@POP_POLISHED / INSTAGRAM
When we think of Y2K nail trends, butterfly manis instantly come to mind. And like most early aughts beauty trends, this insect-inspired nail look has returned to the spotlight once more. These days, butterfly manicures are more creative than ever. We’ve seen simple takes that feature just one detailed butterfly on an accent nail and others that incorporate the design in maximalist ways.
Need some inspo? We’ve rounded up 21 butterfly manicure ideas that are truly fly (pun intended). See all of the nail looks below.
01
of 21
Rainbow Butterfly Nails
@NUKA.NAILS / INSTAGRAM
The more color, the better. To add a vibrant appeal to your butterfly manicure, opt for a variety of rainbow polishes. This look features 10 different shades—from yellow to hot pink.
Luscious Lavender Butterfly Nails
@LOLO.NAILEDIT / INSTAGRAM
Pastel polish is the perfect backdrop for butterfly accents. You can recreate this exact look using Nails.Inc’sFeeling So Fly Nail Polish and Sticker Set ($12).
Blue Butterfly Nails
@THEHANGEDIT / INSTAGRAM
Feel free to zoom in on the incredible details of these butterflies. When the art is this intricate, it’s best to keep the rest of the nail nude to let it shine. All the different angles of the insect nail art add to the allure of the look.
Baby Pink Butterfly Nails
@CHAUNLEGEND / INSTAGRAM
Looking for a butterfly nail idea with a little more glitz and glam? Then this is the mani for you. The baby pink polish and rhinestones up the ante.
Butterfly French Nails
@NAILEDBYKATIE_ / INSTAGRAM
This mani certainly puts the “art” in nail art. The butterfly wings alone are magnificent, but then there are the abstract French tips topped with silver beads. This intricate manicure is sure to elicit tons of compliments.
06
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Blue Butterfly Nails
@NUKA.NAILS / INSTAGRAM
This manicure combines two of the buzziest nail trends—French tips and butterflies. Periwinkle blue serves as an excellent backdrop hue for purple butterflies. This look is perfect for those who aren’t afraid to play around with color.
07
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Pixie Dust Butterfly Nails
@BRUSHEDBYB_ / INSTAGRAM
As this look proves, butterfly manis don’t always have to be so literal. This abstract take is truly striking. The shimmery topcoat gives it an ethereal, fairycore feel.
08
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Peach Butterfly Nails
@GLOSSHOUSE / INSTAGRAM
“Peach Fuzz” is the Pantone color of the year—and it’s the perfect base for these delicate butterfly designs. The chrome tips and cuticle outlines add a luxe touch to the peach nail look.
09
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Pink Butterfly Nails
@TIFFANYABBIGAILEBEAUTY / INSTAGRAM
This Barbiecore butterfly manicure is playful and pretty. We love how each long stiletto nail features a subtle ombré effect and large pink butterflies.
10
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White Butterfly Nails
@LOLO.NAILEDIT / INSTAGRAM
Make the butterfly motif really stand out with a white base (use Static Nails’ Liquid Glass Lacquer in Elixir, $16). Only painting half a butterfly on each nail gives the manicure an abstract feel.
11
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Green and Blue Butterfly Nails
@POP_POLISHED / INSTAGRAM
If you choose to recreate this mani, you won’t be able to stop staring at your nails. The two-tone shimmery French tips are stunning—and the butterfly accents add another fabulous twist to the look.
12
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Purple and Blue Butterfly Nails
@HEYGREATNAILS / INSTAGRAM
Bring the beauty of spring to your fingertips. The glittery butterfly designs on the middle and pointer finger balance the rest of the sparkly set.
13
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Gradient Butterfly Nails
@BAHNANNANAILS / INSTAGRAM
Can’t choose one color? Go with five. This gradient manicure features ornate butterfly wings in various shades (from purple to yellow) on each nail.
14
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Black Butterfly Nails
@CELESTE_M_BEAUTY / INSTAGRAM
This all-black mani gives butterfly nails a goth makeover. Rhinestones and silver streaks add levity to the edgy design. It’s an unexpected take on a butterfly nail idea, but we’re totally into it.
15
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Sheer Butterfly Nails
@CHAUNLEGEND / INSTAGRAM
Sheer, jelly nails are very of the moment. Add butterflies, and you’ll be perfectly on-trend. A different color polish on each hand—in this case, hot pink and baby blue—gives this already fun mani more of a whimsical spin.
16
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Fairytale Chrome Butterfly Nails
@HEYGREATNAILS / INSTAGRAM
This mani is a magical work of art. Each nail is meant to look like an up-close snapshot of a butterfly wing. The chrome finish and black detailing make this look even more intriguing.
17
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Silver Velvet Butterfly Nails
@HEYGREATNAILS / INSTAGRAM
A velvet chrome manicure is so chic and cool—and this take shines bright. It pairs solid velvet periwinkle nails with butterfly wings on the ring and middle finger.
18
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Velvet Butterfly Nails
@HEYGREATNAILS / INSTAGRAM
This velvet mani is incredibly ethereal. The velvet berry base is mesmerizing on its own, but the white butterfly wings and gemstones make the look even more dreamy.
19
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Stained Glass Butterfly Nails
@BAHNANNANAILS / INSTAGRAM
This butterfly-inspired manicure reminds us of stained glass windows. The beauty of this look is that each nail is different. The look is anchored with a solid purple polish on the thumb and features intricate wing detailing on the rest of the fingers.
20
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Marble Butterfly Nails
@BAHNANNANAILS / INSTAGRAM
Marble manis always look so cool—they look even more fantastic with pastel shades. Take this look further by adding vibrant butterfly nail stickers and gold decals to each nail.
21
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Silver Chrome Butterfly Nails
@POP_POLISHED / INSTAGRAM
Enhance your blush aura nails with chrome butterflies. Here, the butterfly nail art is split between the thumb nails to create an eye-catching, artistic design.
