. Summer Nails
These summer nail designs are stunning - and since most graduations are on the cusp of summer - what better way to celebrate than with nails to match? This design combines a matte finish with a nude base explicitly, with leaf designs for a pop of color. I love this vibe for an outdoor graduation party.
26. Pastel Fields
These are perfect if you’re looking for subtle yet adorable nail art. The yellow is such a stunning summer shade, combined with the dainty flowers - obsessed! This set would pair nicely with a yellow dress of the same shade as the nails.
27. Chrome Angel
This nail look is angelic, simple, and sophisticated - perfect for your graduation day. This design is gorgeous and reminds me of the Hailey Bieber glazed donut nail trend. This would contrast perfectly with a darker outfit or stand out just enough in a light and bright outfit.
28. Subtly Simple
This nude nail with subtle accents of gold lines makes this nail look effortless and polished. The perfect nail look to offset a photo with friends on your big day or a picture of you and your deservingly-earned diploma.
Your graduation is your big day. It’s a time to plan and envision your future, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun and sport a new nail look that goes perfectly with your big day as a graduate. Whether you’re looking for a design that matches your school colors or a unique and sophisticated design, these sets are great options.
While each design may be popular, you can make it your own by adding your personality and interests shine through.
