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The Very Best Navy Nail Inspiration For Your Next Manicure
A chic, transitional tone for spring
If you're not quite ready to embrace spring-ready butter yellow or matcha green manicures but are looking to shift away from wintery nails, navy is not only a classic tone, it's also a great transitional colour.
Session manicurist Ami Streets agrees. 'Navy polish is always in style and instantly adds edge to any ensemble,' she tells ELLE, adding that she prefers to keep her deep blue tips 'short and chic', and not just on the hands, either.
'Dark yet elegant, this sophisticated shade is still super versatile and looks great as an alternative to classic black - especially as a pedicure,' she says.
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How to wear navy nails in 2025
Rich sapphire tones bring a sense of sophisticated luxury to various forms of nail art - be it French tips, marble nail designs, or even cat-eye styles.
Streets is a big fan of pairing navy blues with aquatic hues. 'Turquoise, teal and seafoam green emulate exotic shades of the ocean and provide the perfect complementary colour paired with a deep navy, it's a trending colour palette for SS25 that's inspired by nature,' she shares, name checking Kure Bazaar's Coeur for its ' beautiful blend of blue-green hues with a shimmering finish'.
For some unexpected juxtaposition, she recommends leaning into Pantone's colour of the year, Mocha Mousse. 'It works really well with navy blue - this combination balances cool and warm tones, creating a beautiful contrast. This classic colour combo is often used in fashion and interiors for its timeless appeal,' says Streets.
Or, go for a shot of tangerine. 'Orange and navy work well together as they are complementary on the colour wheel and there are so many combinations that work. My favourites for summer are a bright coral such as Kure Bazaar's Java to add energy to your manicure or soft peach for a more pared-back, pretty vibe.'
More of a minimalist? You can keep things low-key and natural with a single block of colour done on impeccably shaped, clean nails. Try Essie Aruba Blue for a bright navy, Sally Hansen's Midnight Drive or The Gel Bottle's Royal Navy gel for a rich tone, or go for Nailberry Blue Moon for a hint of metallic.
Best navy nail designs to bookmark now
True Blues
In honour of her son Jack Blues, Hailey Bieber swapped her glazed nails for rich navy talons created by Zola Ganzorigt.
Starry Eyed
Manicurist Michelle Humphrey's starry take on glimmering navy proves that shimmers work well beyond party season.
High Shine
Bristolian nail artist Charlotte Cliff's extra glossy take on the bright navy tone is guaranteed to turn heads.
Touch Of Silver
A softer, yet no less futuristic take on navy. Silver tones and thin organic lines remind us a thundering sky.
Midnight Hour
Photographer @browngirlhands wears Essie's Caviar Bar, an intensely dark, midnight navy. A great way to embrace a rich tones without opting for black.
Work Of Art
Manicurist Sabrina Gayle's marble nail design version of navy nails feels elevated yet maintains a minimalist vibe.
Earthy Vibes
For something a little subtler, try BioSculpture's Blue Mushroom, which has a slight grey undertones.
Spring Ready
No matter the weather outside, this butterfly wing-inspired nail art is guaranteed to put the spring back in your step.
To Infinity And Beyond
Channel your inner maximalist with a cat-eye style navy nails complete with flecks of shimmer.
French Navy
When in doubt, deep blue French tips are always tres chic, as digital creator Stephanie Yianni demonstrates.
In Bloom
This floral design by Amber Hancock will instantly lift those Monday blues.
Shine On
Not quite ready for a block of colour? Try experimenting with navy Swarovski crystals instead. It's guaranteed to spark conversations.
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.
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