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This one's for all my nail art minimalists. Manicure Pillow

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.

A post shared by Lauren ✨ (@lolo.nailedit)

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

A post shared by Samantha 🌹 (@samrosenails)

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

A post shared by Samantha 🌹 (@samrosenails)

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

A post shared by Betina R. Goldstein (@betina_goldstein)

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

A post shared by GEORGIA RAE (@raelondonnails)

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

A post shared by Paintbucket (@paintbucketnails)

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

A post shared by ❤ Hang Nguyen ❤ (@thehangedit)

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

A post shared by The Mani Club (@themaniclub)

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

A post shared by Charlotte 🦋 (@charsgelnails_)

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

A post shared by @nailsbyashleighr

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

A post shared by Catherine Hong (@smile___nails)

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 Powerful Red

A post shared by ❤ Hang Nguyen ❤ (@thehangedit)

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

A post shared by Charlotte 🦋 (@charsgelnails_)

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

A post shared by Melanie (@overglowedit)

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

A post shared by Amy Le (@amyle.nails)

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

A post shared by Izzy Moulder - Hertford (@izzylilybeauty)

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

A post shared by ℕ𝕒𝕚𝕝𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕘𝕚𝕤𝕥🤍 (@dianamarienailz)

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

A post shared by Melanie (@overglowedit)

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

A post shared by 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢♥ (@pop_polished)

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

A post shared by Pretti Nails (@prettinails)

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

A post shared by Alexandra | Nail Artist (@thehotblend)

These nails are giving me Ed Hardy vibes in the best way possible. Early aughts fashion is back, after all! By keeping the French-mani-meets-fire-emoji design white and the base polish sheer, it maintains a level of tasteful, not tacky.

✨ Recreate it with: Gucci Glossy Nail Polish in 715 Winterset Snow

A post shared by @nailsbyashleighr

This groovy design could look a little costume-y if it was done with, say, a neon nail polish. Instead, nudes and whites keep this retro motif looking modern and polished (pun intended). To me, it feels like a chic piece of art from artist Hannah Polskin, but in nail form.

✨ Recreate it with: Mented Nude Nail Polish in Yes We Tan

A post shared by Izzy Moulder - Hertford (@izzylilybeauty)

In between two shades and can’t pick one that you like enough for a full mani? This here-and-there design is for you. You get a tiny taste of brown and cream on each nail, but the majority remains naked. Commitment-phobes, you’re welcome.

✨ Recreate it with: Pearnova Classic Nail Lacquer in Michelle Our Mama

A post shared by Nicky nails (@nickyynailss)

Whether you got your nails done at a salon or tried your literal hand at a DIY mani, you can easily elevate the look by applying a few gems along your cuticles. This design also doubles as a way to buy you more time between manis because the gems can be used to cover your growth.

✨ Recreate it with: Nail Art Rhinestone Kit

A post shared by @nailsxkimburllllyy

Your hair isn’t the only place you can play with an ombré effect. The dark-to-light gradient looks stunning as a natural nail design. In this case, the “dark” is a soft neutral base that fades into a crisp white at the tips.

✨ Recreate it with: Glamnetic Creme de Nude Press On Nails

A post shared by GEORGIA RAE (@raelondonnails)

Black and white polish plus this simple French mani design is exactly what minimalist manicure dreams are made of folks. It's giving me Chanel vibes and I'm obsessed.

✨ Recreate it with: Zoya Nail Polish Quad in Winter Wishes

A post shared by Samantha 🌹 (@samrosenails)

This teal and blue combo just screams surfer girl to me. Like, I can practically see these nails on Kate Bosworth’s character in Blue Crush. If you’re all about that ocean air and Cali waves, these are for you.

✨ Recreate it with: Essie in Mint Candy Apple

A post shared by Lauren ✨ (@lolo.nailedit)

If you’re of the “leopard is a neutral” camp, I’m with ya. Making the feline spots even more wearable, this mani features only two or three on each nail with a versatile base of pink. Oh and did I mention that the spots are special effect nail toppers? No design skills required! Meowwwww.

✨ Recreate it with: Nails Inc. Prowling in Paddington Leopard Spot Topper Nail Polish

A post shared by Brown Girl Hands (@browngirlhands)

If you ask me, brown just might be the new black. And this brown on brown nail combo is just so damn good, I can't get enough. @browngirlhands DIY'd this look with The Editorial Nail's Kaffé Latté reusable press-ons, but you can also freehand a similar vibe using brown polish.

✨ Recreate it with: The Editorial Nail's Reusable Press-Ons in Kaffé Latté

A post shared by Kristin Laymon (@laym_nailz)

Typically reserved for claw hair clips and sunglasses, tortoiseshell is making its way onto nails with this upgraded French design. It’s still extremely understated, but is also a fun enough way to switch things up when you get tired of your same-old mani.

✨ Recreate it with: J. Hannah Nail Polish in Ghost Ranch

Lisa DeSantis is a freelance beauty editor with eight years of experience writing about hair, makeup, nails, and skin, including cleansing conditioners and protein treatments. She researched Instagram and Pinterest to find the best natural nail art ideas.

Uv Gel Lamp Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has been researching, writing, and editing nail stories for four years, including New Year's nail ideas and Christmas nail art. She has a mile-long Pinterest board of nail designs, including natural nail art.