12 Ombre Nail Looks for Every Level of Skill Set

French fades, sunset skies, glitter gradients, and more.

21 March, 2018
12 Ombre Nail Looks for Every Level of Skill Set

French fades, sunset skies, glitter gradients, and more.

Whole-Hand Gradient

Let's start with the most basic style of ombre. This requires little to no skill, other than knowing how to paint your nails. Choose five shades of polish that vary from lightest to darkest for a left-to-right ombre across each finger.

Design by @karengnails

1Whole-Hand Gradient

Let's start with the most basic style of ombre. This requires little to no skill, other than knowing how to paint your nails. Choose five shades of polish that vary from lightest to darkest for a left-to-right ombre across each finger.

Design by @karengnails

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Glitter Fade

Another easy look is the glitter ombre. Paint your nails in your favorite shade, then apply a glitter-based polish to your tips. Lightly add more product to the middle of your nail, but keep it denser at the ends.

Design by @theillustratednail

2Glitter Fade

Another easy look is the glitter ombre. Paint your nails in your favorite shade, then apply a glitter-based polish to your tips. Lightly add more product to the middle of your nail, but keep it denser at the ends.

Design by @theillustratednail

Individual Nail Gradient

For the true gradient look, check out this Instagram video by @ohmygoshpolish. Start with a white base coat and cover the surrounding skin with nail latex to protect from inevitable overspill. Apply your colors—lined up next to each other—on a makeup sponge and dab it onto your nail. Repeat and reapply polish until you receive your desired effect. Finish your nail off with a top coat (which will act as a final ombre-ing tool, melting the colors together once more).

Design by @ohmygoshpolish

3Individual Nail Gradient

For the true gradient look, check out this Instagram video by @ohmygoshpolish. Start with a white base coat and cover the surrounding skin with nail latex to protect from inevitable overspill. Apply your colors—lined up next to each other—on a makeup sponge and dab it onto your nail. Repeat and reapply polish until you receive your desired effect. Finish your nail off with a top coat (which will act as a final ombre-ing tool, melting the colors together once more).

Design by @ohmygoshpolish

Vampy Ombre

For a vampy color combo, choose your go-to red with black edges.

Design by @karengnails.com


4Vampy Ombre

For a vampy color combo, choose your go-to red with black edges.

Design by @karengnails.com


Horizontal Ombre

The same effect also works horizontally, like this sandy beach look.

Design by @formulaxnail

5Horizontal Ombre

The same effect also works horizontally, like this sandy beach look.

Design by @formulaxnail

Diagonal Ombre

Or diagonally, in this four-color combo inspired by Instagram's logo.

Design by @amyytran

6Diagonal Ombre

Or diagonally, in this four-color combo inspired by Instagram's logo.

Design by @amyytran

Ombre + Stickers

Add black nail stickers for a silhouetted sunset design, throwing it back to old school press-ons.

Design by @allnailseverything

7Ombre + Stickers

Add black nail stickers for a silhouetted sunset design, throwing it back to old school press-ons.

Design by @allnailseverything

Tape + Ombre

Tape off your half moon to combine a negative nail design with an pink ombre.

Design by @palemoonseattle


8Tape + Ombre

Tape off your half moon to combine a negative nail design with an pink ombre.

Design by @palemoonseattle


Negative Half Moon Ombre

Or try another negative half moon, but edge the bottom with gold nail tape.

Design by @ aliciatnails

9Negative Half Moon Ombre

Or try another negative half moon, but edge the bottom with gold nail tape.

Design by @ aliciatnails

Ombre + Lisa Frank

To get this Lisa Frank design, start with a white base to make your neon ombre brighter. Then use a nail stamp to paint black on top for a flower lattice design.

Design by @clairestelle8

10Ombre + Lisa Frank

To get this Lisa Frank design, start with a white base to make your neon ombre brighter. Then use a nail stamp to paint black on top for a flower lattice design.

Design by @clairestelle8

French Fade

For this muted french fade, you might have to head to the salon for an ombre gel nail.

Design by @yiredelcastillo

11French Fade

For this muted french fade, you might have to head to the salon for an ombre gel nail.

Design by @yiredelcastillo

Super Kawaii Ombre

If that minimal nail is too bare, get a super kawaii ombre look with crystals and flower embellishments.

Design by @riyathai87

12Super Kawaii Ombre

If that minimal nail is too bare, get a super kawaii ombre look with crystals and flower embellishments.

Design by @riyathai87

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